The United Nations (UN)’s World Interfaith Harmony Week (WIHW) is annually observed across the globe during the 1st week of February (1-7 February) to promote a culture of peace and nonviolence among people irrespective of their faith.
- WIHW 2024 is observed from 1-7 February 2024.
Objective:
i.WIHW is a global initiative aimed at fostering harmony and tolerance among peoples of diverse religions, faiths, and beliefs across the world, including those people with no faith.
ii.It seeks to do this by promoting their common basis of “Love of God and Love of the Neighbour, or Love of the Good and Love of the Neighbour”.
iii.This mantra teaches all people of goodwill and the power of kindness, charity, and healing. It includes those of other faiths and those with no faith.
Background:
i.WIHW was first proposed at the UN General Assembly (UNGA) on September 23, 2010, by H.M. King Abdullah II of Jordan.
ii.On 20 October 2010, UNGA adopted the resolution A/RES/65/5, declaring the 1st week of February as World Interfaith Harmony Week.
iii.The first-ever WIHW was observed on 1-7 February 2011.
Points to note:
i.WIHW is based on the pioneering work of an open letter entitled “A Common Word Between Us and You” (ACW) authored by Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad of Jordan.
ii.ACW signed by 138 Muslim scholars and leaders was addressed to some 28 Christian leaders and their churches, inviting them to agree on a basis for relations with Muslims in 2007.
iii.The ACW declared the common ground between Islam and Christianity based on the 2 great commandments of ‘Love of God, and Love of the Neighbour’.
iv.WIHW extends the 2 Commandments by adding ‘Love of the Good, and Love of the Neighbour’.
About United Nations (UN):
Secretary-General– António Guterres
Headquarters– New York, USA
Established in– 1945
