Events commemorating the UN World Interfaith Harmony Week 2011, organized by chapters of the Universal Peace Federation, World peace can be fully accomplished only when the wisdom and efforts of the world’s religious leaders are combined cooperatively and respectfully with the endeavors of national political leaders. Absent the recognition of spiritual principles, the world has drifted increasingly toward analyses and prescriptions that are materialistic and secular in nature. In so doing, we have lost sight of the profound wisdom to be found in humanity’s spiritual heritage. Global institutions must be built on a foundation that takes into account the full potential of the human being, not only as a political, economic, and social being, but also as a spiritual being with spiritual needs and a capacity for spiritual wisdom and insight. The legacy of the world’s great saints, prophets, sages, and spiritual leaders cannot be denied or discounted without ignoring what is most fundamental about the human being. In too many ways the history of religion has been marked by narrow sectarianism, strife, and competitive struggle with other faiths, all to the detriment of the cherished goals and teachings of the founders and scriptures. This cannot continue. The need to eliminate corruption, selfishness, and bad governance applies not only to all nations but also to all of the world’s religions. Lasting peace depends on cooperative partnerships between governments and religions, as well as NGOs and representatives of the private sector. The United Nations can benefit from a council of religious and spiritual leaders to bring broad vision and wisdom to the effort to address critical global problems. International conferences, publications, networking, and on-the-ground activism are mechanisms for interfaith cooperation and lay a foundation for spiritual renewal at the United Nations.

1. UN General Assembly Resolution
20 October 2010
“Encourages all states to support, on a voluntary
basis, the spread of the message of interfaith
harmony and goodwill in the world’s
churches, mosques, synagogues, temples and
other places of worship during that week, based
on love of God and love of one’s neighbour or on
love of the good and love of one’s
neighbour, each according to their own religious
traditions or convictions.”

2. UPF’s Contributions
•The Universal Peace Federation held a major
Interfaith Conference and celebration in Seoul,
South Korea.
UPF encouraged its chapters to hold events in
•
celebration of the UN Week of Interfaith Harmony.
UPF co-sponsored an event at the United
•
Nations in partnership with the Committee of
Religious NGOs at the United Nations.

3. INTERFAITH
HARMONY Seoul, Korea: Interfaith Assembly
WEEK 2011
The program promoted interfaith cooperation in order to manifest to a
divided world the way to enduring peace.

4. INTERFAITH
HARMONY Interfaith leaders preparing to speak
WEEK 2011
Discussions of peaceful transitions to democracy emphasized the
responsibilities of religious and spiritual leaders to help defuse long-
standing tensions between different ethnic and minority groups.

5. INTERFAITH
HARMONY A welcome from the Grand Mufti of Seoul
WEEK 2011
“All human beings are brothers and sisters. The Quran tells us we are
here to love one another.” - Dr. Abdul Wahab Zahid Haq, Grand Mufti
of Seoul, Korea

6. INTERFAITH
HARMONY Unity in diversity
WEEK 2011
“I truly believe that with vision and leadership, within ten years, we can
transform the entire world to end poverty, disease, family breakdown,
violence and war.” – Ida Odinga, Ida Odinga Trust, Kenya

7. INTERFAITH
HARMONY Building a covenant of faith
WEEK 2011
“A covenant of faith is quite different. It is made by people who share
dreams, aspirations, and ideals. They don't need a common enemy,
because they have a common hope.” - Edwin Shuker, Trustee,
Sephardic Voices, United Kingdom

8. INTERFAITH
HARMONY Address from the UPF Chairman
WEEK 2011
“When we are lacking in spiritual discipline and wisdom, peace is not
possible. Peace arises when we are in a right relationship with God,
when our mind and body are united.” – Rev. Hyung Jin Moon,
International Chairman, UPF

9. INTERFAITH
HARMONY Seoul, Korea: Interfaith Assembly
WEEK 2011
“God calls upon us leaders - especially religious leaders - in hope that
we will stand against the injustices and evils of the world, and bestow
His true love upon the world.” - Rev. Dr. Sun Myung
Moon, Founder, Universal Peace Federation

10. Selected International Reports
Barbados Japan Solomon Islands
Canada Kazakhstan St. Lucia
Cote d’Ivoire Korea Switzerland
Germany Malaysia Thailand
India Moldova Taiwan
Indonesia Nepal USA
Israel Russia
Italy Slovakia

11. INTERFAITH
HARMONY Bridgetown, Barbados
WEEK 2011
“The true value of life is not found in riches or fame, but in the simple
finer things in life: love, peace, harmony, and happiness.” - Rev. Peter
Oscar Phillips, President, Barbados National Peace Council

12. INTERFAITH
HARMONY Montreal, Canada
WEEK 2011
“Harmony requires that we deliberately alter our behavior and our
attitudes so that we can hear our brothers and sisters in God.” - Rev.
Samuel King-Kabu, St. Ansgar Lutheran Church

13. INTERFAITH
HARMONY Ottawa, Canada
WEEK 2011
The National Capital Peace Council met to listen to a Catholic priest
discuss ways that religious people can address social evils.

14. INTERFAITH
HARMONY Grand Bassam, Cote d’Ivoire
WEEK 2011
In the midst of turmoil following last November's presidential
elections, UPF-Cote d'Ivoire held an interreligious rally at a mosque in
the colonial capital.

15. INTERFAITH
HARMONY Yamoussoukro, Cote d’Ivoire
WEEK 2011
Religious leaders joined hands to pray for peace at a Christian
church in the political capital of the nation.

16. INTERFAITH
HARMONY Munich, Germany
WEEK 2011
Representatives of various religions spoke about their views about
God, reconciliation, and peace building.

17. INTERFAITH
HARMONY Stuttgart, Germany
WEEK 2011
Representatives of several religions discussed their religion’s
contributions to peace and then lit candles for peace.

18. INTERFAITH
HARMONY New Delhi, India
WEEK 2011
Young volunteers from various faiths worked together to clean up a
park.

19. INTERFAITH
HARMONY Jakarta, Indonesia
WEEK 2011
“Interfaith dialogue and cooperation must be reflected in our words
and deeds.” - Dr. H. Abdul Mu’ti, Secretary of the Central Board of
Muhammadiyah

20. INTERFAITH
HARMONY Daliet El Carmel, Israel
WEEK 2011
People from Israel’s diverse faith communities enjoy a traditional
Druze meal honoring Israeli government workers who promote better
interfaith relations.

21. INTERFAITH
HARMONY Pesaro, Italy
WEEK 2011
Representatives of various NGOs talked about ways religious people
can encourage young leaders and work together to help end hunger.

22. INTERFAITH
HARMONY Tokyo, Japan
WEEK 2011
Shinto, Hindu, Buddhist, and Christian leaders offered prayers and
read from their sacred writings.

23. INTERFAITH
HARMONY Almaty, Kazakhstan
WEEK 2011
Participants from various religious backgrounds considered the
qualities of exemplary peacemakers.

24. INTERFAITH
HARMONY Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
WEEK 2011
Muslim, Christian, Hindu, Buddhist, Taoist, Sikh, and Baha'i leaders
participated in a program of prayers, music, and exchanges of ideas.

25. INTERFAITH
HARMONY Chisinau, Moldova
WEEK 2011
Participants in a round-table discussion on “Interfaith cooperation as
the important instrument of establishing the culture of peace in
Moldova”

26. INTERFAITH
HARMONY Kathmandu, Nepal
WEEK 2011
Leaders from seven faith traditions offered their perspectives on
interfaith harmony at a gathering at the Peace Embassy.

27. INTERFAITH
HARMONY Kondopoga, Russia
WEEK 2011
A Festival of Spiritual Music promoted better understanding
and appreciation of various religious traditions.

28. INTERFAITH
HARMONY Moscow, Russia
WEEK 2011
“Show the positive sides of your religion through action and
personal example,” an NGO representative told a youth round-table
forum.

29. INTERFAITH
HARMONY Moscow, Russia
WEEK 2011
Participants in a “Play Football Make Peace” tournament between
teams from four religious traditions congratulated each other for
playing well.

30. INTERFAITH
HARMONY Novosibirsk, Russia
WEEK 2011
An interreligious gathering promoted “love of God and love
of your neighbor as the foundation of world peace.”

31. INTERFAITH
HARMONY Yekaterinburg, Russia
WEEK 2011
Representatives of various religious groups offered prayers for
peace and harmony according to their tradition.

32. INTERFAITH
HARMONY Nitra, Slovakia
WEEK 2011
The Old Catholic Church in Nitra invited other groups to join them in
a prayer and worship service.

33. INTERFAITH
HARMONY Honiara, Solomon Islands
WEEK 2011
The Minister of National Unity, Reconciliation and Peace, along with
several faith leaders, addressed a forum promoting interreligious
understanding.

34. INTERFAITH
HARMONY Anse-la-Raye, St. Lucia
WEEK 2011
Youth leaders of several denominations discussed ways of
addressing the challenges of cooperation across religious
barriers.

35. INTERFAITH
HARMONY Bienne, Switzerland
WEEK 2011
Representatives of Switzerland’s diversity of religions and cultures
participated in an interfaith water ceremony, pouring water into a
common container.

36. INTERFAITH
HARMONY Taipei, Taiwan
WEEK 2011
Buddhist and Christian scholars spoke theoretically about interfaith
cooperation, and NGO representatives described best practices for
promoting understanding among people of different religions.

37. INTERFAITH
HARMONY Bangkok, Thailand
WEEK 2011
Representatives of Thailand’s faith communities assembled for a
discussion about a proposal to establish a national interfaith council.

38. INTERFAITH
HARMONY Washington, DC, USA
WEEK 2011
Diplomats joined civic and religious leaders at an interfaith luncheon
during which H.E. Dr. Hussein Hassouna (right), Ambassador of the
League of Arab States to the US, answered questions about recent
changes in his native Egypt.