Toronto celebrates Interfaith Harmony Week
World Interfaith Harmony Week will be celebrated in Toronto next week, February 1 – February 7, with activities across the city.
The World Interfaith Harmony Week provides a platform – one week in a year – when all interfaith groups and other groups of goodwill can show the world what a powerful movement the interfaith community is.
The week allows for people of various faiths, cultures and traditions to become aware of each other through activities designed to bring them together and recognize that the common values we hold far outweigh our differences.
Based on The Common Word initiative, World Interfaith Harmony Week was first proposed to the UN General Assembly on September 23, 2010 by H.M. King Abdullah II of Jordan and unanimously adopted on October 20, 2010.
In the words of its founding declaration “World Interfaith Harmony Week seeks to bring together all people of good will, regardless of faith or no faith, to learn about each other and find ways to work together on common agendas.”
The Toronto Steering Committee was established in October 2012 and members currently represent Buddhist, Catholic, Christian, Hindu, Interfaith, Lutheran and Muslim communities.
| Wednesday February 1 2017 | |
| Reach Out Youtube Video Release
St Philips Lutheran Church house band No Fixed Address collaborated with other musicians to create a music video reflecting the 2017 theme for Toronto’s World Interfaith Harmony Week. HOST No Fixed Address, St Philips Lutheran Church
Multi Faith Fire Ceremony 6:00pm to 9:00pm, University of Toronto Multi Faith Centre, 569 Spadina Ave, Toronto Three faiths, the Hindu, Zoroastrian and Indigenous Peoples, will share their fire ceremonies HOST Pandit Suraj Persad, Dr Jehan Bagli, Elder Cat Criger
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| Thursday February 2 2017 | |
| Mysticism Then and Now-Judaism, Hinduism and Islam In Word and Song
6:45pm to 9:00pm, Darchei Noam Synagogue, 864 Sheppard Avenue West, Toronto An exploration of mysticism via word, song and music HOST Darchei Noam, Intercultural Dialogue Institute, Vishnu Mandir
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| Saturday February 4 2017 | |
| Faithful Living; Celebrating Commonality In Our Diversity
10:30am to 2:pm, Regent Park Community Food Centre, 40 Oak St., Toronto A gathering of Toronto’s youth communities will gather and produce a video in which they tell us how they look at interfaith and commonality in Canadian society. HOST Metropolitan United Church, Intercultural Dialogue Institute
An Evening of Interfaith Performing Arts 6:30pm to to 9:30pm, Noor Cultural Centre, 123 Wynford Drive, North York, Ontario A unique concert featuring music, poetry, dance and more performed by individuals and groups of diverse faith backgrounds. HOST Noor Cultural Centre, Toronto Steering Committee |
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| Sunday February 5 2017 | |
| Film Screening: Words With God
1:00pm to 4:30pm, Innis Town Hall, 2 Sussex Ave, Toronto A film screening and panel discussion HOST World Association for Christian Communication, Diaspora Film Festival
Invocation of Peace 1:30pm to 3:00pm, Annapurna, 1085 Bathurst St Toronto A program of prayers, chants, singing and other traditional faith based presentations HOST Sri Chinmoy Meditation Centre
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| Monday February 6 2017 | |
| Spiritual Dialogue Circle
7pm to 9pm, Don Heights Unitarian Congregation, 18 Wynford Drive Suite 102 Toronto, Ontario This evening will be devoted to a discussion around this year’s theme, Reach Out HOST Spiritual Dialogue Circle
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| Tuesday February 7 2017 | |
| Culture & Religion Intertwined: How Do We Stay True To Ourselves?
6:00pm to 9:00pm, Croft Chapter House, University College, 15 King’s College Circle, Toronto HOST Ryerson Christian Muslim Students Association
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For information and event listings, visit: www.interfaithtoronto.ca