Toronto celebrates World Interfaith Harmony Week

World Interfaith Harmony Week will be celebrated in Toronto next week, January 31 – February 9, 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.

World Interfaith Harmony Week was officially recognized with City of Toronto Proclamations in 2013 and 2014 with 2 events organized in 2013 and 5 events in 2014.

For information and event listings, visit: www.interfaithtoronto.ca