UN World Interfaith Harmony Week

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The World Interfaith Harmony Week was first proposed at the UN General Assembly on September 23, 2010 by H.M. King Abdullah II of Jordan. Just under a month later, on October 20, 2010, it was unanimously adopted by the UN and henceforth the first week of February will be observed as a World Interfaith Harmony Week.



The World Interfaith Harmony Week is based on the pioneering work of The Common Word initiative. This initiative, which started in 2007, called for Muslim and Christian leaders to engage in a dialogue based on two common fundamental religious Commandments; Love of God, and Love of the Neighbour, without nevertheless compromising any of their own religious tenets. The Two commandments are at the heart of the three Monotheistic religions and therefore provide the most solid theological ground possible.



The World Interfaith Harmony Week extends the Two Commandments by adding ‘Love of the Good, and Love of the Neighbour’. This formula includes all people of goodwill. It includes those of other faiths, and those with no faith.



The World Interfaith Harmony Week provides a platform—one week in a year—which schools, colleges and universities can utilise to create awareness, understanding and thereby mutual respect for different faiths (and non-faith points of view) and cultures.  The Oxford Foundation would welcome an opportunity to work in collaboration with educational institutions on a long term basis to build the UN World Interfaith Harmony Week into their curricula.  Please do not hesitate to contact us to share your ideas for mutual co-operation.



It is hoped that this initiative will provide a focal point from which all people of goodwill can recognize that the common values they hold far outweigh the differences they have, and thus provide a strong dosage of peace and harmony to their communities.



You can download the full UN Resolution here.