Interfaith Dialogue: A Path to Global Peace

Rasool Mogooei

PhD Student in International Relations, University of Isfahan

The World Interfaith Harmony Week is an international event held annually in the first week of February (typically from February 1 to 7) under the auspices of the United Nations. This initiative was established to foster dialogue, mutual understanding, and collaboration among followers of different religions, faiths, and belief systems worldwide. The event was officially recognized in 2010 by the United Nations General Assembly at the proposal of King Abdullah II of Jordan. The primary inspiration behind this initiative stemmed from the 2007 joint declaration of Muslim and Christian scholars titled “A Common Word,” which emphasized shared religious foundations such as “Love of God and Love of Neighbor.” As a result, the guiding principle of this week is articulated as “Love of God and Love of Neighbor” for monotheistic faiths such as Islam and Christianity, and “Love of Good and Love of Neighbor” for non-theistic beliefs such as Buddhism. This initiative strongly underscores the idea that religions, rather than being sources of division, can serve as bridges to peace.

The principal objectives of World Interfaith Harmony Week include:

• Promoting peace through interfaith cooperation;
• Reducing tensions arising from religious differences;
• Encouraging dialogue and collaboration among religious leaders and followers;
• Enhancing awareness of the shared ethical and spiritual values among religions.

Accordingly, the United Nations has not only declared and institutionalized this event but also makes annual efforts to expand interfaith understanding and cooperation on its anniversary. Although World Interfaith Harmony Week is not directly linked to a specific international convention, it aligns with the objectives and principles of several key international documents, including:

1. The Charter of the United Nations (1945) – Article 1 of the Charter defines the objectives of the United Nations as maintaining international peace and security, fostering friendly relations among nations, and achieving international cooperation in addressing global challenges. These principles are directly aligned with the goals of interfaith harmony. Additionally, Article 55 emphasizes respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all individuals, irrespective of race, gender, language, or religion, which resonates with the core mission of World Interfaith Harmony Week.
2. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) – Article 18 of the Declaration affirms every individual’s right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion, while Article 19 upholds the right to freedom of expression and opinion. These provisions form the foundation of interfaith dialogue and religious coexistence.
3. United Nations Human Rights Council Resolution 16/18 (2011) – This resolution, adopted by the UN Human Rights Council, aims to combat discrimination, incitement to hatred, and violence based on religion or belief. The resolution directly supports the objectives of interfaith harmony by advocating for respect, tolerance, and non-discrimination among religious communities.
4. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs, 2015) – Goal 16 of the SDGs seeks to promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, while Goal 17 emphasizes the importance of global partnerships in achieving these objectives. By encouraging interfaith collaboration, World Interfaith Harmony Week contributes to the realization of these goals.
5. The Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions (2005) – Adopted by UNESCO, this convention seeks to protect cultural diversity and encourage dialogue among cultures, aligning closely with the objectives of World Interfaith Harmony Week.

Beyond legal frameworks, international institutions and global initiatives have also played a significant role in fostering interfaith harmony, reducing tensions, and promoting cooperation among religious communities. Notable efforts in this regard include:

• The Abrahamic Family House in Abu Dhabi – This project consists of a religious complex that houses a mosque, a church, and a synagogue side by side, symbolizing the peaceful coexistence of the three Abrahamic faiths—Islam, Christianity, and Judaism. The mission statement of the Abrahamic Family House highlights the vision of bringing people together in peace, embracing religious diversity while upholding shared humanity. The project emphasizes values of coexistence, human fraternity, and multiculturalism, which are integral to the ethos of the United Arab Emirates.
• The “A Common Word” Initiative (2007) – Launched by a group of Muslim scholars, this movement sought to engage in dialogue with Christian leaders by emphasizing common theological principles between Islam and Christianity. Over the years, A Common Word has evolved into one of the most significant interfaith initiatives, fostering deeper religious understanding and collaboration.
• The “Peace Through Culture” International Exhibition in Japan – Organized by the Soka Gakkai International (SGI), a Buddhist-affiliated peace organization, this exhibition underscores the role of culture and religion in fostering global peace. SGI, with its presence in 192 countries and over 30 million members worldwide, actively promotes peace through cultural and religious dialogue.
• The “Neighbors Together” Program in Lebanon – Initiated in the aftermath of Lebanon’s civil war, this program aims to strengthen cooperation between Christian and Muslim communities through joint educational, social, and economic projects. By facilitating interfaith interactions, the initiative has contributed to post-conflict reconciliation and community rebuilding.
• The “Green Peace” Initiative in South Africa – This initiative brings together Christian, Muslim, and indigenous African leaders to resolve local conflicts and promote peace through educational and social programs. While primarily an environmental movement, Green Peace envisions a future in which people coexist peacefully with nature, advocating for environmental and social justice. The organization describes itself as a multicultural and multinational movement committed to fostering peace and sustainability.
• The “Peace Through Sports” Program in Bosnia and Herzegovina – Following the Bosnian War, interfaith initiatives emerged to use sports as a medium for reconciliation. With the involvement of Christian, Muslim, and Jewish leaders, these programs have provided a platform for post-war social integration and peacebuilding through athletic collaboration.

Based on the aforementioned initiatives, it is evident that interfaith dialogue is not merely a mechanism for fostering mutual understanding and reducing religious tensions, but rather a pathway toward a more just and peaceful world. In an era where differences are often exploited as sources of division, such dialogues remind us of our shared human and moral values. Only through respect for diversity and the reinforcement of interfaith cooperation can we build a future where the dignity of every individual, regardless of their religion or beliefs, is upheld.

References

• Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948). Retrieved from https://www.un.org/en/about-us/universal-declaration-of-human-rights
• The 17 Goals (2015). Retrieved from https://sdgs.un.org/goals
• Charter of the United Nations (1945). Retrieved from https://www.un.org/en/about-us/un-charter
• United Nations Resolution 16/18 (2011). Retrieved from https://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/hrcouncil/docs/16session/a.hrc.res.16.18_en.pdf
• Convention to Support and Promote the Diversity of Cultural Expressions (2005). Retrieved from https://www.unesco.org/en/legal-affairs/convention-protection-and-promotion-diversity-cultural-expressions
• Mission & Vision of Abrahamic Family House. Retrieved from https://www.abrahamicfamilyhouse.ae/about-us
• About the Soka Gakkai, A Global Organization. Retrieved from https://www.sokaglobal.org/about-the-soka-gakkai/at-a-glance/a-global-organization.html
• Vision of Green Peace Project. Retrieved from https://www.greenpeace.org/africa/en/about-us-2/