February, 2012
A few months ago, I wrote that during the time our organization has been in existence, the number of interfaith groups in the United States has doubled from one to two thousand. We are learning about the same kind of growth all over the world, and are happy to be scheduling events during "World Interfaith Harmony Week," which is the first week in February.
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-when all interfaith groups and other groups of goodwill can show the world what a powerful movement they are. The thousands of events organized by these groups often go unnoticed not only by the general public, but also by other groups themselves. This first week in February will allow for these groups to become aware of each other and strengthen the movement by building ties and avoiding duplicating each others' efforts.
First proposed in 2010 by King Abdullah II of Jordan, it is an offshoot of the Common Word Initiative. This initiative, which started in 2007, called for Muslim and Christian leaders to engage in dialogue. Their website (worldinterfaithharmonyweek.com) lists 348 events in 53 countries!
Our winter series on faith and music is off to a great start and is a wonderful example of how a small community can join a worldwide effort. It is a pure coincidence that we named it "In Harmony -- Exploring Sacred Music through the Ages" and that it falls during "World Interfaith Harmony Week." But then, maybe you don't believe in pure coincidence.
Peace, Salaam, Shalom.
Shirley Bascom