World Interfaith Harmony Week 2024: Date, Theme and History

Every year, ‘World Interfaith Harmony Week’ (WIHW) is organised in the first week of February (1-7). The idea of organising this day came from a resolution of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). It is an annual event organised by UNGA.

Theme of World Interfaith Harmony Week:

• This year's theme of the World Interreligious Harmony Week organised by UNGA is 'Uniting for peace'.
• Whereas last year the theme was ‘Harmony in a Troubled World’.

World Interfaith Harmony Week begins:

• The WIHW was first proposed to the United Nations General Assembly by King Abdullah II of Jordan on September 23, 2010. It was adopted unanimously by the United Nations on October 20, 2010. Since then, the first week of February has been celebrated as World Interfaith Harmony Week. The first WIHW was organised in 2011.
• WIHW builds on the pioneering work of The Common Word initiative. The initiative, launched in 2007, calls on Muslim and Christian leaders to engage in dialogue based on two common fundamental religious commandments. Under this, the emphasis is on love for God and love for neighbours without any compromise with one's own religious principles.
• Under this, governments, institutions and civil society were called upon to celebrate it with various programs and initiatives. This will promote the objectives of WIHW.

Importance of organising WIHW:

• This WIHW is organised to increase mutual understanding, harmony and cooperation among the people.
• The essential need for dialogue between different faiths and religions is emphasised during the organisation of WIHW.
• The General Assembly encourages the spreading of the message of inter-religious harmony and goodwill in churches, mosques, synagogues, temples and other places around the world. During this week, fasting is done on a voluntary basis and following one's religious traditions or beliefs.