KPU's Annual UN World Interfaith Harmony Week
According to the 2012 Pew Research Study, religious hostility has reached a six-year high. Over 60 countries worldwide have seen the level of social hostility rise to “high” or “very high” levels. Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) wants to be part of the solution.
Every year in February, in accordance with the United Nations World Interfaith and Harmony Week, KPU’s Multi-Faith Centre hosted its Annual World Interfaith Harmony Week celebration!
Check out past Interfaith and Harmony Week events:
2023: Chaplains were back on campus and hosted tabling sessions on the Surrey and Richmond campuses. They posed the following question to the KPU community: "What are your expectations of Spirtual and Secular (non-religious) leadership today?"
2022: KPU chaplains participated in a virtual dialogue session with guest speaker Dr. Michael Bomford from KPU's Sustainable Agriculture Programs. This session explored what gives us hope in this age of climate change and what role religious and secular communties can play both positively and negatively. Our panel of interfaith chaplains included Christian, Sikh, Sufi and Humanist perspectives. To watch the session, click below:
2021: An Interfaith Reflection on Social Issues Part 2
2020:
Background
The United Nation’s World Interfaith and Harmony Week was first proposed at the UN General Assembly in 2010 by H.M. King Abdullah II of Jordan. One month later, it was unanimously adopted by the UN. Moving forward, the first week of February is observed as World Interfaith Harmony Week. World Interfaith Harmony Week provides a platform where interfaith groups and other groups of goodwill can demonstrate what a powerful movement they are. Thousands of events are organized across the world by groups of varying faiths and secular beliefs.
Testimonials
My experience with the UN Interfaith Harmony Week has been inspiring and splendid. I wish I knew about the Interfaith Harmony Week a couple of years ago so I could have taken part in many events in the community. I was very satisfied with the outcome because I met many individuals with different worldviews than my own. I find that interfaith events give individuals an opportunity to learn and expose themselves to worldviews that are different than their own. This is a great opportunity to ask questions, socialize, build friendships, and network with individuals regardless of gender, age ethnicity, religion and sexual orientation. I look forward to attending various interfaith events in the future during Interfaith Harmony Week in the years to come!
- Parabjot K. Singh
