2015 World interfaith Harmony Week Prize Announced

The judges received 93 applications for the prize from over 900 events held in total. The judges are highly appreciative of all the efforts of all those who held events and applied for the prize. They wish they could reward all who held an event, but are consoled by the fact that good deeds are their own reward so that everyone who held an event—whether they applied for the prize or not—is a true winner.

In judging, the judges were mindful particularly of those who had the courage to hold events in areas marked by recent interfaith tension or conflicts. They took into consideration efforts made despite scantiness of resources, but also took into consideration the excellence of efforts. They further took into consideration whether events were consistent with the text of the U.N. Resolution establishing the Prize.

Accordingly, judges did not reward movements towards religious syncretism but rather rewarded events which respected each religion as it is. Finally, in accordance with the terms of the Prize, judges rewarded events specifically celebrating the World Interfaith Harmony Week rather than good interfaith work in general.

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Islamic Books’ Sales Triple in France

Despite the rise of anti-Muslim sentiments across the country, French people curiosity to know more about Islam was reflected in a notable increase in the sales of Islamic books, amid reports of increasing number of reverts in the European country.

“The French are asking more and more questions, and they feel less satisfied than ever by the answers they’re getting from the media,” Fabrice Gerschel, director of Philosophie magazine, told Press TV.

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Rabbis Join Solidarity Ring Around Local Mosque

Rabbi Daniel Goldblatt of Beth Chaim Congregation in Danville and Rabbi Judy Shanks of Temple Isaiah in Lafayette were among the 200 people who participated in a show of support for their Muslim neighbors last week by circling an East Bay mosque with a “Ring of Solidarity.”

The interfaith event took place March 27 at the San Ramon Valley Islamic Center.

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