Mabda Report 20/02/12

World Interfaith Harmony Week Uplifts UN General Assembly

A rare event took place in the UN General Assembly on February 7, 2012: religious and secular leaders from around the world gathered to affirm “Common Ground for the Common Good,” marking the close of the second annual World Interfaith Harmony Week (February 1-7).

The program was hosted by the President of the General Assembly, H.E. Mr. Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser. In his opening remarks, which followed the blowing of a conch shell and a flute by Taino indigenous Roberto Mukaro Borrero, he said, “We recognize and celebrate the values that are shared across religious traditions. These common principles form a common ground that unites us in our rich diversity.”

http://theinterfaithobserver.org/journal-articles/2012/2/14/world-interfaith-harmony-week-uplifts-un-general-assembly.html

U.S. Jewish, Christian and Muslim faith leaders take a six-city tour of Indonesia, Jordan and Israel to discuss the role of religion in advancing peace

The trip announced Thursday, which will include 12 religious leaders from the United States and 12 religious leaders from Indonesia, will be led by Rabbi Sid Schwarz and was being organized by the Interfaith Mission for Peace and Understanding. Participants will leave this weekend.

The idea for the trip arose from conversations between Indonesian diplomats and Schwarz, a senior fellow at Clal: National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership and a founder of the Panim Institute for Jewish Leadership and Values.

http://www.jta.org/news/article/2012/02/17/3091714/schwarz-to-lead-interfaith-tour-of-indonesia-israel-jordan

Pastor, rabbi and sheikh write Interfaith book

Many who participated in the book discussion as part of Interfaith Week left the main branch of Weber County Library feeling uplifted and renewed. A panel of religious leaders and about 30 others participated in the annual event as part of the community's interfaith celebration last week.

http://www.standard.net/stories/2012/02/17/pastor-rabbi-and-sheikh-write-interfaith-book

Interfaith Harmony award for Yusufali

M A Yusufali, Managing Director of UAE-based Emke Group, has won the prestigious Interfaith Harmony Award specially endowed with United Nations’ Interfaith Harmony Week initiatives and observations.

The award will be presented to him during the international seminar on Interfaith Harmony and Tolerance being organised by the International Islamic University, Malaysia and Kerala based Madin Islamic Academy at Kuala Lumpur on March 1.

http://www.khaleejtimes.com/displayarticle.asp?xfile=data/international/2012/February/international_February582.xml&section=international&col=