Seychelles Inter-Faith Council to be launched next week |04 February 2012

The launch will take place on Tuesday February 7 at the Le Relax Hotel and Restaurant at Anse Royale starting at 5pm.
The ceremony coincides with the World Inter-Faith Harmony Week from February 1-7.

World Inter-Faith Harmony Week was proclaimed by the General Assembly in a resolution adopted on October 20, 2010.

In the resolution, the General Assembly points out that mutual understanding and interreligious dialogue constitute important dimensions of a culture of peace and establishes ‘World Interfaith Harmony Week’ as a way to promote harmony between all people regardless of their faith.

Recognising the imperative need for dialogue among different faiths and religions to enhance mutual understanding, harmony and cooperation among people, the General Assembly encourages all States to support during that week the spread of the message of interfaith harmony and goodwill in the world’s churches, mosques, synagogues, temples and other places of worship, on a voluntary basis and according to their own religious traditions or convictions.

The World Inter-Faith 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 organised by these groups often go unnoticed not only by the general public, but also by other groups themselves. The week therefore allows for these groups to become aware of each other and strengthen the movement by building ties and avoiding duplicating each others’ efforts.

It is an initiative that provides a focal point from which all people of goodwill can recognise that the common values they hold far outweigh the differences they have, and thus provide a strong dosage of peace and harmony to their communities.