THE United Nations General Assembly designated the first week of February as the World Interfaith Harmony Week in 2010. The General Assembly emphasized that mutual understanding and interreligious dialogue are essential aspects of a culture of peace and established World Interfaith Harmony Week to promote harmony among all people, regardless of their faith.
Recognizing 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 spread the message of interfaith harmony and goodwill in the world’s churches, mosques, synagogues, temples and other places of worship during that week, on a voluntary basis and according to their own religious traditions or convictions, according to the United Nations.
World Interfaith Harmony Week (WIHW), conceived to promote a culture of peace and nonviolence, was first proposed by King Abdullah II of Jordan at the United Nations in 2010. This was quickly adopted by the UN General Assembly (resolution A/ RES/65/5), declaring the first week of February each year as World Interfaith Harmony Week, calling on governments, institutions and civil society to observe it with various programmes and initiatives that would promote the aim of the WIHW objectives.
Myanmar is home to more than 100 ethnic nationalities residing in all parts of the country. No ethnic group discriminates against the residents of other ethnicities in their regions. They all live in unity and collaborate based on the spirit of the Union. They firmly believe that everyone has the right to live anywhere in the country, as all areas are their shared homeland, inherited from their forefathers.
At the same time, they do not discriminate against different faiths or impose a threat on people with different beliefs. They show respect for all religions. In the Constitution (2008), Section 362 stipulates: “The Union also recognizes Christianity, Islam, Hinduism and Animism as the religions existing in the Union at the day of the coming into operation of this Constitution,” and Section 368 features: “The Union shall honour and assist citizens who are outstanding in education irrespective of race, religion and sex according to their qualifications.”
Since ancient times, the people of Myanmar, comprising more than 130 ethnic groups, have lived together through thick and thin, sharing the same destiny. They have fostered a harmonious interfaith tradition, passing it down through generations as a national heritage. Therefore, they must successfully uphold the theme of the commemorative day: ‘Living Wisdom: Meditations and Practices for a Compassionate Life.’
