Vienna/United Nations, January 31st, 2025 – In a high-profile interreligious conference titled “Harmony among Religions and Cultures – A Precondition for World Peace” representatives of Muslims, Christians and the Austrian Foreign ministry spoke out in favour of a genuine, truthful and grassroots dialogue between religions. Organized by the Universal Peace Federation (UPF), the Coalition of Faith-Based Organizations (CFBOs), the Women's Federation for World Peace WFWP, the Association of UN Correspondents in Vienna (UNCAV) and Youth and Students for Peace (IAYSP) had invited guests to the event.

 

Here you find all speeches delivered at the conference: https://vimeo.com/showcase/11572276?share=copy

 

In his welcoming remarks, Mr. Peter Haider, (video) President of UPF Austria and Chair, NGO Committee on Peace – UN Vienna, stated that UPF and its network of Ambassadors for Peace celebrate the World Interfaith Harmony Week in a way that encourages understanding, respect, and cooperation among people of all faiths for the well-being of our communities and peace in the world. The UPF has organized conferences annually in the UN in Vienna since 2013.

 

With more than 200 participants, this conference at the Vienna International Center of the United Nations provided a pivotal moment for all religions to find common ground. Prof. Dr. Elmar Kuhn, (video) President of CFBOs Europe and moderator of the second session stated: "As people of faith, it is up to us to demonstrate the power of dialogue and the power of compromise in our societies. Let us as religions exemplify what our societies need most: the ability to dialogue."

This dialogue, which serves as a weapon for the human right to freedom of religion, was emphasised by the Jordanian Ambassador H.E Mohammed Sameer Salem Hindawi (video) in his contribution as a keynote speaker. To strengthen the dialogue, the Jordanian King Abdullah II, together with the United Nations, launched the World Interfaith Harmony Week in 2010.

Politics and civil society create a dialogue for human rights.

Under the moderation of the first session by Dr. Afsar Rathor, (video) a former UN Executive (UN Peacekeeping Missions, UNIDO etc.), Min. plen. Alexander Rieger, (video) Head of the Unit for Intercultural and Interreligious Dialogue - Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs in Austria was the first speaker. He particularly emphasized that the creation of trust through dialogue between cultures and religions is an integral part of Austrian foreign policy. Rieger: "I am firmly convinced that solutions can only be found and implemented in close cooperation and coordination between the state and civil society. And religions can play an important and constructive role here by working together for peaceful coexistence!" Rieger also mentioned a newly developed tool to improve civil society exchange: Dialogue Residencies. This program supports a stay for Austrian-based academics in a selected country for a period of one to three months to work on a specific dialogue project. Among the first projects is the three-month internship a young woman is serving in the Amazon together with the NGO “Christians in Need”. This is about ensuring the survival of indigenous villages, whose existence is threatened by illegal gold mining. “Christians in Need” Secretary General Kuhn, who moderated the second panel, confirmed: "This cooperation is a win-win situation. With very few resources, the ground is being prepared here for the long-term survival aid for the indigenous population, some of whom have been settling along the Amazon tributaries for centuries."

Ms. Caroline Hungerländer (video) spoke in two capacities: first, as the Executive Director of the Institute for Environment, Peace, and Development, a publicly funded, Vienna-based NGO dedicated to development, cooperation and peacebuilding and secondly as a person of faith. In conclusion she said: “Perhaps harmony does not mean the absence of any conflict, but rather the ability to manage differences without resorting to violence or oppression. Instead of seeking to homogenize religious beliefs, we should accept and respect their differences. Harmony does not require full agreement – it requires an understanding that religion shapes culture and society in profound ways.  Perhaps, in addressing the great challenges of the 21st century, cooperation – despite differences – must be the goal, not only between religions but also among the people of faith who uphold them.”

Dr. Hassan Mohiuddin Qadri, (video) Chair of the Supreme Council of Minhaj-ul-Quran International Foundation in Pakistan elaborated in great detail on the Medina Constitution, which exemplifies inclusivity, coexistence, multiculturalism and pluralism. It was introduced 1450 years by prophet Mohammed to a society full of ignorance and illiteracy with no system and rules, no tranquillity and peace. He concluded by saying: “Global Peace is well rooted in mutual respect, general understanding, unified collaboration among diverse religious and cultural communities. Let us work together for humanity’s sake and become the embodiment of peace, love and tranquillity for the sake of peaceful coexistence in our world today.”

 

 

 

The second session commenced with a performance by a Peace Choir ensemble, directed by Ira Lauren, of the South-African song „Noyana–Together on the Way to Paradise“ (video).

Pakistan is a touchstone of genuine dialogue in mutual respect. Bishop Humphrey Sarfaraz Peters, (video) the Anglican Bishop of Peshawar in Pakistan, participated especially to present the situation of Christians in Pakistan. He is also the recently elected president of the CFBO‘s Pakistan Chapter, newly founded in 2024 and supported by the Austrian Chapter. The bishop painted a clear picture of some serious inadequacies in Pakistan, such as the often abused blasphemy law. But the contribution of Christians to Pakistan's education and health system is essential. The Christian vote also tipped the scales in favour of Pakistan's independence from India in 1947. The stone cross recently discovered in the mountains of Skardu-Baltistan, which is up to 1500 years old, is another proof of the thousand-year presence of Christianity in northern Pakistan. In his diocese, which nominally extends to Kabul in Afghanistan, dialogue on the grassroots level is the most important contribution to mutual respect among religions.

Dr. Marie Therese Igrec, (video) Head of Education at the Austrian Conference of Religious Orders, explained the unique role of religious education in Austrian schools. The Concordat provides that every legally recognized religious community in Austria may give religious instruction. "This right to receive religious instruction in one's own denomination does not stop at the gates of private Catholic schools. In concrete terms, this means that a Muslim child who attends a Catholic private school in Austria also receives Islamic religious education. The prerequisite for successful interreligious dialogue in common school life is that the students are given space to form their identity in their own religious and cultural roots." Many parents of other religious denominations deliberately choose Catholic schools because of their special sensitivity to religion.

Dr. Androniki Barla, (video) Theologian and Orthodox canon lawyer, titled her intervention “Peace, Reconciliation and Social Cohesion in Religion. The role of the Orthodox Church as a Peacemaker”. The orthodox religious leaders should not be overlooked in any process contributing to peace, social cohesion and positive change. They are often highly trusted and respected in their communities and have both power and influence to change societies for the better. Concluding she said: “Bridge building may sound like a time-consuming challenge. But inviting multiple perspectives, not only into peacebuilding but into any kind of change process, enhances collaboration, innovation and sustainability and gives it a greater chance of success. Initiatives that build bridges between religious and secular stakeholders create mutual confidence and have a larger impact overall, as they improve inclusion and show that cooperation between different groups is possible“.

Art connects what people often try to separate. Examples of the dialogue between cultures from the art scene were then presented by the Armenian photo artist Ms. Tatev Mnatsakanyan. (video) She participated in the Venice and Florence Biennales and gave a performance on the occasion of Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee. With her photo project "Prayer for Peace" she showed photos of spiritual people from different religions, whose faces are overlaid with words from the Book of Lamentations of St. Gregory of Narek from the 10th century. Prof. Kuhn said by way of introduction: "The pictures of Miss Tatev clearly convey how much spirituality unites all religious people. From the heart through eyes and body the connection goes to heaven, from the eternal the connection through body and eyes goes directly back into the heart."

Ms. Marlies Ladstätter, (video) coordinator of Youth and Students for Peace Europe (IAYSP), emphasized the role of the younger generation. Having recently graduated with a Master’s Degree in Peace Studies, she stated: “We often talk about negative peace after ending a war, but religion is emphasising the positive peace, the inner peace. Religion shows us how to align with this positive peace. Ninety percent of teachings in religions are identical, like compassion, justice, kindness, and the dignity of every human being. Interreligious dialogue creates trust and empathy. In the aftermath of the Ruanda genocide and also after the end of apartheid in South Africa Christian leaders like Desmond Tutu championed forgiveness and healing through the truth and reconciliation commission.” She also introduced the Peace Designer program of IAYSP used in Balkan countries, and a program in Lebanon that has provided food to over 1000 people. “We all can practice forgiveness and be examples in living for others. Let us all become peacemakers and let peace start in ourselves.”

 

 

 

 

World Interfaith Harmony Week Österreich – Konferenz am Sitz der Vereinten Nationen - Fähigkeit zum Dialog vorleben

In einer hochkarätig besetzten Interreligiösen Konferenz sprachen sich am Freitag Vertreter von muslimischer, christlicher und staatlicher Seite für eine echten, wahrhaften und basisorientierten Dialog der Religionen aus. Eingeladen hatte unter Federführung von Peter Haider die Coalition of Faith-Based Organizations gemeinsam mit der Universal Peace Federation UPF, der Women’s Federation for World Peace WFWP und die Vereinigung der UNO-Korrespondenten in Wien (UNCAV). Mit mehr als 200 TeilnehmerInnen war diese Konferenz im Vienna International Center der Vereinten Nationen eine Sternstunde des Gemeinsamen aller Religionen. Kuhn: „Als Menschen des Glaubens ist es an uns, die Kraft des Dialogs und die Kraft des Kompromisses in unseren Gesellschaften zu demonstrieren. Lassen Sie uns als Religionen das vorleben, was unsere Gesellschaften am meisten brauchen: die Fähigkeit zum Dialog.“ https://cfbo.international/2025/02/04/world-interfaith-harmony-week-oesterreich-konferenz-am-sitz-der-vereinten-nationen/

 

UN Interfaith Harmony Week: Katholische Schulen und ihr Beitrag zum Frieden

Am 31. Januar 2025 fand in Wien eine Konferenz im Rahmen der „World Interfaith Harmony Week“ der Vereinten Nationen statt. Das Thema der Tagung war: „Harmonie zwischen Religionen und Kulturen – Eine Voraussetzung für den Weltfrieden“. Unter den hochkarätigen Redner:innen war Marie-Theres Igrec, Bereichsleiterin Bildung und Ordensschulen der Ordenskonferenz. Sie sprach zum Thema „Multireligiosität und Friedenserziehung an katholischen Schulen in Österreich“. https://www.ordensgemeinschaften.at/9109/un-interfaith-harmony-week-katholische-schulen-und-ihr-beitrag-zum-frieden

 

Anglikanischer Bischof Peters leitet neu gegründeten pakistanischen Zweig der "Coaltion of Faith Based Organization" und berichtete in Wien über die Situation der Christen in seiner Heimat

Der pakistanische Bischof sprach bei einer internationalen Konferenz im Vorfeld der "Interfaith Harmony Week" (1. bis 7. Februar) der Vereinten Nationen in Wien. Die Tagung stand unter dem Generalthema "Harmonie zwischen Religionen und Kulturen - Eine Voraussetzung für den Weltfrieden". Rund 250 Vertreterinnen und Vertreter von muslimischer, christlicher und staatlicher Seite erörterten Kriterien für einen fruchtbaren Dialog der Religionen. https://www.kathpress.at/goto/meldung/2446175/pakistan-interreligioeses-netzwerk-mit-hilfe-aus-sterreich-gegruendet

 

Exploring Harmony Among Religions and Cultures: A Path to World Peace

The conference organized by the Universal Peace Federation (UPF) represents a significant opportunity to delve into the critical theme of ‘Harmony Among Religions and Cultures’. This event aims to gather diverse participants from various faith-based organizations, and cultural entities to foster an atmosphere of dialogue and understanding. The selection of this theme is particularly pertinent in the context of current global challenges, making the exploration of religious and cultural harmony essential for paving the way towards sustainable world peace. https://menaeditorsnetwork.org/exploring-harmony-among-religions-and-cultures-a-path-to-world-peace/

 

Further information: Peter Haider +43 0650 2588846

 World Interfaith Harmony Week
First proposed at the UN General Assembly on September 23, 2010, just under a month later it was unanimously adopted by the UN and henceforth the first week of February is observed as a World Interfaith Harmony Week. World Interfaith Harmony Week conferences were organized in the UN in Vienna in 2024, 2023, 2022, 2020, 2019, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014 und 2013.

 

 

UPF is an NGO in General Consultative Status with the ECOSOC of the United Nations

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