Invitation to celebrate World Interfaith Harmony Week

** Elements of this column are reprinted from Feb. 2019

World Interfaith Harmony Week is observed the first week of February each year. HM King Abdullah II of Jordan proposed it to the United Nations in 2010. The purpose is to build connections between people of all faiths, highlight and coordinate their good work, and increase our communities’ love, peace and harmony.

Interfaith activities provide opportunities to build on shared beliefs. The Common Word initiative provides the foundation for Harmony Week. This initiative calls on Muslim and Christian leaders to engage in dialog based on the common fundamental commandments of loving God and loving neighbors. These two commandments are familiar to Christians, Jews, and Muslims. World Interfaith Harmony Week expands the Two Commandments, adding ‘Love of the Good, and Love of the Neighbor’ to include all people of goodwill (worldinterfaithharmonyweek.com).

While organizing specific events to promote interfaith harmony is worthwhile, many communities maintain open doors and try to welcome visitors in fellowship. We make valuable connections when we spend time talking to and eating with people of other faiths. Face-to-face interaction is essential to develop empathy and shared experience. Removing your shoes as you enter a sacred space or sharing a meal or conversation helps us connect to our divine nature and origin.

I first heard about World Interfaith Harmony Week four years ago after The Interfaith Council of Anchorage hosted various events to build interfaith fellowship. I wondered what it would take to coordinate similar activities in the Valley. Then COVID hit, and I went back to school, and February continued to come and go. Surely, there are simple ways we can build a stronger interfaith community that go beyond reading the Faith column in our local paper. Perhaps you will have some ideas too.

Reflecting on the commonalities and differences between faith traditions and the individuals who comprise our congregations, I focus on the good and each person’s need for autonomy and agency. We grow as we learn from our choices and act in faith. I find that the spirit increases my capacity to love and accept others whose experiences and interpretations differ from mine (that would be everyone, whether or not they look or practice like me).

The prophet Mormon taught, “All things which are good cometh of God.” He further explained, “that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God” (Moroni 7:12-13). Goodness, love, and service build on common belief and experience. There is much good in the world to bind us together as neighbors and seekers.

God wants us to reach out in love and kindness to everyone, especially those outside our current circles of faith or fellowship. I value freedom of religious belief and practice for all people. The eleventh Article of Faith outlines Latter-day Saint belief regarding religious expression: “We claim the privilege of worshipping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.” As I learn about the values, beliefs, and purposes of worship and faith in different contexts, I appreciate the commonalities and diversity.

You can celebrate International Interfaith Harmony Week by attending an activity or worshipping with a congregation outside your usual circle. Invite someone to go with you. Talk about your beliefs and values with a friend. Learn about someone else’s faith. Set aside the desire to defend or convince.

Thursday, Feb. 9, 5-7 pm, The Interfaith Council of Anchorage will present a no-host dinner followed by a time of sharing. Dinner costs $15. To participate you must send an R.S.V.P. to ifcanchorage@gmail.com by Thursday, February 2. You will then receive the topic paragraphs for discussion on how your faith community would understand the reading.

I don’t know of any specific interfaith events in the Valley this week, but Family Promise is an example of interfaith cooperation to address homelessness in the Valley. All are welcome to come to the Family Promise Mat-Su’s 3rd Annual Comfort Food Fundraiser Dinner at Church on the Rock (3571 W Machen Rd. Wasilla) Friday, February 10, from 6-9 pm. Dinner tickets are $20 for adults; kids eat free. Sit by someone you don’t know and introduce yourself! Family Promise coordinates with local churches to provide shelter and services for homeless families. Learn more about their mission at fpm-su.com.

Musical harmony is the pleasant combination of different notes played simultaneously. Living in harmony requires an open heart and mind to recognize the positive influence of goodness wherever we may encounter it. World Interfaith Harmony Week helps us to tune in to the melody of peace and kindness so we can hear and promote it throughout the year.

If you want to host an interfaith event in 2024 or are already involved in interfaith efforts in the Valley, please contact me at messiahmatsu@gmail.com.

Amity Condie lives in Palmer and enjoys reading, writing, and skijoring with her dogs and family. She is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.