A panel discussion THE CHALLENGES OF INTERFAITH IN A WORLD OF HATE: CAN WE DO MORE TO PROMOTE UBUNTU? on Thursday 5th February marks UN World Interfaith Harmony Week.
Since 2012 the Jewish Board of Deputies has been hosting an event during that week. “At a time when the world is filled religious violence and xenophobic attacks, we need to be reminded of the essential humanity of each other.” Please join them in this dialogue on The Challenges of Interfaith in a World of Hate: Can We Do More to Promote Ubuntu?
What is the objective for the event?
- To create dialogue about what more can be done to promote a sense of Ubuntu amongst people of different faiths in South Africa.
- To play an active role in making this happen, igniting the conversation, showing willingness to engage and in fact lead.
- Highlight the interfaith work and methodologies used by various groups, in South Africa and abroad.
South African Jews, and the Jewish community, want to and are playing an active role as South African citizens of faith. “We are committed to growing our relationships with other faiths by authentically engaging and respecting those of different faiths.”
- Good work is being done, but we have to work together to continue and create more.
- Relationships, based on mutual respect and understanding must be built as the foundations of a united sense of Ubuntu in South Africa.
- Raise awareness of the annual World Interfaith Harmony Week
WHEN: Thursday 5th of February,2015 at 5.30 for 6pm start (refreshments on arrival) ending around 8 – 8.30pm
WHERE: Nelson Mandela Auditorium, 88 Hatfield Street, Gardens Cape Town 8001
WHO: Open to the public / members and leaders of various faith communities. No cost
RSVP essential for catering purposes Please email
In 2010 King Abdullah ll of Jordan at the Plenary Session of the 65th UN General Assembly said:
It is [also] essential to resist forces of division that spread misunderstanding and mistrust especially among peoples of different religions. The fact is, humanity everywhere is bound together, not only by mutual interests, but by shared commandments to love God and neighbour; to love the good and neighbour. This week, my delegation, with the support of our friends on every continent, will introduce a draft resolution for an annual World Interfaith Harmony Week. What we are proposing is a special week, during which the world’s people, in their own places of worship, could express the teachings of their own faith about tolerance, respect for the other and peace.
As a result the UN unanimously agreed that the first week in February would be UN World Interfaith Harmony Week.
