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What is World Interfaith Harmony Week (WIHW) and Why Might You Wish to Attend?

Stave Kramer on Living Wisdom: Meditations and Practices for a Compassionate Life - The Charter's offering for World Interfaith Harmony Week 2025

World Interfaith Harmony Week (WIHW) is an annual United Nations observance the first week of February which promotes peace and harmony among people of different faiths. WIHW was first proposed in 2010 by H. M. King Abdullah II of Jordan at the UN General Assembly, adopted, and then first celebrated in 2011.  Since then, it has grown into an event with offerings throughout February, with most events concentrated in the first week.   

I first heard about World Interfaith Harmony Week (WIHW) four years ago from one of my spiritual teachers. As I combed through the website, I was struck by the wide variety of online events sponsored by different organizations and faith communities from around the world.

As a whole, the week celebrates unity in diversity, the deep connection between people and their faith, and how strong interfaith relations based on respect and peaceful coexistence help us realize that what we have in common is more important than what separates us. This aligns with the vision and mission of the RISE (Religion/Interfaith/Spirituality of Earth) Sector within the Charter for Compassion.

By participating in this event, I have found a wonderfully supportive community through the Charter for Compassion, other interfaith communities, as well as a new spiritual teacher. I have been participating in and helping organize WIHW events ever since. Through WIHW I have been exposed to different faiths which I knew little about. This has greatly enriched my spiritual life, for which I am forever grateful.  

I now have a much greater appreciation for the gifts different faiths offer. I have also found that participating in World Interfaith Harmony Week has supported my interfaith work here in Seattle Washington, which is focused on decreasing polarization amongst different religious communities as well as celebrating our commonalities such as spreading compassion, love, light, and peace throughout the world. 
 

This year our theme is "Living Wisdom:  Meditations and Practices for a Compassionate Life."

Living-wisdom-wihw


We believe that in our world which is becoming increasingly fragmented, it is vital to promote understanding and compassion for each other as well as provide practical tools which help us build our resilience in these chaotic times.  By opening our hearts and connecting to that divine spark within each of us, we can be of service to all of LIFE: Love in Full Expression. 

Just as there are many windows of different shapes and colors through which we can view the sky, there are many pathways to healing and awakening. Our presenters this year are offering meditations, practices,  and teachings from traditions such as the Celtic celebration of Brigid's Day, Gandhian philosophy, Imbolc, QiGong, Sami wisdom, New Thought, Buddhism, CaoDai, shamanic journeying, Judeo-Christian-Sufi beliefs, and Zoroastrianism. 

We invite you to register for and participate in this series. We are offering daily sessions, Feb. 1st-14th, which last approximately 1 hour each.  Most sessions are in the morning, starting at 7, 8, or 9 am PST. Each session will be recorded, so you will be able to view the session later on YouTube if you cannot attend in person.   

We would love for you to join us!


Steve Kramer
RISE (Religion/Interfaith/Spirituality of Earth) Sector
Charter for Compassion

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