World Interfaith Harmony Week

As observed by the Brahma Kumaris, February 1 – 7, 2023

The United Nations annually observes World Interfaith Harmony Week (WIHW) during the first week of February.

The Brahma Kumaris have celebrated this year’s Interfaith Harmony Week by organizing and participating in events in their regions. Here are a few highlights:

As a member of the Inter Religious Organizations (IRO), Guyana, The Brahma Kumaris was invited as a panelist along with representatives from various faith traditions on the theme, Harmony Talk. The event was aired on National TV, NCN.

Watch conversation on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/100011842728423/videos/833862577687440

The Brahma Kumaris in Sydney organized an interfaith event with representatives from the Buddhist, Hindu, Sikh, Brahma Kumaris and Christian faiths. Kim Cunio, the moderator, also represented the Jewish faith.

The theme of the event was “My Relationship with God”. What was unique about the event was that each speaker was asked to share their personal experience of the Divine, rather than notes or readings from holy scriptures.

Subhana Barzaghi, representing the Buddhist faith shared her experience on how having love for the Divine helped her in the process of enlightenment. She also connected it with the Four Noble Truths.

Mataji Pravrajika from the Hindu faith talked about her role as a nun in supporting the householders and the community in their quest for God realisation. She also shared her experience of how she was inspired to develop a relationship with God and bring it into our lives.

Jatinder Singh, a Sikh, spoke about the importance of spiritual disciplines in having a relationship with God. It is with the help of this relationship can we overcome human weaknesses.

Christine Donehue from The Brahma Kumaris shared how her relationship with God had evolved over time and her approach to keeping that relationship refreshed. She also shared that silence played a vital role in developing this relationship.

Rev Dr Stephanie Dowrick took a different stand on the topic and shared about the importance of a religious or spiritual tradition in developing a relationship with God, the role of inter spirituality and the importance of meditation.

After the insightful sharing, Kim Cunio led everyone in singing an interfaith hymn. Then the audience of about 90 people each found a partner in the room to share about what has opened our hearts and where we are on this journey. After that Kim led everyone in a short meditation, Stephanie led a thank you prayer and Kim sang the Lord’s Prayer in Aramaic language. This was followed by cake cutting and distribution of sweets and blessings for everyone.

The recording can be accessed on Facebook: https://fb.watch/iv_1Iqt2rO/

The Committee for Religious NGOs (CRNGOs) of which the Brahma Kumaris is the Co-Chair, co-organized an interfaith prayer with Religions for Peace on the topic, “Multi-religious Prayer for Peace and Compassion”, on February 7, 2023.

BK Julia Grindon-Welch and good friend, Azza Karan of Religious for Peace hosted the prayers.