Worldwide News
Aggressive Secularism on the rise in Europe
The US-Government sponsored Commission on International Religious Freedom has issued its latest report this week and one of its authors concludes that "aggressive secularism" is rife in Western Europe.
Declaration of 10th Doha Conference for Interfaith Dialogue
DOHA April 26 : The 10th Doha Interfaith Dialogue conference concluded with a call to the international community to strongly denounce all forms of violence and oppression against religious scholars and leaders in different parts of the world, especially in Syria..
10th Doha Conference for Interfaith Dialogue
The 10th Doha Conference on Interfaith Dialogue will examine a call to revive the culture of dialogue to fight the deepening divide on sectarian and religious lines in several countries of the world including the Arab region.
Religious Freedom necessary in Modern Life
Cardinal Ravasi, President of the Pontifical Council for Culture cautioned that both “direct and indirect religious persecution” is growing in many areas of the world, even in democratic nations.
Eclectic Group of Experts in Rome for Interfaith Gathering
Interfaith dialogue. The relationship between faith and science. The unification of people through beauty itself. These were some of the key themes touched upon in today's Vatican-sponsored TEDx conference.
Pope Francis and U.N. General Secretary Meet
Vatican City - Recognizing the important role each other plays on the global stage, Pope Francis and U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon met Tuesday at the Vatican, discussing common efforts to promote peace and protect human dignity.
MDG's: Religious Leaders Stress Diligence
With 1000 days to go for the Millennium Development Goals, Religious leadership stresses they are achievable.
Pope Francis directs decisive action against sex abuse
Pope Francis has told the Vatican's chief doctrinal enforcer he should respond "decisively" to the issue of sexual abuse of minor by clergy, the Vatican said Friday.
Pope Francis reaches out to Italy’s chief rabbi
If the Jewish world was waiting for a sign from Pope Francis regarding his relations with its community, it didn't take long. On his first day, the Pope wrote to the Chief Rabbi of Rome.
British Minister Baroness Warsi says Pope's simplicity resonates with people
(Vatican Radio) British Minister for Faith and Communities Baroness Warsi says Pope Francis' simplicity resonates with people, especially during the current global financial crisis.
UNAOC: First Steps in Building a Global Interfaith Community
Death, destruction and United Nations preventive military efforts often command public and media attention. The other purposes and activities of the U.N. – concentrating, for instance, on developing respect for rights, preventing discrimination, economic development, and cultural coexistence – receive less attention.
Protection of uprooted people is integral to religions, says WCC
The World Council of Churches' General Secretary welcomed the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Dialogue on Protection Challenges with the theme of 'Faith and Protection' which was held on 12-13 December 2012 at the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland.
Pope Benedict’s commitment to inter-faith dialogue
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon today lauded the commitment of Pope Benedict XVI to inter-faith dialogue and the promotion of peace, in reaction to the Pontiff’s decision to step down at the end of this month.
Faith is an essential foundation of life
In delivering the 2013 UN Message to World Interfaith Harmony week, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said "For billions of people around the world, faith is an essential foundation of life."
International Day of Zero Tolerance of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting
Fewer girls are subjected to the life-threatening practice of female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) according to new data from the United Nations, released on 6 February, the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation
UK: High Level meeting on Religious Intolerance
A High-level meeting was conducted in London as a follow-up to the UN Resolution on Religious Tolerance in the 67th Assembly. The Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) addressed the meeting.
Religious leaders in Geneva advocate for peace
In an inter-religious service organized by the Vatican, the World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit stressed the importance of “expressions for peace and the mutual respect for the dignity of the other”.
Yes to interfaith harmony, no to religious police in Egypt
In a guest editorial on Reuters Faithworld Blog, the Grand Mufti of Egypt calls for interfaith harmony, a reduction in unscholarly fatwas and the promotion of a moderate, tolerant view of Islam.
Sri Lanka: Interfaith declaration of commitment on prevention of child abuse
Leaders of religious and faith-based communities assembled at this National Religious Leaders Conference on November 20 to mark the ‘World Day of Spirituality and Action for Children’, pledge their commitment to act as a matter of urgency to prevent child abuse.
World Interfaith Harmony Week
"Love of God and Love of the Neighbour or Love of the Good and Love of the Neighbour"
World Interfaith Harmony Week is a UN Observance which takes place during the first week of February each year. World Interfaith Harmony Week will commence on Friday, 1 February, 2013.
Last Updated on Jan102013UN Plans Cooperation with Faith-based Organisations for Inter-Religious Dialogue
The United Nations is set to engage Faith Based Organisations (FBOs) across the globe to promote world peace through communication, awareness raising and educational activities to enhance inter-religious dialogue and tolerance among all faiths.
Last Updated on Jan222013Pakistan: PM stresses need for interfaith dialogue
ISLAMABAD - Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf has underlined the need for interfaith dialogue for promotion of peace and harmony in the society.
“No religion” is the third-largest world group after Christians, Muslims
(Reuters) - People with no religious affiliation make up the third-largest global group in a new study of the size of the world's faiths, placing after Christians and Muslims and just before Hindus.
Iran Bans Flights during Azan (call to prayer)
Iran’s parliament has banned airplanes from flying in the country during the Azan call to Islamic prayer, the semi-official Mehr news agency has reported.
Solidarity is vital to facing global challenges, says UN chief
20 December 2012 – Marking International Human Solidarity Day, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today highlighted the benefits of inclusive cooperation, saying that strides made in reducing poverty and advancing democratic freedoms in recent years were proving that point.
Two Tibetans have been detained in China for "inciting" self-immolations just days after authorities announced that anybody accused of abetting the fiery protests could be charged with homicide.
2014 Parliament of the World’s Religions in Brussels Cancelled
In December of 2009, Australia hosted the Parliament of the World's Religions. Brussels was selected as the host city for the forthcoming Parliament.
Last Updated on Dec162012MYWorld Website Launched to Gather Citizen Views on Post-2015 Priorities
The UN Millennium Development Goals (MDG) will change to Sustainable Development Goals after 2015. The UN seeks input on what these goals and priorities ought be, for the world.
Last Updated on Dec162012Sri Lanka Advances Post-War Reconciliation and Healing
Religions for Peace Sri Lanka Advances Post-War Reconciliation and Healing: RfP Sri Lanka’s 12th District-level Interreligious Council Launched in Kirinochchi, the most war-affected region and the ex-stronghold of LTTE
UK Guide to Muslim-Christian Marriages
UK: A new guide launched over the weekend by the Christian Muslim Forum (CMF), dealing with interfaith marriages between members of the two faith groups.
China's Women Only Mosque
CAIRO – Unlike their peers around the world, Muslim women in China are enjoying having female-only mosques and getting a unique opportunity to develop their religious knowledge.
Mecca Train Ticket Prices & Services Announced for its First Hajj Season
Muslims wishing to use Mecca 's first metro when they converge on the holy city next month for their annual pilgrimage will have to pay SR250 for a ticket that will serve them for seven days.
Euro imams, rabbis pledge zero tolerance for hate preachers
Seventy European Muslim and Jewish leaders pledged on Wednesday to show “zero tolerance” to hate preachers of any faith including their own ranks, citing what they called rising religious intolerance on the continent.
US Coptic Bishops blast Coptic Christians behind film
Coptic Christian leaders in the United States distanced themselves from an anti-Muslim film that has sparked protests in more than 24 countries, and denounced the Copts who reportedly produced and promoted the film.
Brussels to host the Parliament of the World’s Religions in 2014
Brussels – the capital of the Belgium has been chosen as the host city of the Parliament of the World’s Religions in 2014.
Religion's role in Arab Spring is promoting dignity, Vatican official tells
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Religious communities can assist the North African and Middle Eastern pro-democracy movements by upholding human dignity and not trying to claim power for one religion or one movement within a religion, a senior Vatican official said.
Pope never considered canceling delicate Lebanon visit due to Mideast tensions
Pope Benedict’s visit to Lebanon ranked as potentially his most dangerous even before this week’s protests in the Middle East raised the stakes, but he said on Friday he never considered calling it off for safety reasons.
Theologian Urges Interfaith Dialogue Among Women
The Union Theological Seminary in New York is partnering with the Jewish Theological Seminary in an experiment in which 12 Christian, Jewish and Muslim women will be divided into small groups to meet regularly and, if funding can be found, live together.
9/11 anniversary incites interfaith dialogue
The 9/11 terrorist attacks on the United States continues to influence campus discussions and prompt Elon University to promote an atmosphere of peace and tolerance.
Pakistan: Council for Interfaith Dialogue condemn movie
LAHORE: Members of Council for Interfaith Dialogue have condemned the producers of sacrilegious movie that has damaged the religious feelings of the entire Muslim community of the world.
USA: Muslims From Abroad Are Thriving in Catholic Colleges
DAYTON, Ohio — Arriving from Kuwait to attend college here, Mai Alhamad wondered how Americans would receive a Muslim, especially one whose head scarf broadcasts her religious identity.
Taiwan: Young Christians, Buddhists and Taoists together for Interreligious Dialogue
The work of Taiwanese Conference on Religion and Peace, which every year organizes interfaith events among young people. This year’s meeting - the 13th - was attended by representatives of 10 different faiths.
India: International conference on Hinduism, Buddhism in September
BHOPAL: Madhya Pradesh is all set to host an international conference on Hinduism and Buddhism next month with a view to promote inter-religious dialogue and exchange of ideas.
Japan: Religious Leaders Commemorate 25th Anniversary of Religious Summit Meeting on Mount Hiei
The Interreligious Gathering of Prayer for World Peace theme was "The Response of Religious Leaders to Natural Disasters." The two days of programs included addresses, a symposium, a forum, and a ceremony of prayer for world peace.
Pakistan: Scholars stress Religious Harmony
Pakistan Peace and Harmony Network speakers say religions teach peace, brotherhood, protection of others’ rights.
South Africa: Interfaith Prayer Service Against Violence On Women and Children
Women from different faiths in South Africa have participated in an Interfaith Prayer Service against violence on women and children.
Pakistan: Inter-faith Ulema Council being set up for religious harmony
Islamabad—Interior Minister Rehman Malik said that the government is going to constitute inter-faith council to create harmony in the country. In an interview with Radio Pakistan, he said the council will be comprised on Ulema of all religious sections and its chairmanship will be rotated among them after every three months.
Release of 2011 International Religious Freedom Report
Remarks at the Release of the 2011 International Religious Freedom Report by Hilary Rodham Clinton, US Secretary of State
Spain: Final day of landmark inter-faith conference
Meeting in Madrid for a three-day inter-faith conference sponsored by Saudi Arabia, representatives of the world's main monotheistic religions called for an international agreement to combat terrorism and prevent "a clash of civilisations".
2011 Religious Freedom Trends
Governments restricted religious freedom in a variety of ways, such as passing laws that favored state-sanctioned groups even as they restricted the rights of others to practice their religion.
Millennium Development Goals: Beyond 2015
The United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDG's) were targetted to the year 2015. UN Secretary General Moon has taken steps to ensure these goals are met in the Sustainable Development Solutions Network.
Last Updated on Aug142012Tony Blair in final Westminster Faith Debate
The Westminster Faith debates, organised by the AHRC/ESRC Religion and Society Programme, concluded this week with a debate between former Prime Minister Tony Blair, the Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, and the former Daily Telegraph editor Charles Moore.
Pakistan: Peace bodies being set up for interfaith harmony
ISLAMABAD – In a bid to promote interfaith harmony in Pakistan, Minister of State for National Harmony, Akram Masih Gill, said on Wednesday that formation of national peace committees for interfaith harmony was under way.
Meeting in Beirut, interfaith leaders work toward Middle East peace
A landmark three-day Christian-Muslim peace conference concluded on a hopeful note here by issuing an appeal to religious leaders and institutions to collaborate on promoting human rights, self-determination, peaceful co-existence, and non-violence, particularly in Jerusalem and the Holy Land.
Austria gives approval for Saudi-backed Interfaith Centre
Austria's parliament on Friday officially approved the creation of a new inter-religious dialogue center in the country's capital, Vienna, supported and financed by Saudi Arabia.
Pakistan: Interfaith and Intercultural Harmony Stressed
LAHORE - Peace and Harmony Network Pakistan arranged a roundtable conference on Tuesday that was addressed by elected and political leadership, Islamic scholars and representatives from Christian, Hindu and Sikh religions.
Pakistan to get Interfaith TV Channel
ISLAMABAD: In a day and age where people in Pakistan have a choice from close to 100 public and private television channels, there are few there where one can turn to for greater interfaith harmony.
45th Tibetan Monk Self-immolates
Dharamshala: On July 7, 22-year-old Tsewang Dorjee set himself on fire in the main market of Damshung County, (Chinese: Dangxiong) about 160 kms from the capital, Lhasa in central Tibet.
Faith partnership principles launched
The work of faith groups to tackle poverty around the world was applauded by the British government at the launch of the Faith Partnership Principles.
Catholic-Muslim discussions in Vatican
Vatican City: A group of Muslims and Catholics have met at the Vatican and exchanged views about their relations "in the current situation of the world".
Italian priest created an interfaith refuge in Syria
An Italian Jesuit who was recently expelled from Syria for criticizing the government’s crackdown on the uprising there had spent three decades in the country, creating a small oasis of peace and interfaith dialogue.
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