UTS Hosts the 19th Annual Interreligious Prayer Service for Peace and Justice

Resolution A/RES/65/5, adopted on October 20, 2010 by the United Nations General Assembly, reaffirmed that mutual understanding and inter-religious dialogue constitute important dimensions of a culture of peace and proclaimed the first week of February every year as the World Interfaith Harmony Week between all religions, faiths and beliefs.

In recognition and celebration of the above resolution, Unification Theological Seminary hosted the 19th Annual Interreligious Prayer Service for Peace and Justice on Sunday, February 5, 2023, as one of 38 worldwide events taking place to promote World Interfaith Harmony. With over 50 participants in attendance both virtually and in person at the UTS main campus in Manhattan, New York, the program brought together representatives from world religions, faith and humanist traditions to recite universal prayers or statements for peace and justice.

Following a warm welcome by service organizer Dr. Charles Chesnavage, UTS Adjunct Assistant Professor of Religious Education, UTS President Dr. Thomas Walsh provided a detailed background on the World Interfaith Harmony United Nations Resolution, as well as the “A Common Word” initiative. The remainder of the program featured representatives of the following religious traditions: Hindu, Humanist, Buddhist, Jain, Muslim, Jewish, Sikh, Baha’i, Christian, Native American, Society of Friends/Quaker, Unifcationist, and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints/Mormon tradition.

The 20th Anniversary of the World Interfaith Harmony Week will take place next year on February 4, 2024.