World Interfaith Harmony Week runs February 1–7, 2027, inviting people of every faith, and of none, to meet their neighbors and talk across religious lines.
February 1 to 7
Every year, during the first week of February. The United Nations fixed the dates when it created the observance in 2010.
Next year, February 1 falls on a Monday, so the 2027 week lines up neatly with the calendar.
King Abdullah II of Jordan proposed it, and the General Assembly made it official. Taking part is voluntary, so each community decides how to mark it.
From a Speech to a Resolution
Abdullah made his pitch on September 23, 2010, at the opening of the 65th General Assembly. People, he said, are “bound together, not only by mutual interests, but by shared commandments to love God and neighbour.”
Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad presented the formal proposal. The Assembly adopted Resolution 65/5 less than a month later, on October 20.
That UN text asked governments and civic groups to hold their own programs during the week.
Its roots lie in an earlier effort called A Common Word. That initiative brought Christian and Muslim leaders together around the two great commandments.
Jordan’s version of the idea has two slogans. One is “Love of God and Love of the Neighbour,” and the other swaps in “Love of the Good” for those without a faith.
What the Week Hopes to Build
Resolution 65/5 calls mutual understanding and interreligious dialogue “important dimensions of a culture of peace.”
States are encouraged to share the message in places of worship, each in line with its own traditions.
Speakers have come from far outside the usual circles. A Mohawk spiritual leader addressed the 2016 events, themed “Building Bridges across Boundaries.”
Early themes looked outward. In 2012, the focus was “The Diaspora-a Force for Positive Change,” with Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Hindu and Buddhist leaders taking part.
A year later, events reached out to native faiths, with a spiritual leader from Guinea.
Themes have kept shifting with world events. After Hurricane Sandy, the 2015 events focused on prayer and healing, along with service to the community.
Mandela was honored in 2014, under the theme “Tolerance, Reconciliation and Forgiveness.”
By 2019, organizers had tied it to the UN’s goals for 2030. After a two-year COVID pause, the 2022 events went virtual, and 2023’s theme was “Harmony in a world in crisis.”
Organizers also give out a yearly prize, and the official site lists the winners.
Geneva hosts a yearly dialogue. On February 11, 2026, Jordan’s UN mission and UNITAR held the 11th edition.
UN chief António Guterres has made the same plea. “In these turbulent and trying times, we must stand together for peace and harmony,” he said in 2019.
How to Get Involved
Each community picks its own format, in line with its own customs.
- Visit a house of worship from a faith that isn’t your own, with an open question or two.
- Host a shared meal where neighbors of different beliefs bring a dish with a story.
- Invite leaders from several faiths to speak together at a school or library.
- Join a service project with an interfaith group in your town, such as a food drive or a park cleanup.
- Read the short UN resolution and talk it over with friends.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is World Interfaith Harmony Week an official UN observance?
It is. The General Assembly adopted it by resolution.
Can people with no religion join in?
Yes. Its second slogan was written with them in mind.
Which UN body co-hosts events?
UNITAR, the UN’s training institute, works with Jordan on a Geneva event.