World Interfaith Harmony Week2026 · Date · History · Messages · Quotes
A/RES/65/5
About World Interfaith Harmony Week
World Interfaith Harmony Week is observed during the first week of February to encourage mutual understanding, interreligious dialogue and goodwill among people of different religions, faiths and beliefs.
King Abdullah II of Jordan proposed the initiative at the United Nations in 2010, and the General Assembly adopted Resolution A/RES/65/5 later that year.
Why World Interfaith Harmony Week matters
Interfaith harmony does not require people to erase or blend their convictions. Constructive dialogue can instead create space for participants to explain differences accurately, find areas of shared concern and cooperate without coercion.
Good observance also recognizes internal diversity within traditions and avoids treating one speaker as representative of every member of a religion or belief community.
History of World Interfaith Harmony Week
King Abdullah II of Jordan proposed a World Interfaith Harmony Week during the sixty-fifth session of the United Nations General Assembly in 2010.
On 20 October 2010, the General Assembly adopted Resolution A/RES/65/5, proclaiming the first week of February every year World Interfaith Harmony Week.
United Nations records state that the week was first observed in February 2011. The resolution encourages voluntary support for interfaith harmony and goodwill in places of worship and across communities.
How the observance developed
This timeline uses documented milestones from reviewed sources. Missing stages are left out rather than guessed.
King Abdullah II of Jordan
The United Nations observance history states that King Abdullah II proposed World Interfaith Harmony Week at the United Nations in 2010.
United Nations General Assembly
UN General Assembly resolution A/RES/65/5
First documented observance
United Nations records state that World Interfaith Harmony Week was first observed in February 2011.
What the evidence establishes
Confirmed institutional roles and milestones are shown first. Details that could not be established from the reviewed sources are listed separately below.
4 fields not established in reviewed sources
How to Observe World Interfaith Harmony Week
Host a moderated dialogue where participants can explain their own traditions and ask respectful questions rather than debate whose beliefs are correct.
Organize a community service project involving different faith or belief groups around a shared local need.
Visit a place of worship only with the community’s invitation or guidance and follow its expectations for dress, photography and conduct.
Set discussion ground rules that reject harassment and stereotyping while allowing genuine differences to be expressed.
Include participants from minority traditions and, where appropriate, non-religious belief communities so the event does not reduce local diversity to only the largest groups.
World Interfaith Harmony Week Facts
World Interfaith Harmony Week is observed during the first week of February.
King Abdullah II of Jordan proposed the initiative at the United Nations in 2010.
The UN General Assembly proclaimed the week through A/RES/65/5.
The resolution was adopted on 20 October 2010.
The first World Interfaith Harmony Week was observed in February 2011.
World Interfaith Harmony Week Messages
Wishing everyone observing World Interfaith Harmony Week a day of reflection, constructive dialogue and purposeful follow-through.
On World Interfaith Harmony Week, may awareness lead to informed discussion, practical action and respect for the communities at the heart of the observance.
May World Interfaith Harmony Week encourage thoughtful participation, shared responsibility and action that continues after the observance ends.
World Interfaith Harmony Week Quotes
“Mutual understanding and interreligious dialogue constitute important dimensions of a culture of peace.”
Topic and context
What this page does not assume
- Keep the source-defined country, community, organizer or institutional scope; do not silently broaden it.
- Do not treat the title alone as proof of government recognition or public-holiday status.
- Do not add a creator, founding story or origin claim unless the supporting evidence establishes it.
Evidence & sources
Sources used across the guide are gathered here. Labels show how each source supports the page, and contextual references are kept separate from primary evidence.
United Nations General Assembly — A/RES/65/5, World Interfaith Harmony Week (opens in a new tab)
United Nations — World Interfaith Harmony Week (opens in a new tab)
Dedicated Authoritative Page
Understand it, compare it, then explore further
Start with the most common factual questions, then compare closely related observances and explore useful connections.
Frequently asked questions
When is World Interfaith Harmony Week?
First week of February (1–7 February) The documented recurrence rule is: First week of February (1–7 February).
Does World Interfaith Harmony Week fall on the same date every year?
It follows a recurring calendar rule, so the Gregorian date can change from year to year.
Is World Interfaith Harmony Week an official public holiday?
The reviewed sources verify it within this scope: United Nations international week. That recognition does not by itself make it a statutory public holiday; the site only makes public-holiday claims when reliable evidence explicitly does so.
Who established or recognizes World Interfaith Harmony Week?
The reviewed sources identify United Nations General Assembly as the proclaiming or establishing body. The proposer or originator is recorded separately as King Abdullah II of Jordan.
Is World Interfaith Harmony Week international or country-specific?
The documented scope is international or global: United Nations international week. That does not mean every country treats the date as a public holiday or observes it in the same way.
How is this page verified?
The factual information is checked against reviewed sources, including the date pattern, scope and institutional history. This page was checked on 2026-09-05.
When is World Interfaith Harmony Week?
It is observed each year during the first week of February.
Who proposed World Interfaith Harmony Week?
King Abdullah II of Jordan proposed the initiative at the United Nations in 2010.
Does interfaith harmony mean all religions must agree?
No. The observance promotes dialogue, understanding and goodwill while allowing participants to retain their distinct beliefs and traditions.