Religious leaders encouraged to continue leadership to promote respect for diversity, tolerance and common purpose

At the official launch of World Interfaith Harmony Week, organised by the Inter Religious Organization of Guyana (IROG), Yeşim Oruç, UN Resident Coordinator, highlighted that this year's theme " Harmony in a World in Crisis: Working together to achieve peace, gender equality, mental health and wellbeing, and environmental preservation" speaks to the UN’s global goals. 

She said "the theme recognizes that these global stressors will continue to accentuate the already-existing inequities in the world. More than ever before this year’s theme recognizes the need for harmony, respect, and collaborative action." 

"In calling on people of all faiths to prayer under this theme, there is a recognition of the role of faith leaders – the role they play not only in greater understanding between religious groups but for greater cooperation in addressing common social and environmental issues such as poverty, inequality and the scourge of climate change," she added.

Ms. Oruç commended the membership of the IROG for using the resources of their faith communities "for the benefit of all Guyanese in servicing many needs, from health to education and many others."

In attendance at the launch were Hon. Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, Prime Minister of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana; members of the Opposition, representatives of the diplomatic community; and other special invitees.

World Interfaith Harmony Week is an annual event observed during the first week of February, after General Assembly designation in 2010. The General Assembly pointed out that mutual understanding and interreligious dialogue constitute important dimensions of a culture of peace and established World Interfaith Harmony Week as a way to promote harmony between all people regardless of their faith.