Interfaith Harmony Week (February 1-7, 2018) |18 January 2018

Sifco to host interfaith presentation on February 1

The Seychelles Interfaith Council (Sifco) will host an interfaith presentation on February 1 as part of its activities to mark Interfaith Harmony Week (February 1-7, 2018).

The presentation will take place at the Seychelles Trading Company (STC) conference Centre from 4.15 to 6.15pm.

The event will consist of a presentation of 15 minutes each by four different faiths-Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism and Bahai.

Each presentation will be followed by questions & answers from the audience. It is anticipated that these talks will be held every four months and cover all the faiths / religions comprising Sifco.

Sifco consists of members of different faith-based organisations striving for interfaith dialogue. As the ‘Moral & Spiritual’ voice of the Nation Sifco’s objective is to promote understanding, cooperation and unity within the interfaith groups since they share the same core spiritual values - peace, love, purity, harmony - and the nation at large.

Sifco also aims to take a common stance on issues in order to promote the holistic and integrated development of every human being in Seychelles and address all forms, causes and effects of oppression that hinder the development and progress with all stakeholders.

The current memberships of Sifco are the following: the Roman Catholic; Anglican Church; Baha’i Faith; Islamic Centre for Information and Guidance; Hindu Council of Seychelles; Seychelles Hindu Kovil Sangam; Orthodox Church; Zoroastrian Faith; Seychelles Buddhist Association; Brahma Kumaris Association; World of his grace Christian Mission; Redeemed Christian Church of God; Christian Fellowship.

World Interfaith Harmony Week is an annual event observed during the first week of February since 2011.

World Interfaith Harmony Week was proclaimed by the General Assembly in a resolution adopted on October 20, 2010.

In the resolution, the General Assembly points out that mutual understanding and interreligious dialogue constitute important dimensions of a culture of peace and establishes World Interfaith Harmony Week as a way to promote harmony between all people regardless of their faith.

Recognising the imperative need for dialogue among different faiths and religions to enhance mutual understanding, harmony and cooperation among people, the General Assembly encourages all States to support during that week the spread of the message of interfaith harmony and goodwill in the world’s churches, mosques, synagogues, temples and other places of worship, on a voluntary basis and according to their own religious traditions or convictions.