London, United Kingdom—“World Interfaith Harmony Week and Anti-Radicalization” was the title of a discussion held by UPF-UK.
Universal Peace Federation is very keen to support the World Interfaith Harmony Week because it has been a strong promoter of interfaith activity to defuse radicalization.
Several clips from the United Nations commemoration of the week were included in an introductory video shown during the program, which was held on February 7, 2017, in the London Peace Embassy.
Dr. Hojjat Ramzy of the Oxford Islamic Information Center, who is on the Muslim Council of Britain, talked about the important role of interfaith activity in providing a platform for people to appreciate each other’s beliefs. Another important point that Dr. Ramzy made concerned respecting each other as human beings. In today’s society people often forget that fundamentally we are all equals, he said. Therefore, just to give respect to one another contributes to a harmonious society.
Rev. Jon Dal Din, the director of Westminster Interfaith since 2008 (for further information, Click Here), emphasized the importance of prayer, which he said can bring greater tolerance and peace into society. He also said that each of us has fundamental goodness within, and it is important to nourish and develop this goodness by helping in a community and/or supporting charities.
Dr. Afzal Ashraf, a consultant fellow at the Royal United Services Institute and a former senior officer in the Royal Air Force, pointed out the often misleading influence of mass media. The media are oriented toward destroying religion and the structure of political power, he said.
Mrs. Remzije Duli, the project co-leader for the British Albanian Kosovar Council, outlined the situation in Kosovo and stated what needs to be done to raise the living conditions. She provided details about her project in Kosovo as it stabilizes families from different cultures, religions and races.