In issuing Executive Order N0.BC-32-2014 on Jan. 7, Mayor Climaco said the United Nations General Assembly in its 34th plenary meeting declared the first week of February of every year as the World Interfaith Harmony Week among all religions, faiths and beliefs throughout the world.
Hence, she said all states are encouraged to support on a voluntary basis the spread of the message of interfaith harmony and goodwill in the world churches, mosques, synagogues, temples and other places of worship during that week, based on love of God and love of one’s neighbor or on love of the good and love of one’s neighbor, each according to their own religious traditions or convictions.
“The UN General Assembly recognizes the imperative need for dialogue among different faiths and religions to enhance mutual understanding, harmony and cooperation among the peoples of the world,” the lady mayor said, adding that the UN also recalls with appreciation various global, regional and sub-regional initiatives on mutual understanding and interfaith harmony, including the Tripartite Forum on Interfaith Cooperation for Peace, and the initiative “A Common Word”.
The UN further recognizes that the moral imperatives of all religions, convictions and beliefs call for peace, tolerance, interreligious dialogue and mutual understanding, which constitute the important dimensions of a culture of peace.
Climaco ordered copies of her EO be furnished the UN Philippines in Manila, the Silsilah Dialogue Movement and the National Ulama Conference of the Philippines, including all concerned schools, governmental agencies, private institutions, NGOs, parishes, church-based organizations, civil society groups, urban poor communities and other people’s organizations for their appropriate action. (Vic Larato)