Faith communities of Halifax Regional Municipality came together in a weeklong series of events to observe UN Interfaith Harmony Week — the first week of February. The centerpiece of the event was the Celebration, held at Mount Saint Vincent University. The program celebrated interfaith harmony through song, music, prayers, meditation, dance, and displays by people of diverse faiths. The presentations were followed by a talk by Dr. Scott Dunbar, Associate of the UNESCO Chair of Intercultural Relations – Asia Pacific, Monash University, Australia.
For the past decade, the Baha’i Community of Halifax has organized annual celebrations to observe World Religion Day. The last three events were the product of a rewarding collaboration with the Spiritual Life Department of Mount Saint Vincent University. This year, the community felt that it was time to engage more faith communities. Kim MacAulay, Spiritual Life Coordinator at the university, embraced the idea, and a planning committee was formed with a variety of members, and a series of events was developed to observe UN Interfaith Harmony Week.
The week was called Sacred Spaces: Meeting Our Neighbours. Halifax is becoming a more multicultural and multi-faith community, and it was hoped that the week would provide a focal point that would allow the diverse members to get to know one another, to recognize their common values, and to develop deeper relationships.
Throughout the rest of the week, public events were hosted by a number of faith communities. The concept was that each community would open its doors to members of other religious traditions and celebrate and promote interfaith harmony through hospitality and getting to know each other. The events were held in regular places of worship, prayer and practice; some were regularly scheduled gatherings or special events. Events included a Baha’i Community devotional gathering; Pagan Imbolc rites and rituals; Christian worship; Sikh Khitan and Langar; Hindu Puja; a Shambhala Buddhism meal; a traditional sweat lodge; a Brahma Kumaris meditation; a Muslim Jummah prayer; and a Jewish Shabbat.
From the outset, the faith communities embraced Sacred Spaces with enthusiasm and commitment, preparing to welcome the visitors and taking part in the celebration with presentations and displays. The week was a true collaboration. Attendees were just as enthusiastic, and the spirit of harmony was palpable. There have been requests to repeat the event next year, so the planning committee will be meeting to review the week and consider replicating the event in the future.