Beginning next Wednesday, February 1, Compassion Games will host the
Harmony Week Coopetition. The week brings an amazing opportunity for any organization, group, congregation, place of worship or interfaith community to play in the spirit of a growing global unity and respect for all members of the human family.
The World Interfaith Harmony Week was first proposed at the UN General Assembly on September 23, 2010, by H.M. King Abdullah II of Jordan. Just under a month later, on October 20, 2010, it was unanimously adopted by the UN and henceforth the first week of February will be observed as a World Interfaith Harmony Week.
There are several missions that Harmony Week participants can take part in throughout the week:
Play for Peace is proud to partner with Compassion Games throughout the year. Our clubs across the globe host events, discussions, and volunteer opportunities in the name of Compassion Games. Our own
Amanda Cook works tirelessly to connect the two organizations, serving as the Compassion Games Coordinator for Play for Peace.
"I get to immerse myself between two incredible organizations that are filled with inspiring individuals," she said. "These individuals dedicate themselves to bringing laughter, compassion and peace to this world." Amanda works to make the process for Play for Peace clubs smoother and easier, ensuring that anyone who wishes to play has access to the tools they need. "Every event that Play for Peace participates in the Compassion Games is a new learning experience for me."
This year, Compassion Games and Play for Peace are excited to feature two activities:
Multi-Cultural Dress Gathering (MDG), created by Play for Peace's Imroz Shaw, is an opportunity for a club to celebrate the diversity in cultures and faiths from across the world or nation while displaying unity as a human family. Each club can set up the MDG day as their Interfaith Harmony week’s last activity with club members and participants. MDG encourages youth and children to explore and investigate other faiths and cultures and represent them through cultural dress, dance, skits, poetry, etc. The members can also portray the lifestyle traditions and values of various countries/faiths.
Global Fire and Play for Peace Ritual takes place at the close of the Interfaith Harmony Week. The Mentor will light a fire (candle, bonfire, etc.). Each person in the group should share what they are thankful for and what their hope is for the world. The Play for Peace team should take video or photos of the session to be shared.
Check back later for recaps on all the great work our clubs do for WIHW!
