In all three of the monotheistic faiths, we share the two greatest commandments: to love God and to love our neighbor. We are thus bound—each and every one of us— by our own faiths to reach out to each other as neighbors with goodwill and mutual respect; we must all help ease each other’s suffering and want, and promote justice, peace, and harmony.
~ His Majesty King Abdullah II of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
Living the Dream of Interfaith Harmony
Rev. Berry Behr, Interfaith Minister
When King Abdullah II spoke these words to those gathered in Amman, Jordan, for the National Prayer Breakfast in 2011, he had already manifested his dream of a dedicated global event that would unite all the world’s faiths for a week every year.
A few months earlier the United Nations had passed a resolution unanimously accepting the King’s proposal for World Interfaith Harmony Week (WIHW) to be included in the UN calendar from February 1-7 each year. That 2011 Prayer Breakfast coincided with the very first WIHW. The King envisaged people all over the world growing together in numbers, goodwill, and understanding, each year.
In 2019 I had the honor of going to Jordan with a colleague to fetch the WIHW's first prize from the King himself, on behalf of the Cape Town Interfaith Initiative. The sense of walking on holy ground was with me from the moment we arrived in that holy land. On the first day of our visit, I stood atop one of the seven hills on which Jordan’s capital, Amman, is built, and wept in awe as the Azan (Muslim call to prayer) reverberated around me. I felt as if I could see and touch the prayers of an entire city as they melodiously lifted up to the heavens, and my heart sang and lifted up in sacred solidarity with all of them. My colleague James said, Everywhere is holy, and all prayers reach the same heaven.
The unexpected blessing of my visit to Jordan sparked a desire to invite the world to South Africa, to experience firsthand the stories of freedom as told by the diverse communities who live them. This is the year. Whether you call it interfaith, or primal spirituality, it is an invitation to go beyond difference and touch the heart of God, living the dream of harmonious coexistence that we know as the Divine Design. We call it heaven on earth. We are choosing to live it.
About Open Windows
We, the authors of this blog, dedicate it to the transparent exploration of the world’s sacred scripture and enlightened spiritual thought. We believe that the original inspiration of all faiths comes from a common source, named and revered in a myriad of ways. With that understanding, the innumerable symbols, beliefs, and practices of faith cease to divide. They become open windows to a common reality that inspires and unifies us. We find deeper insight and nourishment in our own faith and from the expression of faith from others.
We hope these weekly quotations and meditations speak to your heart and soul.
yes, Here’s to the KING who spoke of the two great commandments of the three faiths – love God and love your neighbor! And here’s to the KING OF KINGS. Great to know of your world service, Berry, and that we too may express the universal love beyond all denominational divisions. Love to you and to all who read. Tom Cooper
Jerry Kvasnicka
13 days ago
Thank you, Berry, for your work in bringing people together in this way. But I think “interfaith harmony” on a universal scale will remain a dream until believers are willing to set aside their religions and come together at a higher level.
Katie-Grace
13 days ago
What a wonderful story of grace and caring and meaning. Thank you Berry!!!
yes, Here’s to the KING who spoke of the two great commandments of the three faiths – love God and love your neighbor! And here’s to the KING OF KINGS. Great to know of your world service, Berry, and that we too may express the universal love beyond all denominational divisions. Love to you and to all who read. Tom Cooper
Thank you, Berry, for your work in bringing people together in this way. But I think “interfaith harmony” on a universal scale will remain a dream until believers are willing to set aside their religions and come together at a higher level.
What a wonderful story of grace and caring and meaning. Thank you Berry!!!