It is with great honor that we announce the Journalists and Writers Foundation’s recognition as the THIRD Prize Winner, receiving the prestigious Bronze Medal by the King Abdullah II UN World Interfaith Harmony Week 2024 Prize. In 2024, globally, over 1180 events were held to promote peace, harmony, and dialogue among people of diverse faiths. The Journalists and Writers Foundation organized two events: Creating A Safe Space for Interfaith Dialogue and Global Voices: Youth Interfaith Digital Storytelling Campaign fostering unity and interfaith dialogue through digital stories.

The World Interfaith Harmony Week, based on UNGA Resolution A/65/PV.34, calls for a global campaign dedicated to fostering interfaith harmony. First proposed in 2010 by HM King Abdullah II and HRH Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad of Jordan, this annual event holds true to its commitment to fostering harmony among people regardless of their faith backgrounds.

Established by the Royal Aal Al-Bayt Institute for Islamic Thought in Jordan, the World Interfaith Harmony Week Prize was created in 2013 to honor the best three events organized during the UN World Interfaith Harmony Week, which best embodied the goals of the initiative. These prizes recognize events that successfully promote interfaith harmony and enhance religious understanding. Since 2014, this prestigious award has been known as the H.M. King Abdullah II World Interfaith Harmony Week Prize.

 The Journalists and Writers Foundation’s two award-winning events exemplified exceptional dedication to interfaith dialogue. The panel discussion titled “Creating a Safe Space for Interfaith Dialogue: Skills and Reflections” featured expert speakers who shared insights on the essential skills, tools, and knowledge required for effective interfaith dialogue. Furthermore, they provided strategies for developing and fostering these skills, drawing from their own experiences to address challenges and offer solutions. The event actively engaged the audience through questions and reflective discussions.

 The second initiative, the Global Voices: Youth Digital Storytelling Campaign aimed to empower the voices of young individuals (aged 18-35) in promoting interfaith dialogue. Through short videos, participants shared personal experiences, fostering understanding, respect, and unity across faith boundaries. The campaign aimed to create a vibrant, inclusive narrative led by youth that celebrates the power of interfaith dialogue and inspires global unity and harmony.

Honorable jury members acknowledged and awarded 3 winners among the 1180 events, recognizing the dedication of all participants. The jury carefully assessed the events based on alignment of programs with the UNGA Resolution A/65/PV.34.

 First Prize – Gold Medal

– Bridges – Eastern European Forum for Dialogue (BULGARIA)

– Event: Gift of Love: An Interfaith Art Performance Promoting Harmony and Tolerance

Second Prize – Silver Medal

– Pikes Peak Habitat for Humanity (USA)

– Event: “Who Is Your Neighbor?”

The current Judges for The King Abdullah II World Interfaith Harmony Week Prize are:

• H.R.H. Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad
• H.B. Patriarch Theophilus III – Patriarch of the Holy City, Palestine and Jordan
• H.E. Sheikh Dr Ali Gomaa – former Grand Mufti of the Arab Republic of Egypt
• H.E. Bishop Munib Yunan – Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land, and President of the World Federation of Evangelical Lutheran Churches
• Sheikh Usama al-Sayyid Al-Azhari – Professor at Al-Azhar University
• Father Nabil Haddad – Founder and Executive Director of the Jordanian Interfaith Coexistence Research Centre
• Dr. Tarek Elgawhary – Director of the Royal Aal Al-Bayt Institute for Islamic Thought

Sources:

• www.worldinterfaithharmonyweek.com/2024-winners/
• https://x.com/wihw/status/1771111497676038602?s=46&t=qPjrvxydawuggofTvfxBow

For Media Inquiries:

Journalists and Writers Foundation

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