In Mosul, restored mosques and churches reopen together, symbolizing unity, renewal, and the power of culture to bring hope and healing after destruction.

Yoga, originating in India, is a holistic practice that integrates physical, mental, and spiritual elements. The term ‘yoga’ means to unite, symbolizing the connection between body and consciousness. Recognizing its benefits, the United Nations designated 21 June as the International Day of Yoga in 2014. This year’s theme, “Yoga for One Earth, One Health,” highlights the link between personal wellness and planetary health. Through yoga, individuals can foster mindfulness, promote sustainable lifestyles, and embrace the philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam — the world is one family.

"Vesak", the Day of the Full Moon in the month of May, is the most sacred day to millions of Buddhists around the world, marking the birth, enlightenment and passing of the Buddha. In his message for this year’s Vesak (12 May), UN Secretary-General António Guterres highlights that the Buddha's teachings of compassion, tolerance, and selfless service align with UN values. He urges these principles to guide us through global challenges. May the spirit of Vesak inspire us to bridge divides, foster solidarity, and work together towards a more peaceful, sustainable and harmonious world.

“More and more conflicts are shattering lives, livelihoods and our shared future,” said UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk in the General Assembly of ACT Alliance, a global faith-based coalition organized in national and regional forums operating in more than 120 countries. He stressed the need for a bottom-up transformation involving governments, religious leaders, and civil society to foster social cohesion and human dignity. Emphasizing equal rights for all individuals, regardless of belief, Türk called for inclusive faith literacy and holistic human rights education to counter hate.  UN Human Right’s “Faith for Rights” framework, established in 2017, encourages religious leaders to uphold universal rights and promote peaceful coexistence.

Established by the General Assembly in 2010 to promote harmony among people of different faiths, World Interfaith Harmony Week is observed during the first week of February. The General Assembly emphasizes the importance of interfaith dialogue for mutual understanding and encourages all States to promote the message of interfaith harmony in places of worship during this week, in accordance with their own religious traditions or convictions.

Eid al-Adha is the second and largest of the two main holidays in Islam and it is celebrated on the third day of the annual pilgrimage Hajj – wishing everyone celebrating, Eid Mubarak! 

Physical activity is associated with improved mental health and improved quality of life and well-being. A routine practice of yoga – a 5000-year-old tradition – is a valuable tool for people of all ages to make physical activity an integral part of life and reach the level needed to promote good health. The International Day of Yoga aims to raise awareness worldwide of the many benefits of practicing yoga, which is not just an exercise - it unites body and mind, humanity and nature, and millions of people across the globe, for whom it is a source of strength, harmony, and peace.

"Vesak", the Day of the Full Moon in the month of May, is the most sacred day to millions of Buddhists around the world. It’s a day that we honour the birth, enlightenment and passing of Lord Buddha. On this Day of Vesak, let’s find inspiration in the Buddha’s message of honesty, compassion and respect for all living things to shape a better, more peaceful world for all people.

The Secretary-General Urges ‘Peace, Mutual Respect, Solidarity’, in message marking beginning of Ramadan:

"I send my warmest wishes as Muslims around the world begin observing the holy month of Ramadan. This is a moment of reflection and learning. A time to come together in a spirit of understanding and compassion, bound by our common humanity. That is also the mission of the United Nations — to foster dialogue, unity and peace. In these challenging times, my thoughts are with those facing conflict, displacement and suffering. I join everyone observing Ramadan to call for peace, mutual respect and solidarity. Let us take inspiration from this holy month and build a more just and equitable world for all. Ramadan Kareem."

At the core of all the faith systems and traditions is the recognition that we are all in this together and that we need to love and support one another to live in harmony and peace in an environmentally sustainable world. As our world continues to be beset by conflict, intolerance, and the spread of hate speech, let us observe the International Day of Human Fraternity (4 February), while doubling our efforts to spread the message of good neighbourliness based on our common humanity - a message shared by all faith traditions.

Future pandemics and natural catastrophic events are likely to continue, adversely impacting the health and wellbeing of peoples. These stressors will continue accentuating already-existing inequities, unless addressed with urgency. World Interfaith Harmony Week (1-7 February) was first designated by the United Nations to promote harmony between all people regardless of their faith. Let us celebrate the teachings of various faiths and the collective belief in the essential goodness in all of us - exhort us to be our brother’s/sister’s keepers and to be good custodians of our planet.

The 9th Global Forum of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, taking place on 22-23 November 2022, in Fez, Morocco, is a leading platform for promoting intercultural dialogue, understanding and cooperation.  The Forum is hosted by UNAOC, as part of its mission to improve understanding and cooperation among peoples across cultures and to reduce polarization at local and global levels. The Forum takes place against a wide array of global challenges including the surge of hate speech and racism, thus, finding pathways to peace rooted in mutual respect has never been more urgent.

By celebrating World Philosophy Day each year, on the third Thursday of November, UNESCO underlines the value of the development of human thought. By awakening minds to the exercise of thinking and the reasoned confrontation of opinions, philosophy helps to build a more tolerant, more respectful society. It thus helps to understand major contemporary challenges and to stimulate intercultural dialogue by creating the intellectual conditions for change. This year’s celebration titled “The Human of the Future” will take place in UNESCO, Paris, on 16-18 November and will be LIVE webcasted!

"Vesak", the Day of the Full Moon in the month of May, is the most sacred day to millions of Buddhists around the world. It’s a day that we honour the birth, enlightenment and passing of Lord Buddha. On this Day of Vesak (16 May), let us seize this moment of spiritual renewal, and honour Buddha’s wisdom by coming together as one, in solidarity, and shaping a better, more peaceful world for all people.

I send my warmest wishes as millions of Muslims around the world begin the holy month of Ramadan. This is a period of compassion and empathy… a time for reflection and learning… an opportunity to come together and uplift each other.