UN Interfaith Harmony Week 2026: Diverse Religious Representatives Gather at MWR for a Peace Pilgrimage
In observance of the United Nations' World Interfaith Harmony Week, the Museum of World Religions (MWR) held the "March in Harmony: A Youth's Journey of Pilgrimage" on February 4. The event invited over ten religious leaders and youth representatives to speak out for peace and pray for a world in turmoil. Participants fashioned origami doves to symbolize global blessings and demonstrated the collaborative power of interfaith and cross-generational action. This initiative put into practice the "Spiritual Ecology" philosophy and the "Global Family of Love and Peace (GFLP)" vision advocated by MWR founder, Grand Master Hsin Tao.
Echoing the UN Initiative: MWR Deepening Local Interfaith Dialogue
The World Interfaith Harmony Week (WIHW) was established by a UN resolution in 2010, following an initiative proposed by King Abdullah II and Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad of Jordan. Observed annually during the first week of February, the week highlights the vital role of mutual understanding and cooperation among religions in fostering world peace.
Located in the Yonghe District of New Taipei City, the MWR has served as a pivotal platform for interfaith dialogue since its founding in 2001. Through cultural exchanges, forums, and art exhibitions, the museum helps different faith groups discover shared humanitarian values within their differences, responding to contemporary society's urgent need for peace and the common good. Since 2019, the MWR has consistently hosted a series of events for World Interfaith Harmony Week, deepening mutual respect among faiths and spreading the core spirit of love and peace.
MWR's 25th Anniversary: Interfaith Representatives Speak for Peace
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Museum of World Religions. To commemorate this milestone, the museum expanded the scale of its activities, collaborating with the Commission for Interreligious Dialogue and Ecumenical Cooperation of the Chinese Regional Bishops' Conference to transform the dialogue venue into a symbolic "Journey of Pilgrimage."
The event brought together a wide array of religious and youth representatives, including Most Rev. Thomas Chung An-Zu, Archbishop of Taipei; Ven. Master Xian Yue and Ven. Master Hai Chao, Commissioners of the Ling Jiou Mountain (LJM) Buddhist Society; Cardinal Envoy Tsai Kuang-Ssu of the Tienti Teachings; Fr. Jonah Mourtos of the Orthodox Church in Taiwan; Elder Wang Ming-ru, Area Seventy of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; Rabbi Shlomi Tabib of Judaism; Pastor Wang Chia-lin of the Episcopal Diocese of Taiwan; Secretary-General Huang De-Sheng of the I-Kuan Tao Association in Taiwan; Standing Director Lin Ming-Hui of the Taoist Association of the Republic of China (ROC); Muezzin Yen Chao-Mu of the Chinese Muslim Association; and Amrita Vilasini Devi Das of the ISKCON Krishna sect of Hinduism. Together, they participated in this international peace initiative, embodying Taiwan’s precious spirit of religious freedom and harmony.
Faith Knows No Boundaries: From the Pilgrimage Trail to the Peace Proclamation
One of the most moving moments was the "Journey of Pilgrimage" circling the MWR, where the interfaith delegation showcased the power of generational inheritance and youth action. In a solemn yet creative gesture for the new era, religious leaders held votive candles while leading youth representatives who used their mobile phone flashlights as symbolic lanterns of blessing, creating an atmosphere of profound reverence.
A procession of over 80 participants embarked from the MWR’s renowned Pilgrimage Trail, symbolizing a journey of exploration through life and spiritual practice. Along the way, they paused for prayers in front of the various religious displays in the Great Hall of World Religions, where chants and hymns echoed through the halls, transmitting wisdom and blessings. The group then issued a "Peace Proclamation," transforming peace from an abstract concept into an actionable daily practice, while discovering the universal goodness and light of humanity within cultural diversity.
Ritual" held by the glass wall adjacent to the Golden Auditorium. Following a Gospel reading by Fr. Emanuele Angiola of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Charles Borromeo, participants placed origami doves—symbols of blessing—onto a driftwood globe installation, a brand-new creation by artist Wang Wei-Chiuan. Their heartfelt prayers for peace were sent out to every corner of the world. This was followed by the melody of St. Francis’s "Canticle of the Sun," using the power of sound to unify good intentions and foster a profound spiritual resonance across generations.
Deepening Social Connections: Promoting the Vision of Love and Peace
Grand Master Hsin Tao, the founder of the Museum of World Religions (MWR), has long been dedicated to interfaith exchange and dialogue. He has addressed audiences at both the United Nations and the Parliament of the World's Religions. In recent years, he has proactively advocated for the philosophy of "Spiritual Ecology," asserting that only by returning to our original awareness and reconstructing the vital links between humanity, nature, and one another, can we truly achieve world peace and ecological harmony.
"Love is our common truth, and peace is our eternal hope," stated Ven. Master Xian Yue, CEO of the MWR Development Foundation. He expressed his profound gratitude to the interfaith leaders and youth of different generations for walking together with a shared vision, voicing their hopes with courage, and forging cross-domain connections to complete this unprecedented peace pilgrimage. "May the seeds of peace sown today continue to sprout throughout our lives. May the sacred light within each of us reflect upon one another in endless radiance, bringing light to the world. And may religious wisdom, through our collective actions, become a driving force for global peace and sustainable coexistence."
The organizers expressed their sincere gratitude to MWR Board Directors Lin Fang-Kuan and Sung Chu-Fang for their immense support. A documentary of the event is currently in production and will be submitted to a UN contest. To further symbolize harmony, a vegan luncheon was arranged at noon, followed by an afternoon guided tour of the special exhibition, "LIGHT A LIFE Ｘ LIVE A LIGHT." This tour aimed to deepen public understanding of religious diversity, further highlighting the MWR’s essential role as a pivotal platform for interfaith exchange.
Echoing the UN Initiative: MWR Deepening Local Interfaith Dialogue
The World Interfaith Harmony Week (WIHW) was established by a UN resolution in 2010, following an initiative proposed by King Abdullah II and Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad of Jordan. Observed annually during the first week of February, the week highlights the vital role of mutual understanding and cooperation among religions in fostering world peace.
Located in the Yonghe District of New Taipei City, the MWR has served as a pivotal platform for interfaith dialogue since its founding in 2001. Through cultural exchanges, forums, and art exhibitions, the museum helps different faith groups discover shared humanitarian values within their differences, responding to contemporary society's urgent need for peace and the common good. Since 2019, the MWR has consistently hosted a series of events for World Interfaith Harmony Week, deepening mutual respect among faiths and spreading the core spirit of love and peace.
MWR's 25th Anniversary: Interfaith Representatives Speak for Peace
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Museum of World Religions. To commemorate this milestone, the museum expanded the scale of its activities, collaborating with the Commission for Interreligious Dialogue and Ecumenical Cooperation of the Chinese Regional Bishops' Conference to transform the dialogue venue into a symbolic "Journey of Pilgrimage."
The event brought together a wide array of religious and youth representatives, including Most Rev. Thomas Chung An-Zu, Archbishop of Taipei; Ven. Master Xian Yue and Ven. Master Hai Chao, Commissioners of the Ling Jiou Mountain (LJM) Buddhist Society; Cardinal Envoy Tsai Kuang-Ssu of the Tienti Teachings; Fr. Jonah Mourtos of the Orthodox Church in Taiwan; Elder Wang Ming-ru, Area Seventy of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; Rabbi Shlomi Tabib of Judaism; Pastor Wang Chia-lin of the Episcopal Diocese of Taiwan; Secretary-General Huang De-Sheng of the I-Kuan Tao Association in Taiwan; Standing Director Lin Ming-Hui of the Taoist Association of the Republic of China (ROC); Muezzin Yen Chao-Mu of the Chinese Muslim Association; and Amrita Vilasini Devi Das of the ISKCON Krishna sect of Hinduism. Together, they participated in this international peace initiative, embodying Taiwan’s precious spirit of religious freedom and harmony.
Faith Knows No Boundaries: From the Pilgrimage Trail to the Peace Proclamation
One of the most moving moments was the "Journey of Pilgrimage" circling the MWR, where the interfaith delegation showcased the power of generational inheritance and youth action. In a solemn yet creative gesture for the new era, religious leaders held votive candles while leading youth representatives who used their mobile phone flashlights as symbolic lanterns of blessing, creating an atmosphere of profound reverence.
A procession of over 80 participants embarked from the MWR’s renowned Pilgrimage Trail, symbolizing a journey of exploration through life and spiritual practice. Along the way, they paused for prayers in front of the various religious displays in the Great Hall of World Religions, where chants and hymns echoed through the halls, transmitting wisdom and blessings. The group then issued a "Peace Proclamation," transforming peace from an abstract concept into an actionable daily practice, while discovering the universal goodness and light of humanity within cultural diversity.
Ritual" held by the glass wall adjacent to the Golden Auditorium. Following a Gospel reading by Fr. Emanuele Angiola of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Charles Borromeo, participants placed origami doves—symbols of blessing—onto a driftwood globe installation, a brand-new creation by artist Wang Wei-Chiuan. Their heartfelt prayers for peace were sent out to every corner of the world. This was followed by the melody of St. Francis’s "Canticle of the Sun," using the power of sound to unify good intentions and foster a profound spiritual resonance across generations.
Deepening Social Connections: Promoting the Vision of Love and Peace
Grand Master Hsin Tao, the founder of the Museum of World Religions (MWR), has long been dedicated to interfaith exchange and dialogue. He has addressed audiences at both the United Nations and the Parliament of the World's Religions. In recent years, he has proactively advocated for the philosophy of "Spiritual Ecology," asserting that only by returning to our original awareness and reconstructing the vital links between humanity, nature, and one another, can we truly achieve world peace and ecological harmony.
"Love is our common truth, and peace is our eternal hope," stated Ven. Master Xian Yue, CEO of the MWR Development Foundation. He expressed his profound gratitude to the interfaith leaders and youth of different generations for walking together with a shared vision, voicing their hopes with courage, and forging cross-domain connections to complete this unprecedented peace pilgrimage. "May the seeds of peace sown today continue to sprout throughout our lives. May the sacred light within each of us reflect upon one another in endless radiance, bringing light to the world. And may religious wisdom, through our collective actions, become a driving force for global peace and sustainable coexistence."
The organizers expressed their sincere gratitude to MWR Board Directors Lin Fang-Kuan and Sung Chu-Fang for their immense support. A documentary of the event is currently in production and will be submitted to a UN contest. To further symbolize harmony, a vegan luncheon was arranged at noon, followed by an afternoon guided tour of the special exhibition, "LIGHT A LIFE Ｘ LIVE A LIGHT." This tour aimed to deepen public understanding of religious diversity, further highlighting the MWR’s essential role as a pivotal platform for interfaith exchange.