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Who Are We, And What Do We Do? Based The Common  Word Initiative,   World Interfaith  Harmony Week was first proposed to  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.                                                                         World Interfaith Harmony Week seeks to bring together all people of good will, regardless of faith, to   learn about each other and find ways to work together on common agendas.                                        Our Toronto Steering Committee held its inaugural  meeting at the offices of the Catholic Diocese of    Toronto on October 21 2012, Our first events were organized for World Interfaith Harmony Week 2013    Our  third year  program was internationally recognized which is a testament to the vibrant interfaith   community in the Greater Toronto Area. We are grateful for their continued support and participation.		Subscribe To Our Newsletter
		2026 Steering Committee
Vision We are committed to creating a world characterized by peace, social justice and a sustainable environment by cooperating with efforts around the world to bring about interfaith cooperation and intercultural dialogue. Mission To create and widen awareness of World InterfaithHarmony Week within the GTA, and to help plan, conceptualize, facilitate, promote and co ordinate its events. Values We respect all faiths and beliefs and peoples of goodwill, and believe there is great value in knowing each other and working together.		John B Voorpostel, CPA   Co Chair and Steering Committee Founder   Rev Michelle Singh   Co-chair, Interfaith Minister,   Executive Director,   Faith & The Common Good   Pastor Tuula van Gaasbeek   St Philips Lutheran Church   Steering Committee Founding Member   Yasmin Ratansi L M.P.   Retired Politician and Financial Professional   Steering Committee Founding Member   Paul McKenna   Interfaith Resource & Champion   Retired From Scarboro Missions   Steering Committee Founding Member    Chander Khanna   Retired Banker and Interfaith Champion       Vivian Kwok   Various Interfaith Roles & Initiatives   Shaila Kibria Carter   Islamic Relief Canada    Rev Earl Smith    Church of Scientology      Mubashar Ahmed    Ahmadiyya Muslim Community    Debra Eklove    Darchei Noam Synagogue    Elder Cat Griger    Retired Elder and Advisor    University of Toronto   FONDLY AND RESPECTFULLY REMEMBERED   Sid Ikeda (1934-2023)   Vigourously Interfaith Champion By Example   Japanese Cultural Centre   Steering Committee Founding Member     PAST MEMBERS   Father Damian McPherson   Catholic Diocese of Toronto   Steering Committee Founding Member   Leslie Mezei   Retired Professor, Author, Interfaith Mentor   Steering Committee Founding Member    Zahid Rafique    Islamic Supreme Council of Canada    Steering Committee Founding Member   Pandit Suraj Persad   University of Toronto   Steering Committee Founding Member   Tim Hackborn   Metropolitan United Church   Khadijah Kanji   Noor Cultural Centre   Jackie Kovacks   Intercultural Dialogue Institute   Daniel Schild   Darchei Noam Synagogue
In 2025 8 Current and Past Members of our Steering Committee Were Awarded King Charles III Coronation Medals For Their Interfaith Work. Medals Were Awarded Through Nominations Via The Canadian Interfaith Conversation For Individual Outstanding Service In Fostering Respect and Understanding of Religious Traditions in Canada and Making a Significant Contribution To The Positive Role Faith Communities Make In Canadian Civil Society. All Recipients Were Uniquely Recognized and Cited For Their Many Valued Contributions. Citations Will Be Published By The Governor General and the Canadian Interfaith Conversation.  They Also Came Together With Others To Embrace Our Vision and Mission To Bring World Interfaith Harmony Week To Toronto and the Growing Golden Horsehoe.   John Voorpostel      Rev Michelle Singh     Pastor Tuula van Gaasbeek       Chander Khanna         Vivian Kwok        Shaila Kibria Carter      Father Damian McPherson     Leslie Mezei World Interfaith Harmony Week Is Presented By Our Steering Committee In Partnership With Members of the Interfaith Community. Thank You Toronto Interfaith Community For Being Such Fertile Ground. This Award Is a Tribute To All Who Have Collaborated As Event Partners and Hosts and In Some Cases Participated From The Very Beginning. Thank You City of Toronto For Your Continued Support Thank You Canadian Interfaith Conversation For Your Nominations. We Are Humbled and Grateful For The Spotlight On Our Vision and Mission Thank You King Abdullah II of Jordan For Sponsoring a United Nations Declaration Establishing World Interfaith Harmony Week and Providing Opportunities To Engage and Learn and Build Goodwill Among Peoples of All Faiths and No Faith.
In 2015, We Were Internationally Recognized For Our Program Our Formal Recognition Was Accompanied By a Cash Prize In The Amount Of $5000 US We Shared That Prize By Providing Financial Aid To Events
In 2016, We Were Formally Recognized By Canada's House of Commons For Our Efforts
Video Of Canadian House of Commons Recognition
In 2016, Our Petition To Canadian Parliament To Officially Recognize The UN Declaration In Canada Was Officially Read Into Hansard
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