In recognition of World Interfaith Harmony Week (WIHW), the College of William & Mary is hosting a one-day conference, “The Importance of Multi-Faith Understanding and the Dangers of Religious Intolerance,” on Sunday, February 3, 2013 from 10:30am - 3:30pm.

The conference schedule includes:

International Savvy: The Importance of Studying Religions in Understanding Global Affairs
Professor Shireen Hunter, Georgetown University
Millington 150. 

Consequences of NOT Studying Religions’ Role in Global Affairs
Col. Lawrence Wilkerson, College of William & Mary
Millington 150. 

Interfaith Dialogue... A Way toward Healing and Reconciliation
Rabbi Lawrence Forman, Rabbi Emeritus of Ohef Sholom Temple in Norfolk, Va, and founder of the Institute for Jewish Studies and Interfaith Understanding at Old Dominion University.
Millington 150. 

Recognizing the first week of February as World Interfaith Harmony Week was officially and unanimously adopted by the UN General Assembly on October 20, 2010. Building on the UN Alliance of Civilizations, WIHW provides a platform for promoting peace and non-violence, and eliminating intolerance and discrimination based on religion or belief. It invites people of all faiths and none to participate in activities during the week that promote its goals and impact religious understanding.

The conference will be free and open to the public, and will be run as part of a one-credit course “Celebrating World Interfaith Harmony Week” (INTR 490-05) offered to W&M students by Tamara Sonn, Kenan Professor of Humanities in the Department of Religious Studies. This course requires participants to attend the one day conference, attend three two-hour discussion sessions of assigned readings (to be scheduled on weekends following the conference), and write a five to seven page paper as well as three reflections. INTR 490-05 is a pass/fail course.

Registration encouraged for those planning to attend.

Supported by the Center for Student Diversity, the Office of Diversity and Community Initiatives, the Charles Center, and the Reves Center for International Studies.

Guest Speaker
Tuesday, September 25th, 2012 at 7:30pm
Blair 215

Please join us for our weekly meeting in Blair 215! This week we have the honor of hosting guest speaker Rev. John Kerr, the Episcopal Chaplain at the College of William and Mary. Rev. Kerr will be providing a discussion about Science and Religion, with a focus on how science interrelates with Islam, Buddhism, and Christianity.

Festival of India, 9/29/12 (THIS SATURDAY!)

Some of the members of I-Faith will be attending the Festival of India at the Greater Richmond Convention Center on Saturday, 9/29. This yearly festival is sponsored by the Hindu Center of Virginia, which receives most of the proceeds from the event.

This is a wonderful festival which includes music, performance, food, and a variety of vendors. Admission is free, and the food is both affordable and delicious! See the website linked above for more information on the festival, as well as a menu with food pricing. It is known from past experience that food is paid for by purchasing ‘food tickets’ at the door, sold in books of $10 and up, for cash only.  Vendors accept cash, and some may accept credit but this is not guaranteed. 

If you are interested in attending this event with us email us regarding transportation.

Note: We are planning to be back on campus in time for the football game!

Annual Interfaith Dialogue & Dinner
Friday, October 19th, 2012 at 6pm
Tidewater A

Join I-Faith for an evening of interfaith discussion, as we learn from each other's perspectives while sharing a meal. Free and open to the entire college community.
 (Topics and menu to be announced.)

Is your organization interested in co-sponsoring an event with I-Faith? Please don't hesitate to contact us!