By Dr. Michael Balcomb, Director of Communications, UPF Seoul, Korea – As events in Egypt moved toward their climax half a world away, UPF convened an International Leadership conference in Seoul in honor of the first United Nations week of interfaith harmony. The program considered models of peaceful transitions to democracy, with a special emphasis on the often-neglected responsibilities of religious and spiritual leaders to defuse long-standing tensions between different ethnic and minority groups in the days and months following abrupt political change. The opening plenary, chaired by UPF President Dr. Thomas Walsh, took place at the Cheon Bok Goong sanctuary in Seoul and began with interfaith prayers from the Muslim, Christian, Jewish, Confucian, Shinto, Buddhist and Sikh traditions. Each of the religious representatives shared a reading from their scriptures, lit a candle and offered a prayer for peace, while colorful banners and decorations proclaimed the vision of the week of interfaith harmony. Following the prayers, the Grand Mufti of ...
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