On 11th February 2026, Harmony Institute proudly commemorated World Interfaith Harmony Week by hosting a special Interfaith Dinner at our premises in Lavington. What began as a simple gathering quickly transformed into a beautiful evening of dialogue, laughter, reflection, and shared humanity.
The event brought together brothers and sisters from diverse faith traditions — Christians, Muslims, Hindus, and members of the Baha’i community — united by one common purpose: to celebrate unity in diversity and strengthen the bonds that connect us beyond religious differences.
A Celebration of Unity in Diversity
World Interfaith Harmony Week serves as a reminder that peace is built not through uniformity, but through understanding. The dinner created a safe and welcoming space where participants could listen, learn, and appreciate the richness of one another’s beliefs and perspectives.
Throughout the evening, the spirit of unity, love, mutual respect, and peace was deeply felt. Conversations flowed naturally, friendships were strengthened, and new connections were formed.
Voices of Faith and Humanity
The evening featured six distinguished speakers who shared profound reflections from their respective traditions:
Mr. Odhiambo spoke on the Baha’i understanding of love in three dimensions: love for God, love for neighbour (tolerance), and love for good through collective responsibility and collaboration. He emphasized the importance of sustaining spaces for dialogue and intentionally engaging youth in interfaith initiatives to ensure long-term harmony.
Sheikh Khan reminded participants of the essence of humanity and togetherness. Through powerful real-life examples and personal experiences, he demonstrated that being human transcends societal and religious barriers. His message centered on compassion, shared dignity, and unity.
Ms. Sharma reflected on the belief that humanity ultimately prays to one God, emphasizing love, tolerance, and respect for different faith traditions. She encouraged participants to see diversity as a strength that enriches society.
Fr. Maganya highlighted the importance of building peace and social cohesion through respect for diversity. He reiterated that love for one another must remain at the heart of all interfaith engagement.
Fr. Mbaaro shared how interfaith dialogues initiated by Harmony Institute have influenced the Social Justice and Peace Department at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa. These efforts have given rise to Interfaith Youth Forums aimed at engaging young people in meaningful dialogue to foster unity and peaceful coexistence.
Mr. Nthigai, the director of the Inter-religious Council of Kenya spoke about recognizing commonalities within differences. He affirmed that religion is a factor of unity, not division, and reminded participants that humanity belongs to one community under one Creator.
Strengthening the Culture of Dialogue
The evening concluded with remarks from the Director of Harmony Institute, Dr. Erkan, who expressed heartfelt gratitude to all attendees and speakers for contributing to an atmosphere of love, unity, peace, and social cohesion.
The 2026 Interfaith Dinner reaffirmed Harmony Institute’s unwavering commitment to promoting dialogue, fostering understanding, and nurturing a culture where diversity is embraced as a foundation for peace rather than a source of division.
As we move forward, we remain dedicated to creating spaces where conversations build bridges, youth are empowered, and communities grow stronger together.
