05.02.2026
Exploring Our Common Values – DCIF Celebrates Interfaith Harmony Week
Dublin City Interfaith Forum marked World Interfaith Harmony week with a gathering which celebrated the common values of diverse faiths. ‘One Planet – One People and Our Common Values’ took place in the Henry Roe Room of Christ Church Cathedral on Monday evening (February 2).
The celebration encompassed reflections on World Religion Day which falls on January 18 and was established by the Baha’I Faith; St Brigid’s Day on February 1; Tu B’Shevat, the Jewish New Year of the Trees which fell this year on February 2; and the International Day of Human Fraternity on February 4.
Introducing the evening chairperson of DCIF, Archbishop Michael Jackson said it was important to take religious expression and understanding into the broader space of harmony. He said that communities of faith could contribute to the conversation on values and this must be recognised in civic and political circles.
“If we take the idea of values – quite soon Ireland will assume the presidency of the Council of the European Union. Minister [for Foreign Affairs] Helen McEntee spoke of the pillars of the presidency and included values as one of those pillars,” he commented. “People talk about values but they are not quite clear what they are looking for. Within the harmony of this space we can offer and share with each other the values that make us tick and in this way we can invest who we are with civic life.”
Archbishop Jackson suggested that faith communities have become little more than wallpaper in Irish society. If society and people in Government wish to build capacity from a base of values, people of faith need space and scope to contribute actively to the value system which informs security and competitiveness.
Participants began the evening in small groups reflecting on the common values across the different faith traditions, what they valued in their own faith and how these values could promote harmony.
World Religion Day
Celebrating shared values, Sama Sabet of the Baha’is offered the first reflection of the evening exploring ‘Unity in Diversity: Our Shared Spiritual Heritage’. According to Baha’I teaching, she explained, all people are the fruits of one tree and the leaves of one branch.
“When we think of unity we think of sameness and when we think of diversity we think of difference. So how is it possible to bring the two concepts together?” she asked. “The answer is in our identity.” Sama observed that identity is often defined by what makes us different from others. However, she said that there is a divine force behind all of this. “The search for meaning is the purpose of the soul. How can diverse religions be in harmony? They all come from the same divine source. The very purpose of religion is to bring unity. We have to transform that into one action. We have to create friendships across religions,” she said.
Tu B’Shevat
Hilary Abrahamson spoke about environmental stewardship and the New Year of the Trees which is at the heart of the Jewish festival of Tu B’Shevat which is a celebration of renewal and responsibility.
She said that when the divine supreme being that is God created the world, he did so in seven days. He then turned to Adam and asked how he would protect his creation. Outlining the importance of knowing how old a tree is, she explained that in Temple times it was important to know how old a tree was because for the first three years the fruit could not be eaten as it had to go back into the roots to nourish the tree. In its fourth year all the fruit was brought to the temple. There is a similar Celtic tradition, she said. She said trees were so important that planting them was put ahead of all else. Tu B’Shevat is a celebration that is an action – those taking part must try all the fruits.
St Brigid’s Day
Writer Nancy Fitzgerald focused on St Brigid’s Day – and Brigid’s light, hospitality and sustainability.
Brigid did not write, so stories of her were told down through the generations, she explained. Sharing the seminal story of Brigid and her cloak which covered enough land in Kildare to build her monastery as well as thousands of acres of the Curragh which she left fallow. Her monastery became a centre of learning and hospitality. “Brigid was deeply connected with the land and the people on it. Her monastery was the centre of a large community and all came together in faith. She was a home spun saint who believed everyone was connected… She used her resources to care for the sick and the poor. Her care is an antidote to today’s overconsumption. She saw God in everyone. She was acutely turned in to the world around her. Those inspired by Brigid help to spread a mantle of hope across an embattled world,” Nancy said.
International Day for Human Fraternity
Dr Eid Zaher highlighted Pope Francis’s document on Human Fraternity (which inspired his encyclical Fratelli Tutti). The document was co–signed by Sheikh Ahmed al–Tayyeb, the Grand Imam of Al–Azhar and Dr Zaher described it as a step to unity between Christianity and Islam.
Exploring the International Day for Human Fraternity and interfaith dialogue he said that the encyclical affirmed unity between both Islam and Christianity. The Prophet Muhammad said that no person had superiority over another, Dr Zaher explained adding that from an Islamic perspective all creation depended on God. “International Day of Human Fraternity aligns with Islamic values. Islam teaches that faith must translate into mercy for humanity and upholding justice and peace for all,” he said.
These reflections were followed by a moving and prayerful musical interlude by renowned artist Luke Slott who performed songs which reflected the spirit of the event based on Baha’i teaching.
The closing workshop encouraged guests to discuss ways to promote interfaith harmony and environmental stewardship in their communities.
DCIF Executive Officer Adrian Cristea, thanked the large crowd for making time to attend on a Bank Holiday Monday. He said an important part of interfaith dialogue was focusing on values each faith had in common. “What can we do together to put them into practice?” he asked. “DCIF is a diverse group, probably one of the most diverse agencies in the country, This is diversity working together… This reminds us that while our beliefs, languages and traditions may be different, our values speak a common language.”