Area residents interested in religious understanding likely will be interested in events starting next week in Ogden and Salt Lake City.
The two series of events will coincide with United Nations World Interfaith Harmony Week, which begins Wednesday.
The events also commemorate the 10th year since leaders and representatives from various religions came together in celebration during the 2002 Olympics.
"The work that we began at the Olympics in fostering understanding and cooperation among the various diverse faith traditions in Utah continues," stated the Rev. Ivan Cendese, Salt Lake City Roundtable executive director, in a news release about the city's events.
"It is our hope that Interfaith Month will be a time to come together to promote love, harmony, and understanding among all faith traditions."
The theme of this year's World Interfaith Harmony Week is "We Are All Connected by Compassion."
The schedule for Ogden's Interfaith Week is:
* Feb. 4: Ogden Interfaith Musical Tribute, 5 p.m., Weber State Union Ballroom, 3848 Harrison Blvd.
Performers will be the Taiko Drummers; Community United Methodist Church Bell Choir; Erik Stern from congregation B'rith Sholem; combined Methodist Choirs; and Wasatch Master Chorale.
* Feb. 6: Taize service, 7 p.m., Weber County Library Pleasant Valley Branch, 5568 S. Adams Ave., Washington Terrace. This is a meditative service using candles, music, readings and prayers.
* Feb. 7: Movie, "Higher Ground," 7 p.m., Pleasant Valley Branch Library Black Box Theater. This is a Sundance film, described as "a beautiful and stirring tale based on a memoir of a woman who, after growing up in a Christian church, starts asking questions about what she's been taught."
* Feb. 8: Movie, "Pray the Devil Back to Hell," 7 p.m. Pleasant Valley Branch Library Black Box Theater. This film is made possible by the Utah Film Center and the Human Rights Film Series. It is described as "the remarkable story of the courageous Liberian women who came together to end a bloody civil war and bring peace to their shattered country."
* Feb. 9: Book discussion, Weber County Main Library, 2464 Jefferson Ave., Ogden, featuring "Getting to the Heart of Interfaith: The Eye-Opening, Hope-Filled Friendship of a Pastor, a Rabbi and a Sheikh" (Skylight Paths, $16.99). Participants are encouraged to start reading the book now in preparation for discussion on the text.
Ann Booth, manager at the Ogden library, will have 30 books for loaning.
* Feb. 10: Free community workshop, "The Mysticism of Sound," at Jefferson Hall, formerly First United Methodist Church, 26th Street and Jefferson Avenue. Preregister (required) by calling 801-626-6570. Composer, record producer, performer and teacher Yuval Ron will share sacred Sufi, or Islamic, chants and ancient Hebrew prayers as he discusses the history of music and the ways in which these two traditions create a devotional trance. Co-sponsored by the Weber State Center for Diversity and Unity.
* Feb. 11: Interfaith story circle for children features stories, music and crafts, 1 p.m., Pleasant Valley Branch Library.
Also Feb. 11: A Middle-Eastern ensemble featuring Arabic, Christian and Jewish artists in a musical celebration, with guest dancers, 7:30 p.m., Peery's Egyptian Theater, 2415 Washington Blvd., Ogden; $15/adults, $12/students and 65-older.
* In Salt Lake City, a highlight of the Interfaith Month events will be dances, musical presentations, blessings and readings by representatives of many faiths at an Interfaith Musical Tribute titled "Many Faiths One Family," at 6 p.m. Feb. 26, in the Tabernacle, Temple Square.
Information and free tickets are available at www.lds.org.
A complete list of Salt Lake City's Interfaith Month activities is available online at interfaithroundtable.org.
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