PRESS RELEASE

"Interfaith Week 2009: Many Faiths, One Family"

Commemorating the Olympic Spirit every February, "Interfaith Week in
Utah" returns this February 1-8, 2009 for its seventh year, renewing a
vision of religious, intercultural, and global goodwill. Sponsored by the
Salt Lake Interfaith Roundtable (founded in 1999 for the 2002 Olympics), Interfaith Week is the group's annual signature event.

"Our mission is to promote love, harmony, and understanding among
people of all faith traditions, cultures, and belief systems," explains Brian Farr, chair of the Roundtable. "We hope Interfaith Week moves us all closer to that goal."

A flood of faith-related events fill Interfaith Week, spilling into the
week before and after, with topics ranging from Buddhist film, Utah Jewish
history, student spirituality, religious art, folk music, Muslim prayer, African-American spirituals, conflict resolution, global peace, Turkish dessert, mythic imagination, neo-Pagan meditation, architectural tours, and interfaith worship.

"Interfaith Week offers a unique focus on religious pluralism, with many ways to approach that diversity--via art, music, text, images, dance, film, dialogue, practice, or worship," said Maxine Hanks, chair of I-Week. "Each year brings an array of religious cultural experiences."

A complete schedule of all Interfaith Week events and details is available at www.utahfaiths.org/slc 

The week begins at the SLC Public Library, with two films on Sunday Feb.
1st at 12:30 p.m. "Beyond Our Differences" (Bill Moyers documentary) and
"Kundun" (story of Dalai Lama) with comments by Khando Chazotsang
(niece of the Dalai Lama).

The week culminates at the Salt Lake Tabernacle on Sunday Feb. 8, with
the annual "Interfaith Music Tribute to the Human Spirit," a worship
service of music, prayers, dance, song, and devotions from "Many Faiths,
One Family. " The Tribute begins at 5 p.m., narrated by KSL's Carole
Mikita, with participation from Buddhist, Catholic, Episcopal, First
Nation, Greek Orthodox, Hindu, Jewish, LDS, Muslim, Presbyterian,
Protestant, and other faiths.

Alan Bachman, chair of the Tribute says, "We're pleased to have several
children's choirs from Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, and Christian faiths,
as well as the distinguished Greek Orthodox choirs." A musician and member  of Kol Ami/Chabad congregations, Bachman believes, "Music is an expression of the divine, filtered through human diversity. The sound of faith is heard in Scottish pipes, calls to prayer, and children's voices."

Bachman hopes that attendees will, "See the uniqueness of each faith,
the importance of celebrating that uniqueness, and understand that
together, they create a beautiful harmony."

The Tribute is sponsored by the Salt Lake Interfaith Roundtable. Tickets
are free, but going fast, from www.lds.org/events  or 1-866-LDS-TIKS,
or the Conference Center ticket office, or at the Tabernacle door
before performance.

"There's a world of faith within Utah," comments Elaine Emmi,
Quaker and former chair of the Roundtable. "Many faith traditions,
cultures, and belief systems are found here, each one deserves
respect and acceptance."

"A common teaching in the world's great religions is that we are all
sisters and brothers in the same family and should treat each other
with kindness and in a spirit of brotherhood," explains Brian Farr.
"Building interfaith friendships is religion in action."

Alan Bachman agrees. "One way to actually bring peace to the world
is to participate in activities that bring people of different faiths
together. We all wonder what we can do to heal our world. This
is one opportunity. Interfaith events offer steps we can take to make
the world a better place."

A listing of Interfaith Week events is available at
http://www.utah-faiths.org/2009%20Events.htm

 The public is welcome
and all events are free (unless noted otherwise).