URI is proud to announce the addition of five new CCs to our family. The number of CCs in India continues to grow, and the first CC in Algeria, North Africa and the second CC in Nepal, Asia have just formed. Also, a very active and well known Interfaith Council in San Francisco is now part of our community. All these CCs have proven their will and commitment to organize around activities that are relevant and consistent with our Preamble, Purpose and Principles. Please welcome these groups, numbering more than a hundred people from diverse religions, spiritual expressions or indigenous traditions, joining us in the pursuit our purpose of promoting enduring daily interfaith cooperation to end religiously motivated violence and to create cultures of peace, justice and healing for the Earth and all living beings.

Asia Region

Rainbow CC

Most members of Rainbow CC are between the age of 20 and 32 years old, and are from various ethical and economical backgrounds. Their purpose is to bring youth talent to the forefront of society by aiming to “bridge the gap between elders and youth in a sacred way, by creating a common platform of dialogue to address issues and social challenges.” Recent highlights of their group include: engaging youth in rural development, running a computer education program, and organizing “Run for Peace.” Members are looking forward to connecting with the global community and having an international platform for local voices to be heard. [Primary Contact Person: Mr. Udit Chakraborty at This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it ]

Tiruvalla Interfaith Forum CC

This CC draws Christians, Hindus and Muslims together for the purpose of “making the world a better place to live.” They have shown their dedication to this goal, as many members of this CC are deeply involved in the Y.M.C.A. and the Y’s Men’s Club, and have been involved in social service activities for a long time, which include running a hostel for youth, a school for the physically disabled, and housing project for the homeless. In the past, some of the members organized an Inter-faith Forum in Tiruvalla, and after being inspired through meetings organized by Abraham Karickam and the inauguration of the URI Peace Center, they decided to transform this group into a CC of URI. [Primary Contact Person: Sajan Varughese at This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it ]

Youth Society for Peace (YSP) Nepal

In a society that sorely misses the contentment of a peaceful existence, it is becoming increasingly important that the youth of today (who are the leaders of tomorrow) have access to a community of like minded peers who will mutually nurture their peaceful vision for the future. In this way, Young Society for Peace CC hopes to refine and to promote their vision into the wider world and encourage peaceful practices and a sense of social responsibility. YSP does through two groups; one is called “Seeds of Peace,” which brings together children between the ages of 3 and 15 years old from the vicinity to enjoy slokas, songs, yoga, meditation, games, public speaking, and other character building activities. The YSP also hosts “Thoughts of Youth” (TOY) Forum, which encourages young people to discuss various contemporary issues and the ways they can help. [Primary Contact Person: Ms. Minakshi Yogi at This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it ]

Afrikayyah Interfaith Action CC

This CC’s purpose is to promote sustainable development, peace, harmony, and understanding that we are one civilization with many cultures. As the first of their kind in Algeria and Eu, North Africa, this CC plans to join people of different religions and hold meetings and activities related to the North Africa region. Their most memorable activity as a CC was taking part in a session of activities by different CCs in Germany and Jordan to promote peace through sports. Their upcoming activities include: holding seminars, workshops and conferences to promote for interfaith and religious dialogue and understanding amongst local communities, mainly targeting Youth as being agents of effective change in the society. [Primary Contact Person: Tamam bin Fahmi at This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it ] 

North America Region

San Francisco Interfaith Council

This CC’s purpose is “to bring people together to build understanding, serve the community, and celebrate diverse faiths and spiritual traditions.” With members from 14 different faiths, San Francisco Interfaith Council strives to actualize harmony among faiths and build community at a local level. This CC is already an influential sponsor and organizer for various interfaith activities in the Bay Area, and their future goals include the following: Disaster preparedness for San Francisco Congregations, Clergy sensitivity training to minister to returning Iraq/Afghanistan veterans and their families, winter shelter for homeless men, promoting Fair Trade Coffee sales to San Francisco Congregations to support Peace Kawomera CC in Uganda. Visit their website to hear more about the many wonderful projects this CC promotes http://www.sf-interfaith.org/about_council.html. [Primary Contact Person: Michael Pappas at This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it ]