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ABOUT ICI Inc

Interfaith Community Initiatives is a vibrant and dynamic organization dedicated to fostering understanding, respect, and friendship across religious, racial, and cultural boundaries. As the umbrella organization for World Pilgrims, Interfaith Immersions, and Sacred Spaces, ICI is at the forefront of creating unique and transformative experiences that celebrate diversity and inspires deep engagement in interfaith appreciation and cooperation. These programs encourage us to get to know each other by connecting as human beings in God’s presence. In other words “the holy in me recognizes and honors the holy in you”. We bring together persons of all faiths to honor the sacredness and uniqueness of all traditions, persons committed to developing long-term interfaith relationships and collaboration and who are willing to address common and shared human and community challenges. Our times together fosters trust, inspires understanding, respects diversity, facilitates safe interactions and provides added meaning to our lives.

Fast Facts about Interfaith Community Initiatives (ICI):

Historical Fast Facts:

  • Mission: Fostering understanding, respect, and friendship across religious, racial, and cultural boundaries.

  • Umbrella Organization: ICI includes World Pilgrims, Interfaith Immersions, and Sacred Spaces programs.

  • Global Reach: World Pilgrims takes participants to sacred sites around the world, including countries like South Africa, Vietnam, and Jordan.

  • Local Focus: Interfaith Immersions offers 2-3 day journeys into diverse local cultures and sacred spaces within our communities.

  • Sacred Spaces Program: Provides guided visits to local places of worship, including churches, temples, mosques, and synagogues in Atlanta.

  • Core Belief: Bringing people together through shared experiences helps break down barriers and foster lasting connections.

  • Impact: ICI’s programs create transformative experiences, encouraging dialogue, mutual respect, and interfaith harmony.

  • Vision: Building bridges across divides to create a world where understanding, peace, and friendship flourish.

  • Founders of World Pilgrims: Jan Swanson, Plemon El-Amin, and Wayne Smith came together to establish World Pilgrims, driven by their shared commitment to fostering interfaith understanding.

  • Response to 9/11: World Pilgrims was created as a direct response to the events of 9/11, recognizing the urgent need for building bridges across religious and cultural divides.

  • Sacred Journeys, Not Tourism: World Pilgrims organizes sacred pilgrimages, offering spiritual journeys for participants to connect deeply with one another, rather than simply being travel seminars or tourist ventures.

  • First Pilgrimage: The inaugural World Pilgrims pilgrimage in 2002 traveled to Turkey, bringing together 45 religious leaders from various faiths for a transformative experience.

  • Global Reach: Since its inception, more than 5,000 travelers have participated in pilgrimages, visiting over 30 countries around the world.

  • Distant Pilgrimages: The longest-distance journeys undertaken by World Pilgrims have been to South Africa and Vietnam, reflecting the organization’s global scope.

  • Founding of Interfaith Community Initiatives (ICI): In 2011, Interfaith Community Initiatives was established as the umbrella organization for World Pilgrims, Interfaith Immersions, Sacred Spaces, and other programs, dedicated to promoting interfaith dialogue and harmony.

  • Founders of ICI: Rev. Dr. Ben Johnson was among the visionaries who helped found ICI, expanding its mission to include local and global interfaith experiences.

  • Award-Winning Documentary: In 2008, Angela Harrington Rice and Sharon Phillip produced the Emmy Award-winning documentary, World Pilgrims: A Sacred Journey to Turkey, while working at Atlanta Interfaith Broadcasters, showcasing the powerful impact of these pilgrimages on interfaith relationships.

  • 2019 Interfaith Immersions: In 2019, Interfaith Community Initiatives developed a special series of Interfaith Immersions for five metro Atlanta communities, involving over 120 public safety officers who visited 25 houses of worship. This initiative strengthened relationships between local communities and those who serve and protect them by fostering understanding and trust across different faiths.

  • 20th Anniversary Celebration: In 2020, Interfaith Community Initiatives celebrated its 20-year anniversary with a gala event that attracted nearly 2,000 attendees. Dr. Gerald Durley, a leader on several World Pilgrims journeys, delivered the keynote address, marking a significant milestone in the organization's journey of promoting interfaith understanding.

  • 2024 Pilgrimage to Vietnam: In 2024, ICI-World Pilgrims organized a pilgrimage to Vietnam and invited Gareth Young as their first Buddhist leader, marking a significant expansion beyond their traditional monotheistic focus

Programs for Your Interfaith Needs

At ICI Inc, we offer a comprehensive range of services designed to address a diverse array of local business requirements. Our team is adept at providing strategic insights, implementing efficient processes, and delivering results that propel your business forward.


Whether you need consultancy, project management, or customized solutions, we have the expertise to support you at every stage. Our commitment to excellence and client satisfaction sets us apart as the premier choice for local businesses seeking reliable and innovative services. To learn more about our programs, click the button below. 

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