Thousands of people are expected to join various activities set for Inter Faith Week which will be held on November 10-17 in England, Northern Ireland and Wales.
Started in 2009, Inter Faith Week aims to promote tolerance and unity among different faith groups in the UK. This year, the week will also celebrate the positive contributions of these groups to their communities, reports Premier.
Inter Faith Week is a great opportunity for people to come together, learn about people in their communities, and make common cause together.
Rt. Rev. Jonathan Clark, Area Bishop of Croydon and Jatinder Singh Birdi, co-chairs of the Inter Faith Network for the UK, said, “Inter Faith Week is a great opportunity for people to come together, learn about people in their communities, and make common cause together. Such actions are a powerful antidote to language of division and to prejudice.”
Exciting activities such as music festivals, art exhibits, faith walks, and debates await the participants, both religious and non-religious. Public spaces, including schools, sports venues and community centers will be the venues for these events.
“Inter Faith Week provides everyone taking part with a great opportunity to learn about different faiths and beliefs, and to celebrate the contribution of different faith groups to society,” said Government’s Faith Minister, Viscount Younger.
During the inauguration of Inter Faith Week, theologian Dr Rowan Williams hosted an event attended by faith community leaders. The participants signed a statement about their commitment to interfaith work.
Parts of the statement read, “We believe that good inter faith relations are a vital part of a harmonious, just and respectful society. We pledge today, to deepen our work to increase understanding about and between our faiths and to strengthen our cooperation on social issues.”
