INTER FAITH WEEK must proceed in recognition of all that the variety of religion and belief contributes to public life within the UK, but needs to maneuver “beyond the bubble” of those already involved, a report says.
The Inter Faith Network (IFN) launched the week, held every November, in 2009, but was closed last spring after the last government withdrew its funding — a “matter of great regret”, the Archbishop of York said. The work of the IFN had “helped to bind diverse communities for a few years”, he said on the time (News, 1 March 2024).
In November, a coalition of national interfaith organisations coordinated the week, supported by a grant from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, which commissioned research on the week.
The findings of the consultation, led by the Faith and Belief Forum, were published on Thursday of last week within the report Bursting the Bubble: Recommendations for enhancing Inter Faith Week in England. It calls on interfaith organisations to collaborate to expand their reach. It also recommends that the Government provide sustained funding and visual endorsement of interfaith work, and that more engagement occur with schools and universities.
Religious leaders needs to be offered training to assist them to interact with Interfaith Week and discuss it of their communities, the report says.
The Minister for Faith, Communities and Resettlement, Lord Khan, said: “This wealthy report reflects the importance, creativity and commitment of the interfaith movement within the UK. It highlights the urgent must involve more people from all walks of life and for Inter Faith Week to attach with a good wider audience.”
At the parliamentary launch of the report, he said that interfaith engagement was vital and that the annual week helped to strengthen community cohesion and deepen understanding.
The Bishop of Lichfield, Dr Michael Ipgrave, said that the report was clear that the week should remain within the calendar as a “viable and vital focus for interfaith activity within the UK”.
The conflict within the Middle East and up to date riots in UK cities presented huge challenges, but additionally showed how vital the work was to the “well-being of society”, he said. “This work plays a key role in promoting social cohesion and belonging within the UK.”
