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The Local
Inter Faith Zone
“Local inter faith initiatives are vital contributors to greater
understanding between people of different faiths in the UK”
Rt Rev Dr Tom Butler and Dr Nawal Prinja Co-Chairs The Inter
Faith Network
Local inter faith initiatives
Local inter faith bodies make a vital contribution to
their areas through creating opportunities for interaction and
engagement.
One of the main ways to get involved in inter faith
activity in your local area is by becoming involved in the activities
of a local inter faith organisation. Local
inter faith organisations bring groups and individuals of different
faiths together in such activities as:
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learning more about each others’ perspectives
through talks, visits to each others’ places of worship |
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working on particular projects and events
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tackling prejudice and discrimination through
awareness raising, diversity training and educational programmes |
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raising awareness about the importance of peaceful
and respectful coexistence in a multi faith society |
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advising local government, the Police, hospitals
and other public services on religious issues and the needs of
users of different faiths |
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assisting on local multi faith civic ceremonies and
events |
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responding to any local incidents such as attacks
on places of worship or cemeteries |
If you are interested in learning more about the sorts
of activities that local groups carry out, you can look at the special
focus pages in this section or download free
The Local Inter Faith Guide and
Inter Faith Activity in the UK: A Survey.
Inter Faith Organisations in the UK: A Directory,
fourth edition 2007, contains a page about each of over 250 national
and local inter faith bodies in the UK giving information about their
aims and activities, staffing, charitable status and membership
policy. The directory is available in printed form only at £8.95 plus
£2.05 postage from the Network Office’
Local inter faith organisations vary in their
programmes but all welcome an interest in their work and most offer
opportunities for individuals to join in their activities and help
promote inter faith respect and understanding.
Finding out if there is a local inter faith body in your area
To find out if there is a local inter faith
organisation in your area, look at the
listing
on this site. If there is, you can then contact them
either through the email address given there or through the Inter
Faith Network office. The Network tries to keep in touch with all
local inter faith initiatives but sometimes does not hear about new
ones for a few months so it is also worth checking with your local
Council for Voluntary Service, local authority and library to see if
one has recently come into existence or is being planned for your
area.
Starting a new initiative
If
you do not find a local group through any of the ways you have tried
you may want to help to
start a group.
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"Perhaps one of the major achievements of
the Forum since its inception has simply been a readiness and a
commitment, on the part of the leaders of the different faiths
represented in Oldham, to work jointly to foster mutual
understanding. The fact that we have assembled together on a
regular basis, prayed together, worked together, eaten together
and properly constituted ourselves as a legal entity has
eloquently proclaimed the message of cohesion."
Oldham Inter Faith
Forum |
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