A new chapter for interfaith dialogue
AFN is part of the Nation Steering Group to oversee Inter Faith Week and beyond. Is great to be working with this team of dedicated people. This report was submitted by the ASHA Centre*.
Last week 32 senior representatives of local, regional and national interfaith organisations across England gathered in the Forest of Dean in rural Gloucestershire to plot a new course for interfaith dialogue in the country. The two-day conference was hosted by the human rights campaigner and author Zerbanoo Gifford at the ASHA Centre, which she founded. The Centre is an international charity offering wellbeing retreats, training of interfaith ministers and young leaders, and a platform for reconciliation and dialogue.
The Interfaith Conference came in the context of heightened tensions between different faith groups in Britain, exacerbated by conflicts in the Middle East and elsewhere. The closure of the Inter Faith Network for the UK has also left many involved in interfaith work feeling disheartened and isolated. There has been a particular question mark over the future of Inter Faith Week, an annual focus for inter faith dialogue and social action occurring every November: the Faith & Belief Forum recently led a government-funded consultation exercise on the future of the Week.
A strong sense of opportunity and new energy emerged during the Conference, and it was agreed that people of faith working together have the power to change things. Among the specific conclusions reached was that there should be greater organisation and communication between faith sector organisations to provide clearer messaging, avoid duplication and maximise resources; and better social outreach to communicate the good work being done by grassroots organisations.
It was also agreed that there should be a National Steering Group to oversee Inter Faith Week, and that local interfaith groups could do much more to share good practice and offer mutual support. The group committed to using its best efforts to make Inter Faith Week 2025 a success, and to continuing to work together.
ASHA Centre Founder, Zerbanoo Gifford, said: “It was an honour to personally host and help reenergise England’s interfaith movement, and to see so many of those that work tirelessly at the grassroots taking part. Today the movement has a new home at the ASHA Centre: a place where those who bravely and generously work to end mistrust and misunderstanding of ‘the other’ can find the collective strength to continue their timely and important work.”
Conference organiser Warwick Hawkins said: “My company Faith in Society was honoured to be asked to organise this conference. Interfaith activity in the UK is at something of a crossroads, and everyone involved was pleased to be able to help chart its future course in such a beautiful and inspiring setting.”
All Faiths Network
Barnet Multi Faith Forum
Bath Interfaith Group
Birmingham Council of Faiths
Brighton and Hove Faith in Action
Children of Abraham
Council of Christians and Jews
Coventry Multi Faith Forum
Faith and Belief Forum
Faiths Forum for London
Harrow Interfaith
Oxford Three Faiths Encounter
Religions for Peace UK
Sandwell Faith Sector Network
South East England Faiths Forum
United Religions Initiative UK
Watford Inter-Faith Association
World Zoroastrian Organisation
Other participants
Churches Together in Britain and Ireland
Faith in Society Ltd
National Association of Standing Advisory Councils on Religious Education
Religious Society of Friends – Quakers
*The ASHA Centre is an international charity for equality and empowerment in the fields of sustainable development, the arts and nterfaith and intercultural dialogue. It is based in a magnificent Georgian house situated in a large, tranquil garden. It does pioneering work in the fields of sustainability and understanding of our world’s extraordinary diversity. https://www.ashacentre.org
Faith in Society Ltd is a social enterprise that supports local and national faith groups, the public sector, business and charities to work together for the benefit of all. https://faithinsociety.org.uk
