'Enormously energetic': Inter Faith Week 2018 

More than 500 activities are known to have taken place across the UK during Inter Faith Week 2018, with the final figure expected to be higher

The week began on 11 November and drew to a close on Sunday 18 November, and was described by the Inter Faith Network for the UK as being 'enormously energetic and positive'.  
 
'There have been hundreds of events involving thousands of people of different backgrounds, young and old,' the co-chairs said in a statement. 
 
'It has been wonderful to see faith communities leading in activities in many areas and first time participants from primary schools through to major national employers entering into the annual opportunity to deepen understanding, respect and cooperation.'

The week begins each year on Remembrance Sunday to enable people of different backgrounds to remember together the service of soldiers and civilians of all faiths and beliefs and to reflect on peace. This year, Remembrance Sunday was also the centenary of Armistice Day, which brought an additional dimension.
 
Events were held in a range of settings, including churches, gurdwaras, mandirs, synagogues, mosques, temples, viharas, schools, sports grounds, parks, council chambers, museums and galleries, libraries, community centres, hospitals and hospices, concourses of major rail stations. There were practical projects such as tree planting by groups of different faiths and collections for those in need, discussions and dialogues, arts and cultural events, and much more. Tough issues were tackled, as well as commonalities and friendship celebrated.

In the course of the week, the Baptists Together Inter Faith Working Group released its latest resources, Encountering Islam and Encountering Sikhism. 

The Government’s Minister for Faith, Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth, launched his report ‘Belief in communities: bridging the divide.’ The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, the Rt Hon James Brokenshire MP attended, as the local MP, the London Borough of Bexley’s Faith in the Community Awards.
 
National inter faith initiatives and local inter faith groups have been showcased through the week, organising dialogues, workshops, concerts, festivals, fairs, exhibitions, faith trails and many other kinds of activity. Remembrance events of many kinds were part of this, such as at Dor Kemmyn Field near Truro.

For more information about what happened during the week, visit the Inter Faith Week website.

Image | Baptist minister Andy Williams, chair of the Baptists Together Inter Faith Working Group, with a member of the Hindu Council UK