Inter Faith Week 2016

Inter Faith Week, now in its eighth year has become a firm fixture in the national calendar and its growing significance reflects the diversity of our society and the great importance of understanding each other and living well together. It is a Week that is about learning, respect, cooperation, new friendships and stronger communities.

In a message about the Week, Prime Minister Theresa May said: "Inter Faith Week is an excellent opportunity to celebrate the incredible diversity and richness of faith communities in Britain. It is also a chance for people of all faiths to come together and to highlight the invaluable contribution they collectively make to their neighbourhoods and to wider society."

Hundreds of events and activities will be happening and thousands of people of different faiths and beliefs will be taking part. The Week aims to:

Strengthen good inter faith relations at all levels

Increase awareness of the different and distinct faith communities in the UK, in particular celebrating and building on the contribution which their members make to their neighbourhoods and to wider society

Increase understanding between people of religious and non-religious beliefs

A wide range of organisations will be taking part, from faith groups, inter faith bodies, and belief groups to schools, youth organisations, universities, hospitals, police forces, football clubs, museums and libraries, businesses and many more. Activities can be viewed on a map at www.interfaithweek.org/map

This year, Inter Faith Week begins on Remembrance Sunday and is encouraging people of different backgrounds to mark it together, particularly at this time of commemorating World War 1 in which soldiers of many faiths from the UK and what became the Commonwealth countries served. There will be a number of Inter Faith Week multi faith remembrance events taking place.

Inter Faith Week is led by the Inter Faith Network for the UK which works to promote inter faith cooperation and understanding in the UK. IFN Co-Chairs, the Rt Revd Richard Atkinson and Jatinder Singh Birdi, say:

"In all the nations of the UK this coming Week an amazing array of events will be taking place to showcase the way in which faith and belief groups are making their contribution to the wellbeing of their areas and to strengthen inter faith understanding and cooperation. The Inter Faith Network for the UK works year round, with its member bodies and others, to promote good inter faith relations. However, this annual Week helps to shine a light on this ever more vital area of activity that both enriches us and helps us live well together as a society."

Communities Secretary, Sajid Javid MP says: "Inter Faith Week is all about bringing people together to help improve understanding of different faiths and share what we have in common. I hope lots of people will get involved and celebrate the different faiths that make up British life."

Scottish Interfaith Week, which has taken place since 2004, is taking place on the same dates as the Week in England, Northern Ireland and Wales.

Inter Faith Week 2016

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