Faiths vital to foster good relations, minister tells major conference
Faith communities are key to long-term harmony, Faith Minister Wajid Khan told a major conference on national cohesion at Quaker central offices in London on Wednesday.
In August 2024, England and Northern Ireland saw the worst racist, anti-migrant violence for decades, following the fatal stabbing of three children in Southport.
After the riots: A Cohesion Summit, organised by Belong, British Futures, and Together, brought together experts and practitioners to develop a collective response to this violence.
Wajid Khan said a more unified society where communities can thrive benefits us all and described the role of faith communities as key in sharing both diversity and common ground.
He said, “Faith communities are vital. They address immediate needs and foster harmony through long term work."
Others noted that the UK's Inter Faith Network closed in April when the previous government withdrew its funding after 37 years of fostering understanding between Britain's faith communities.
Adam Kelwick, imam of Abdullah Quilliam Mosque, who opened the doors of his mosque to protestors in August, said: “There are so many myths about my faith.
“People have an image of a Muslim in their heads and when they meet you and discover you are nothing like the stereotype, the process of thinking starts."
Many expressed the need for a national long-term cohesion strategy with cross party support providing resources at a local level to address the many challenges of our fractured world.
Areas discussed included:
- Racism, prejudice and hate (on the streets, online, in the media, and in corridors of power)
- complex root causes of conflict
- the role of social media
- global events impacting the local
- diminished resources
- distrust in democracy
- the enduring impacts of the violence on the people targeted
- the need to equip young people with conflict skills
- the many examples of good work on the ground and the need to get better at sharing stories of everyday peace and good relations work.
The Quakers' Peacebuilding in Britain team works to support community approaches to peace and conflict. Hosting the summit at Friends House is part of that work.
Paul Parker, recording clerk for Quakers in Britain, said: “Quakers see something of the divine in every person. When we collectively fail to treat each other equally and without violence, we all suffer."