Quakers highlight importance of inter faith work
Quaker meeting houses across the country are opening their doors this Inter Faith Week to highlight the importance of relationships among people of different beliefs.
This is the first Inter Faith Week since the closure of the Inter Faith Network (IFN) in April, after the previous government withdrew its funding.
The network had fostered good understanding between Britain's many faith communities for 37 years prior to its closure.
Its closure comes at a time when good relations between faiths across the UK are more important than ever.
Faith communities under threat
As Quakers in Britain told new faith minister Wajid Khan, a practising Muslim, in a letter in September, faith groups across the UK are facing difficult challenges.
The far-right riots in August targeted mosques, Muslims and Muslim-owned businesses. And antisemitic incidents have risen to a record high, according to a Jewish security charity.
“The far-right riots have had a devastating effect on minoritised communities and Muslim communities in particular," Paul Parker, recording clerk, wrote.
“As Quakers we work across faiths to build community connections and oppose all forms of racism including antisemitism."
He said that Quakers would welcome a clearer understanding of how a Labour government intends to support interfaith relations in the absence of the Inter Faith Network.
The letter highlighted the importance of “a strong, open and vibrant relationship between civil society and government," which is happening in an increasingly challenging environment.
This year's Inter Faith Week is being organised by several of the IFN's former members, despite the loss of funding.
Quaker events this Inter Faith Week include an open afternoons at Cheltenham and Leicester Meeting Houses and a talk at Cotteridge Meeting.