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Faith groups and Eric Pickles discuss 'living well together'

Inter Faith Week: national faith communities' event

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

Communities Secretary Eric Pickles and Chief Rabbi Lord Sacks

On Monday (21 November 2011) Communities Secretary Eric Pickles joined the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, Chief Rabbi Lord Sacks and representatives from 9 faith communities for informal discussions on the theme of ‘living well together in Britain today’.

The national faith communities’ event marks the start of the first working day of Inter Faith Week, a week in which places of worship throw open their doors to other faith communities and people and groups of different backgrounds hold events to highlight their work to promote understanding between people of different faiths and beliefs.

Among the 400 community-led celebrations, lectures, exhibitions and school visits that are expected to take place this week are:

  • the official opening of the new Inter-Faith Centre in Ipswich
  • a short season of films with themes of religion or belief, celebrating the 25th anniversary of Leicester Council of Faiths
  • a bread making course in Liverpool where loaves made will be donated to a local soup kitchen
  • a multi faith tree planting event of English oaks in a local park in Wakefield

Eric Pickles said:

“Inter Faith Week strengthens relations, increases awareness of our different faith communities and is a great opportunity to celebrate the remarkable practical contribution that faith groups make, inspiring great numbers of people to public service. We would be poorer by far without their contribution.

“Inter faith activity is thriving as the range of fantastic events taking place up and down the country clearly proves and I’d encourage everyone to get involved this week and in the weeks and months that follow.”

The special inter faith conversation on ‘living well together’ in Britain today was organised by The Inter Faith Network for the UK.

Published 23 November 2011