Interfaith week - Living in Harmony?

On Saturday morning, November 20th, around 170 people met at Aylesbury Vale Academy for an interfaith event. As part of the first national Interfaith Week, the Aylesbury-based group, Learning Together, Living in Harmony, staged the activities which brought people together from many religions and cultures to learn more about each other and to debate the question; are we living in harmony?  

It featured speakers from nine different faiths: Buddhism, The Baha’i Faith, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Jainism, Judaism, Quakerism and Sikhism. There were also displays and tables where people browsed over leaflets and booklets.

Revd David Jenkins, (above) one of the organisers, said: “It was a wonderful opportunity to meet with people from different communities. We heard some key information about each featured faith, and there was a lively question and discussion period.” 

The aims of National Interfaith Week are: to strengthen good inter faith relations at all levels; to increase awareness of the different and distinct faith communities in the UK; and to increase understanding between people of religious and non-religious belief.

Prevent Engagement Officer, Neelam Mahmood, who has also been involved in organising the event, said: “We live in a multi-faith and multi-cultural community and this event is a celebration of this. Meeting people of different faiths and learning about them helps to break down barriers and remove prejudice or suspicion, ensuring that we can live in harmony.”

Learning Together, Living in Harmony welcomes at its meetings all people who support its aims whatever their faith.

To find out more about National Interfaith week go to: http://www.communities.gov.uk/news/corporate/1183635

The Learning Together Living in Harmony group acknowledges help from: Aylesbury Town Council, Aylesbury Vale District Council, Bucks County Council, Islah Youth Provision and Community Engagement, Thames Valley Police.