Faith Leaders Statements of Support
As part of the inaugural Inter Faith Week in 2009, the then Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, hosted an event attended by Faith Community Leaders. At the event, participants signed a statement acknowledging the value of, and representing their commitment to, interfaith work.
British Muslim Network
Interfaith Week is an important moment in the UK calendar. Encouraging people of all faiths to come together, meet new people and engage in positive social action together is what we need to see. We know that faith communities are an integral part of what makes our country great, our diversity is our strength. By continuing to work together and by encouraging the next generation to do the same, we can ensure that division and hatred do not take hold and that hope and connection can be our focus, together
Imam Qari Asim and Akeela Ahmed, Co-chairs, the British Muslim Network
British Sikh Consultative Forum (BSCF)
The British Sikh Consultative Forum (BSCF) proudly supports UK Interfaith Week, a celebration of understanding, respect, and shared humanity across different traditions. As Sikhs, we are guided by the teachings of the 10 Sikh Gurus, who emphasised the oneness of humanity, equality, and service to all. These values motivate us to work alongside people of all faiths and none, building stronger, more compassionate, and inclusive communities.
UK Interfaith Week offers a vital opportunity to celebrate the rich diversity of our nation, deepen understanding between different traditions, and strengthen the bonds of friendship and trust that unite us. At a time when divisions too often dominate the headlines, we believe it is more important than ever to highlight the values we share of respect, kindness, justice, and a commitment to the common good.
The BSCF reaffirms its dedication to working collaboratively. We aim to build strong partnerships with interfaith organisations, community groups, and public institutions, fostering dialogue, understanding, and cooperation. By uniting, we can ensure that the UK remains a society where diversity is valued and everyone can thrive. The Sikh faith, rooted in the teachings of the Guru Granth Sahib Ji, affirms that all people are connected through the same divine light: “Everything is the Light; all beings are within the creation. From the One Light, the entire universe emerged - so who is good, and who is bad?” (Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Ang 1349). Our scriptures remind us that while people may use different names for the Divine - Ram, Allah, Khuda, or Gosain. There is but One Creator: “Some call the One Ram, some call the One Khuda; some serve the One as Gosain, some as Allah.” (Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Ang 885).
True faith, Sikhi teaches, is measured not by labels or divisions but by how we live with compassion and virtue: “Recognise the Light within all, and do not consider social class or status; there are no classes or castes in the world hereafter.” (Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Ang 349). The Gurus call us to see every person as part of the one human family: “No one is my enemy, no one is a stranger; I get along with everyone.” (Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Ang 1299). UK Interfaith Week reminds us of our responsibility to build bridges of understanding and stand together for the common good. The BSCF reaffirms its commitment to interfaith dialogue, friendship, and cooperation, guided by the timeless Sikh principle that all humanity is one.
Ms Inderpal Kaur Singh, Faith & Community Engagement Officer, British Sikh Consultative Forum
Churches Together in Britain and Ireland
Many of our faith communities have faced challenging times in the past year. It so important that as people of different faiths (and none) we stand together in solidarity. If one of us is demonised or attacked, then we all suffer. Inter Faith Week is a time when we support one another as people of different religions and work together for the good of all in our communities. It is also an occasion to celebrate the religious and cultural diversity of our society and the way it enriches all our lives.
Revd Graham Sparkes, Moderator of Churches Together in Britain and Ireland
The West Midlands Faith Alliance
The West Midlands Faith Alliance stands united in our shared commitment to building stronger, safer and more compassionate communities. In a time when division can easily overshadow connection, we affirm the importance of partnership, hope and courage in bringing people together. We believe that every individual, family and neighbourhood deserves to live with dignity, safety and a sense of belonging.
Our work is rooted in the conviction that when we support and empower one another, we unlock the potential for lasting change and flourishing communities. We seek to stand alongside all people, people of faith, of no faith, and those who are still finding their way, recognising the richness and strength that diversity brings.
This Inter Faith Week, we reaffirm our commitment to unity, collaboration and mutual care, working hand in hand for the wellbeing of all who call the West Midlands home.
The Executive, The West Midlands Alliance
Hindu Council UK
Hindu Council UK is committed to raising awareness of faith communities and promoting understanding among people of different religious and non-religious beliefs. HCUK wholeheartedly supports Interfaith Week as it gives opportunities to create a better future and put an end to discrimination and hatred.. It brings different faiths and backgrounds together to celebrate and learn from each other. Through interfaith week activities, we can unite in common cause and promote mutual respect between different religions and beliefs.
Interfaith dialogues help to diffuse tensions that result from misunderstandings about the faith beliefs of other religions. It promotes harmony between all people regardless of their faith. Interfaith week activities highlight core values that are shared by all religions - values like compassion, respect, love hope and peace. These core values are necessary for sustaining life in all communities.
Krishna Bhan, Chair, Hindu Council UK
Jewish Small Communities Network
As a community representing a small but vital part of the UK’s rich religious landscape, British Jews deeply value the opportunity that Inter Faith Week provides to come together with people of all faiths and none. Beyond the larger metropolitan centres, over one hundred smaller Jewish communities exist across Britain’s regions. Often invisible in national discourse, these communities face a world increasingly eager to label people by the “correct” opinion, often without intellectual rigour. Getting to know one another through working side by side helps neighbours become more visible to each other, encourages a deeper appreciation of complexity, and inspires a genuine desire to go beneath the surface and see beyond our preconceptions.
Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, of blessed memory, beautifully described this plural civic society as “the home we build together.” In his vision, each community has its own “room” — its unique identity and traditions — while sharing the same “public spaces” where collective life and cooperation flourish. By working side by side in friendship, shared values, and service, we strengthen not only our own communities but also the wider society in which we live. Together, we build neighbourly, inclusive, and resilient communities rooted in respect and common purpose. This week is a hopeful call to continue the vital work of bridge-building, fostering mutual respect, and creating a more peaceful, just, and harmonious Britain.
Ed Horwich, Chief Executive of Jewish Small Communities Network
National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United Kingdom
Inter Faith Week is an invitation to reflect on the deep bonds that connect the many faiths and beliefs that enrich life in the United Kingdom today. It calls into focus the fact that we are all “the fruits of one tree, and the leaves of one branch.” It is a reminder that, every year, through interfaith initiatives and activities, vital work is ongoing throughout the UK, building relationships that transcend differences and nurture genuine unity, understanding and friendship.
By fostering trust among people of diverse beliefs, we strengthen the moral and spiritual foundations of our communities. When diversity is embraced with sincerity, it moves beyond mere tolerance to give rise to a harmony that can illuminate and uplift the life of the whole nation and beyond. “So powerful is the light of unity that it can illuminate the whole earth.” Recognising our inherent oneness requires the development of moral and spiritual capacities – capacities which the important work of interfaith helps to inculcate.
Marco Milone, Secretary, National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United Kingdom
The Pagan Federation
The Pagan Federation wholeheartedly welcomes Interfaith Week 2025. This annual week offers a meaningful opportunity for people of all faiths and beliefs to stand alongside one another in service, dialogue, and solidarity.
This year’s theme, “Community: Together We Serve. Serving others, sharing values, building belonging,” reflects values that lie at the very heart of interfaith work. Interfaith Week shines a light on the good work being done by local faith-based and interfaith groups across the country, drawing new participants into learning and cooperation, and fostering greater interaction among people of diverse backgrounds. It celebrates our diversity while recognising the many values that we share, helping us build stronger, more neighbourly communities.
From a Pagan perspective, the Week resonates deeply with our commitment to interconnectedness, reverence for community, and shared responsibility for the well-being of all living beings. Pagans across the UK take pride in contributing to local and national interfaith initiatives, and in bringing our own voices, traditions, and practices into dialogue with others. By doing so, we add to the richness of the collective tapestry of faith and belief in our society.In the spirit of this year’s theme—serving others, sharing values, building belonging—the Pagan Federation reaffirms its commitment to interfaith engagement, collaboration, and the cultivation of inclusive, harmonious communities for all.
Mike Stygal, National Interfaith Manager, The Pagan Federation
Quakers in Britain
On behalf of Quakers in Britain, I'm delighted to offer our support for Inter Faith Week 2025. This week is a crucial opportunity to celebrate the diverse tapestry of beliefs and traditions that enrich our society and to strengthen the bonds of friendship between people of all faiths and none. As Quakers, we believe that building a peaceful and just world is rooted in our relationships with each other. By engaging in open, respectful dialogue and working together on issues of common concern, we can break down barriers and build more compassionate and resilient communities.
Inter Faith Week reminds us that despite our differences, we share a common humanity and a shared responsibility to care for our neighbours. We stand in solidarity with everyone working to build bridges and foster mutual respect. We support you as you continue this crucial work.
In friendship and solidarity,
Judith Baker, Ecumenical & Interfaith Officer and Conciliation & Peacebuilding Coordinator, Quakers in Britain