Information on Loughborough

An invitation to celebrate diversity

Posted on 10/11/2009

Leicestershire Councty Council Chief Executive's

10 November 2009

An invitation to celebrate diversity

Photo Opportunity: Members of the public are being invited to find out more about different faiths in their community and to join in with a number of activities taking place across Leicester and Leicestershire.  The events will celebrate England's first-ever Inter Faith Week, which is taking place between 15th-21st November and also overlaps with the long-standing and widely marked Islam Awareness Week.

To launch the week locally, a special gathering of the Leicestershire Inter Faith Forum is taking place at County Hall on Monday 16th November at 6.30pm at which, Roger Wilson, the Chairman of Leicestershire County Council, and Roger Blackmore, the Lord Mayor of Leicester  will sign an Inter Faith Charter.  The Charter outlines the commitment and contribution of key local stakeholders in supporting mutual understanding with, and between, the different faith communities across Leicester and Leicestershire.

The week-long events aim to strengthen positive inter faith relations amongst communities and in particular, to celebrate and build on the contribution that people make to their neighbourhoods and to wider society.

During the celebrations, a range of activities will be taking place, including:

  • An exhibition of faiths in the Highcross Shopping Centre, displaying information about different religions.
  • 'Open Doors' at different places of worship across the city and county
  • An Inter Faith football tournament
  • Launch of Women’s Inter Faith Sporting Events
  • Opportunities to sign up to an Inter Faith Charter
  • An open day at the Multicultural Centre in Quorn
  • The launch of Leicestershire County Council's 'Communities Together' small grants fund which will provide funding to projects which play an active role in building bridges and promoting dialogue between different community groups.
  • A ‘Feast of Faiths’ in Loughborough
  • Exhibitions at Leicester Secular Society
  • The ‘Many Faiths – One Future’ Inter Faith conference at Leicester College for young people to explore their personal vision of inter faith in the future.

Roger Wilson, the Chairman of Leicestershire County Council, said:

"Inter Faith Week is a great opportunity for people of different faiths and beliefs to come together, explore what they have in common and build stronger bonds of understanding and cooperation.  The week demonstrates  the County’s commitment to Inter Faith understanding and acceptance, as well as ensuring that we celebrate the wonderful diversity in our community."

Roger Blackmore, Lord Mayor of Leicester, said:

“Leicester has a very rich cultural diversity, and events like this give people the chance to learn more about other faiths and the important role they play in contributing to their communities and the city as a whole.”

For more information about National Inter Faith Week please visit: www.leics.gov.uk/faith or contact Noel Singh on 0116 305 7020 or email: noel.singh@leics.gov.uk