Intergration – Faith Matters

Integration

Faith Matters — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 10:50:22 +0000

Integration of different faith communities into the mainstream of UK society is one of many projects that Faith Matters devises and co-ordinates. Integration is fundamental in ensuring that faith communities do not feel isolated and excluded and this can lead to a range of issues with extremism and fundamentalism being two social phenomenon that can be exacerbated by the lack of integration.

Faith Matters have worked on numerous integration projects ranging from bringing out the shared values amongst different faith groups to identifying and working with groups so that they can play a constructive and positive role in their local communities and within our country. The integration projects which Faith Matters devises and co-ordinates aim to increase shared values and enhance tolerance in the UK.

Faith Leadership Through Chaplaincy: Experiences from Muslim Communities: Summary of Issues and Recommendations from Consultations with Chaplains, Sector Leaders and Communities

Faith Matters — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 10:24:04 +0000

This is a report that outlines the views of Muslim chaplains, sector leaders and Muslim communities as well as other faith communities on faith leadership. This work was undertaken over a 7 month period and took in a number of key organisations that work with Muslim and other faith communities. This is a unique report that looks at the provision of chaplaincy and pastoral care services within the following sectors: The NHS, Higher and Further Education sectors and the Prison Service.

The report also outlines the growing chaplaincy and pastoral skills base that is growing within Muslim communities and this is a mechanism through which all faiths can support people when they are going through traumatic or turbulent periods in their lives.

Developing a Local Narrative Against Extremism

Faith Matters — Sun, 26 Sep 2010 23:41:39 +0000

The Our Faiths and Our Shared Futures booklet is the culmination of 1 years work with imams, priests and rabbis in Derby. The booklet looks at scriptural narratives that underscore the need for (1) the respect of difference (2) the protection of life (3) countering extremism.

The booklet is made up of the work of many within the City and is a local narrative against division and extremism and against those who want to separate communities. Faith Matters worked with local religious leaders in looking at relevant religious texts in relation to the themes above and also facilitated interfaith meetings. The text was then edited by local young people in Derby and Faith Matters faciliated and supported local Derby young people in putting together the booklet. This is a booklet developed by local residents in Derby to tackle issues of extremism. Truly Big Society in Action!

The Role of Righteous Muslims

Faith Matters — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 19:11:34 +0000

THE ROLE OF RIGHTEOUS MUSLIMS: HEROES SAVING LIVES IN THE HOLOCAUST

This booklet, (the Role of Righteous Muslims), is aimed at broadening knowledge and awareness of the roles that some Muslims took during the Holocaust and whose stories show the moral and physical courage of these individuals who believed in doing what was right.

Today, unfortunately, xenophobia and fear ‘of the other’ still continue to plague societies and the United Kingdom is not immune to these issues. The caricaturing of communities continues in some quarters and the lessons of history are not learnt. Yet, history should teach us and guide us so that we preserve the stories of our common humanity and social links which should not be forgotten. Furthermore, these stories should not be physically or mentally shelved as though they have no significance in the modern world. If anything, they have a greater significance today then they would have had 10, 20 or 30 years ago.

The Righteous Muslims booklet shows us that there are many stories of positive Muslim and Jewish interaction, even at the darkest moments in history. It shows a common bond and a link between people of two faiths who believe in the compassion of God and in the sanctity of life. Whilst the politics of the Middle East may block such stories out of the public narrative, there is a duty on us all to ensure that they get their rightful place in our social and educational narratives.

Other possible reading materials on the subject of the Righteous can be found at:
https://www.agnesgrunwaldspier.com/
https://www.mohammedamin.com/Reviews/The-other-Schindlers.html

Developing Diversity Directory

Faith Matters — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 11:57:49 +0000

The Developing Diversity Directory has been developed by Faith Matters over the last year and through contact and consultation with over 480 mosques in England. Faith Matters undertook focus groups with Muslim women in England around 5 key areas they wanted to see within mosques in terms of core service delivery and each of the mosques was then benchmarked against the 5 areas. The top 100 which met 4 or 5 of the key criteria have been published in this directory and reflect service provision as of February 2010.

We hope that this directory serves Muslim women in giving them a snapshot of mosques that provide good services to them and in assisting other mosques in giving them contact points and mosque institutions that they can work with to ensure that best practice is implemented within their respective institutions.

Further information on the directory can be obtained from the Director of Faith Matters, Fiyaz Mughal OBE on fiyaz@faith-matters.co.uk

Adab Research Report

Faith Matters — Thu, 06 May 2010 08:13:03 +0000

A PERSPECTIVE OF SIKH & MUSLIM RELATIONS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM & CAUSES OF TENSIONS & MISTRUST BETWEEN THE TWO COMMUNITIES

Click to view report

The Adab (Respect) research report builds on the work that Faith Matters undertook in Corrymeela in 2008 where a group of Sikhs and Muslims took part in facilitated discussions sessions looking at issues affecting both communities in England. That report (the Cohesive Communities report) is listed on this site.

This report builds on and raises some of the narratives that are leading to tensions in localized areas between Sikhs and Muslims. It also describes the deep cultural, religious and historical links that have bound together Punjabi speaking Muslims and Sikhs for generations whilst today there are some young people from both communities who have a ‘collective amnesia’ towards this rich shared heritage. Without this understanding, communal tensions can took root and some of these tensions are being manipulated by the British National Party. For the British National Party their decisive intervention is based on the age old premise of ‘my enemy’s enemy is my friend.’

This report is the first detailed study of its kind into this area and we hope that you find the resource useful.

Press Releases:

Party accused of exploiting Sikh-Muslim tensions – Asian Image (https://www.asianimage.co.uk)
BNP ‘exploited religious tensions’ – Google News