About

Interfaith Matters promotes inter-religious dialogue, social action and community cohesion. The charity seeds and supports neighbourhood based, clergy and community leader level interfaith forums. At this time, Interfaith Matters is focusing on community level collaborative responses to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.  “Interfaith Matters’ model of respectful dialogue can be applied to wider society that often struggles with diversity and division. As a Muslim I am especially pleased to support this initiative.” Sheikh Dr Salah al-Ansari

19 05 01 Buddhist Fo Guang Shan London Temple A

The picture shows forum members at their meeting held at the Buddhist Fo Guang Shan London Temple. The meeting guests were Bhakti Rasayana Sagar Swami of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness with whom knife crime was discussed, Emily Norman (Chair, Westminster Standing Advisory Committee for Religious Education (SACRE) with whom religious education was considered and PC Brian Hodgson (Metropolitan Police in Westminster) who spoke about working with faith communities to counter all forms of hate crime.

The Westminster forum includes Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist and Bahá’í faith representatives. “The opportunity to learn how religious staff from other faith communities support people who are at high risk from COVID-19 is invaluable. Now more than ever, it is imperative that we work together.” Revd Graham M Buckle. “I would like to thank you personally for the initiative you have shown.” Revd Andrew Tremlett when he served at Westminster Abbey and who is now Dean of Durham Cathedral.

2 Jewish Christian Forum of Stamford Hill meeting with Diane Abbott 8 July 2019 Credit Steven Derby Interfaith Matters

The picture shows forum members at their meeting when they invited Council officers from Hackney and Haringey to discuss local planning and regeneration. The meeting was also very pleased to welcome Diane Abbott who is Member of Parliament for Hackney North and Stoke Newington although at that time she was also Shadow Home Secretary.

The Jewish-Christian Forum of Stamford Hill includes Belz, Lubavitch and Satmar Jews with Christians from the Catholic, Anglican and Georgian Orthodox parishes. “The COVID-19 pandemic involves, and requires, all communities work together. That’s what this project does, I am pleased to be part of it.” Rabbi Joseph Shlomo Stauber. “The Forum has greatly contributed to community cohesion.” Rabbi Abraham Pinter (who sadly died of COVID-19 during the pandemic of 2020).

19 07 04 Interfaith Matters Camden Forum meeting at South Hampstead United Synagogue with Keir Starmer, MP 4 July 2019

The picture shows forum members at their meeting when they invited Sir Keir Starmer MP who is Member of Parliament for Holborn and St Pancras, and Leader of the Labour Party.

The forum in Camden is Abrahamic. Members include orthodox and progressive Jews, Catholic and Anglican Christians, Sunni and Shia Mulims. “As a faith leader, the COVID-19 demands and challenges I face are unprecedented. The need to learn from, and collaborate with, other religions’ faith leaders is vital, especially in relation to additional burials and support for the bereaved.” Imam Mehmed Stublla.

The forum in Barnet includes Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Sikh and Buddhist faith representatives.

19 10 29 Barnet Forum at Hampstead Garden Suburb Synagogue

The picture shows their meeting at a synagogue when members welcomed the Community Security Trust to make a presentation on faith centre security. The presentation followed a series of terrorist attacks in America, Sri Lanka and New Zealand.