Interfaith - Festivals Events & Celebrations
Inter Faith Week:
Wednesday 11th - Wednesday 18th November
Who Organised This?
Islam Awareness Week
Program For Inter Faith Week
What Can I do during Inter Faith Week?
1) Topical discussions
2) Religious Open Day
3) Food, Friendship and Faith
4) Sports events
5) Economy Event
6) Health Event
7) Hate Crime Event
Who Organised This?
2009 will see the first national “Inter-Faith week” in
The official website for Inter Faith Week is www.interfaithweek.org where the page on Inter Faith Week Ideas is particularly useful.
Islam Awareness Week
Inter Faith Week has been planned to coincide with Islam Awareness Week with a complementary theme of “living in our multi-faith society”. We recognise the importance of the long standing Islam Awareness Week in Waltham Forest and although there are several positive opportunities of this combined focus week we want to make sure Islam Awareness Week is not over shadowed and that activities planed for each event are complementary where ever possible.
Nationally the two weeks both start and finish at the same time but in Waltham Forest we are staggering the two weeks so their will still be some overlap but there will also be some days which are solely for Islam Awarness Week - this is to aknowledge the important role of Islam within Waltham Forest and to ensure that the joint celebration does not overshadow the important Isam Awarness Week.
This is the current program for events during Inter Faith and Islam Awareness Week. More dates will be added as they are confirmed. Please see below for more details on planned activities.
| Date and Time | Event | Venue | Co-ordinating |
| Wed 11th | Multifaith Armistice Day | ||
| Thr 12th 13.00-13.45 | Meditation in the Workplace | TBC (Your Place of Work?) | Faith Communities Forum |
| Fri 13th | |||
| Sat 14th | |||
| Sun 15th (Time TBC) | Inter Faith Football Tournament | TBC | WF Police |
| Mon 16th | Start of National Inter Faith Week | ||
| Mon 16th 18.30-20.30 | Faith Communities Forum AGM | WF
|
Faith Communities Forum |
| Tue 17th 14.00-21.00 | Religious Open Day | Borough Wide | Faith Communities Forum |
| Tue 17th 12.15-13.00 | Meditation in the Workplace | TBC (Your Place of Work?) | Faith Communities Forum |
| Tue 17th 18.00-21.00 | Meditation and Prayer. Buddhist meditation techniques – a chance to ask questions and experience first hand | TBC | Faith Communities Forum |
| Wed 18th 18.00-21.00 | Food Friendship and Faith | TBC | Womens Interfaith Network |
| Thu 19th | |||
| Fri 20th | |||
| Sat 21st |
End of National Inter Faith Week |
What Can I do during Inter Faith Week?
In
1) Topical Discussions
(designed to encourage and increase inter-faith dialogue whilst also being inclusive of non-believers). Some examples of discussions could include:
- Is there a God? – Arguments for and against the existence of God including personal stories.
- Who is God and what is he (or she) like? – Different religions give their interpretations.
- Different Religions - polar opposites or the same thing in different packaging? – What are the similarities and differences between the main faiths? How can inter-faith dialogue and work bridge the gaps?
- “What does God and religion have to do with my life?” – Only 10% of people regularly attend a place of worship, is religions relevant to today’s society?
- “In the name of God” - a look at the positive and negative effects of religion in society
If you would like to host or chair one of these discussions or be on the speaking panel then please speak to Amy
2) Religious Open Day
On Saturday 21st November between 2pm and 9pm we want as many places of worship as possible to open their doors and invite people outside of their congregations to come in.
- Give a tour of your building
- Offer refreshments and answer peoples questions
- Explain any symbols or practices your faith uses
- Give out information about how your building is used by the community
- Encourage your congregation to visit other faith buildings in groups or individually and ask questions
3) Food, Friendship and Faith
Food is significant in all the large world religions. During Inter Faith week why not invite someone of another religion or belief to “dine at mine”. This is a great opportunity to learn more about each other and strengthen or make friendships. This could be
- A personal invitation to your neighbour or work colleague
- An open initiation for one religious organisation to join another for a meal at their place of worship or for a (cold November) picnic.
- A twinned scheme between two religious organisations where people are put into groups of similar ages or interests and asked to visit their favourite restaurant together.
4) Sports events
An Inter Faith Cricket event took place in May, for Inter Faith week we want to focus on Football. On Sunday 15th November we want to hold tournaments for different ages and genders. There could be two single sex tournaments or an open tournament – please let Amy know which you would prefer.
- Age 8 -13
- Age 14 -19
- 20+
- Religious Leaders 5 a side team
Can your organisation provide a team? Can you link up with other faith groups to have a “Council of Mosque team”, “Ecumenical Churches team” or even “Walthamstow Interfaith team”? Are you a religious leader who would like to take part in the religious leader team (leader can be loosely defined). Please let Amy know if you will be entering a team. There will be trophies.
Do you have the facilities or the passion to organise another type of sporting event?
5) Economy Event
Tony Peacham from Christians Against Poverty (supported by St Mary’s church Walthamstow) is running a taster session for The Money Course. This will be a stand alone advice session and also an introduction to signpost people to their services. This is particularly relevant during the current economic downturn where many people are strugling with debt and unemployment.
6) Health Event
Waltham Forest Solutions (Mental Health Service based in Leytonstone) would like to run a session for faith leaders looking at mental health. This will include a focus on cultural and religious taboos aroung mental health, information on sources of help and modern treatment and support programes.
7) Hate Crime Event
Dianne Andrews, the Waltham Forest Hate Crime Reduction Coordinator will be working in partnership with the Faith Communities Forum to run an event to raise awareness of Religious Hate Crime including how to identify, report and prevent it.
Other Ideas
If there are any other ideas which excite you please let us know and we will add your events into the program. For more information please contact Amy at Amy.Willshire@walthamforest.gov.uk
Press Release
The press release for Inter Faith Week says:‘Inter Faith Week’ will run from 15 to 21 November with a launch the preceding week. Its aims are:
-
to strengthen good inter faith relations at all levels;
-
to increase awareness of the different and distinct faith communities in the UK, in particular celebrating and building on the contribution which their members make to their neighbourhoods and to wider society; and
-
to increase understanding between people of religious and non-religious belief.
The Week is being facilitated by the Inter Faith Network for the UK and the Department for Communities and Local Government but will be community-led, with local people and groups of different backgrounds holding their own events and to highlight work going on to promote understanding between people of different faiths and beliefs… The UN International Day of Tolerance (16 November) falls during the Week. The Week overlaps with the longstanding and widely marked Islam Awareness Week and the two weeks will be complementary in theme. The full press release can be read at www.interfaithweek.org/ifweeknrel.pdf