GlobalNet21: Recreating Our Futures

Inter Faith Dialogue & Multi Culturalism

May 7, 2013 · 6:30 PM
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Don Foster the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the Department for Communities and Local Government has agreed to host a meeting on Inter Faith Dialogue in a Multicultural Society.

We are told we live in a Secular age and in many ways we do. Yet in the 21st century we have seen a revival in faith based movements and an interest in spirituality. We have also seen an expansion in diversity and this has led to questions about social cohesion and the importance of dialogue How do we understand what is happening in 21st Century society and how can we all live together respecting each other's convictions.

This is not about a debate over whether religion is right or wrong but given that there are such diverse faiths and communities within society, then how can we accommodate each other and live together in tolerance. How do we respect our differences and what is the framework needed for that respect to always be mutual.

The Rt Hon Don Foster MP was appointed as a Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the Department for Communities and Local Government in September 2012. Don was a science teacher for many years, before becoming a science project director with the Avon Education Authority. He later became a lecturer in education at Bath University. During the 1980s he served as a councillor on Avon County Council and was Chair of the Education Committee. Don Foster was elected as MP for the Bath constituency in the April 1992 General Election when he defeated Chris Patten with a majority of 3,768.

David Goodhart is the director of Demos. He is the founder and former editor of Prospect magazine, which he set up in 1995. David has grown Prospect into Britain's leading current affairs monthly and he remains the magazine's editor-at-large.David is a prominent figure in public debate in the UK. He is a well-known broadcaster, author, commentator and journalist who regularly contributes to the Guardian, the Independent, the Times and the Financial Times. Before Prospect, David was a correspondent for the Financial Times for 12 years - including a stint in Germany during the unification period. David is currently working on a book, The British Dream, about postwar multiculturalism, national identity and immigration.

Fiyaz Mughal OBE FCMI is on the Board of Directors of Faith Matters. His working history includes over 15 years experience in the community and voluntary sector in positions that have included social policy lobbying, project and general management, conflict resolution work and leading organizations as the Chief Operating Officer. Fiyaz was previously a Councillor in Haringey [masked]) and a Councillor in Oxford [masked]). A previous Deputy President of a mainstream political party in the UK, he has also campaigned heavily on Black and Minority Ethnic (group) inclusion within political parties and discourses. He was also appointed to be on the Working Group for Communities that was linked to the Extremism Task Force developed in 2005 after the 7/7 bombings. In early 2008, Fiyaz was successful in becoming an elected member IDeA Peer Mentor for national work with local authorities on the Preventing Violent Extremism agenda. Fiyaz was honoured in June 2009 by Her Majesty the Queen and was bestowed with the Honour of the Order of the British Empire.

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Andria

It's never really a "religious war" anyways...it is almost invariably about protecting land, territories, ones power bases and/or homes. The tragedy of Palestine and Israel immediately comes to mind.
Mmh, maybe this meeting will avoid such difficult issues but in the end, people are living with the outcomes of these "religious wars" and the suffering is huge. Please watch a film (free on line) called "Rise Like Lions" which depicts a young woman standing in front of armed soldiers in Gaza and begging them not to shoot into a crowd as there are children there... They do in fact stop for those moments but her courage and their bemusement is quite a sight to watch
At one point, one of the men/soldiers does fire into the crowd but completely haphazardly so now one is killed:-)

Does any one here know how that huge bloody wall came about there?

0 · April 18, 2013
- View all 8 replies
- A former member
  
  http://www.youtube.co...
  
  0 · April 26, 2013
- Andria
  
  There was a fab Rabbi (I wish I could recall his name) who commented about a drug question from an open forum of Christians, Palestinian Jews and Muslims and all the conference attendees from eight different countries..
  
  0 · May 8, 2013
- A former member
  
  http://www.youtube.co...
  
  0 · May 8, 2013
- A former member
  
  You wrote "its killers can stand trial" which doesn't mean that they do so I'm amazed that you disregard a key witness in the war, Hamas's own son, while looking at Israel. Too, Arabs like sexual separation at prayer, but nobody says much.
  
  1 · May 8, 2013
- Andria
  
  I really do not understand why we need to be separated at prayer time Stella in any culture or society: thanks for that reminder, which I was only recently reminded of in a beautiful Beirut Mosque
  
  0 · May 9, 2013
- Andria
  
  Hardly disregarding him by pointing out how emotional he obviously is (would inevitably be) having observed a lot of violence. I don't know you Stella and I certainly don't want to get into conflict with a woman I may meet in a future meetup. I am also not an expert on that region of the world but merely one who has been encouraged to think FOR one side more than another.... I hope I haven't offended you. There was an amazing meet up earlier in the year between two "victims" of the war in Northern Ireland. Francis S will remember their names....it was to do with forgiveness and conflict resolution. Palestine /Israel need similar pairs of people : her father had been killed by the guy and they decided to meet and talk about what happened there. They then decided to go round the world and talk about said issues wherever asked...They are not paid to do that. They just know it is an essentially necessary thing to do
  
  0 · May 9, 2013
- A former member
  
  sorry, but you haven't quite put yourself in my shoes, and i'm not sure why you're ok with making a one-sided film, it goes beyond offence, it puts people's lives at risk in an on-going war, and it justifies hate speech
  
  0 · May 9, 2013
- Andria
  
  Me film-maker? I wish. U got the wrong gal huni
  
  0 · May 9, 2013
P.Selvaratnam

Dalai Lama Criticises Buddhists Including Monks For Violence Against Muslims in Sri Lanka and Burma, 8 May 2013, http://dbsjeyaraj.com/dbsj/archives/21073

0 · May 9, 2013
Sharon

Not enough time to explore the multifacet and multi dimensional issues relating to defining multi culturalism.

1 · May 8, 2013
Mark B.

Hi again :)

Sarah and I, plus others there last night have decided to organise a Summer globalnet21 picnic Something we can easily do to have a nice social + family-friendly time, welcoming and warm for all faiths and none and where we can share food, culture and maybe also discussion about the way forward. Probably early August in Regents Park Sound like a plan !?

Please join our group at http://globalnet21.org/groups/faith-in-the-community/ Also we will have another North London study group meeting on June 12 - all welcome http://www.meetup.com/GlobalNet21/events/116719852/

cheers !

0 · May 8, 2013
Piercarla

Sorry I have another comment to make :) I agree with Christina that real Inter Faith Dialogue has very little to do with food or sport, so my suggestion is: why don't we ask the representants of each religion/spirituality/et all, what it means to them?

0 · May 8, 2013
Piercarla

I believe Inter Faith Dialogue & Multi Culturalism will be truly achieved when we individually begin to honor one another and honoring passes through sacredness, and sacredness first of all towards ourselves.

0 · May 8, 2013
Christina M.

An interesting and enjoyable evening of debate, where far more questions than answers were raised. The real issues of the evening - faith, as in the divine transcendent aspect of faith and its celebration; the enriching and strengthening of relationships and community through religious diversity and a true appreciation of multi culture was strictly off menu this evening. The New Faith in this hallowed and sceptred isle, since the success of the British Olympics it seems, rests in the power of curry and sport! Hmm...mercifully, there is hope, as a real appreciation of the urgency of transformation on a global level rises and brings back the sacred into the divine, both on an individual, an interpersonal and a collective level.

2 · May 8, 2013
- View all 4 replies
- A former member
  
  It is only through meaningful dialogue that higher levels of trust can be accomplished. We need to have enough common cultural background in spite of having different faith/non faith backgrounds to work together. Not only is society divided through faith/non faith beliefs but also through class, cultural upbringing and socio-economic factors. To bring consensus we will need to work across the issues that divides society. Working exclusively from a faith/non faith background without taking into consideration the other factors mentioned above will only bring limited success and progress to harmony and societal wellbeing.
  
  1 · May 8, 2013
- Andria
  
  Christina, good luck with bringing the sacred back into the divine while the corporations and banks rule the earth. My feeling is that if we want to make ANYTHING more meaningful before we die, we work on ending the take over of Mammon. Salam indeed..
  
  0 · May 8, 2013
- Christina M.
  
  Whilst not wishing to belittle dialogue, for communication on interfaith to be meaningful, faith has to be the main ingredient. Otherwise we are talking jam sandwich, without jam; spirituality without spirit. Faith is the building block upon which trust grows and not the other way round. Let's focus more on our Greatness and less on our 'Britishness'. Battles are won and lost in our hearts, not on the battlefields.
  
  0 · May 8, 2013
- Piercarla
  
  This book might be of interest: 'Living Deeply: The Art and Science of Transformation in Everyday Life' by Marilyn Schlitz, http://www.amazon.com..., from the Institute of Noetic Sciences, http://noetic.org/
  
  0 · May 8, 2013
A former member

• The 2 questions that I asked this evening which I would like to put forward to the online forum are-
1.) For many years (the past 30yrs +) we have encouraged diversity through segregation. Why is it only recently that we are promoting diversity through integration?
• 2.) What are your views on the need to engage in more work on interfaith & community understanding and relations rather than interfaith dialogue on theological issues that prove to be less constructive?

0 · May 7, 2013
- View all 4 replies
- Andria
  
  ONE of the answers to this maybe the tragedy of 9/11. A statement of utter rage was made that day (if it was indeed Bin Laden and other Muslims who committed that act in the 1st place..) Some wise people of faith (or not ) have since made an effort to work more closely with Muslim communities that are welcoming, not extremist i
  
  0 · May 8, 2013
- A former member
  
  I understand what you are saying and I believe that people from all faith/non faith backgrounds should engage in meaningful dialogue and understanding. The greater the disparity of cultural backgrounds the greater is the need for dialogue but we should have an equal voice from those faith/non faith groups and individuals who have not yet fully entered into the dialogue process either as mediators or as those seeking to understand differences in order to improve relations between people from different backgrounds.
  
  1 · May 8, 2013
- Andria
  
  Dear Neil, PLEASE re-frame question two with different words. I am having a terrible time trying to understand the question & please 'scuse my stupidity
  
  0 · May 8, 2013
- A former member
  
  2.) What are your views on whether we need to engage in more work on interfaith & community relations through shared common goals or in interfaith dialogue based on theological issues?
  
  0 · May 8, 2013
will w.

Tolerance and understanding are at the heart of our civilisation, so these discussions go to enlarge our view of who we are as a community and how to mitigate the pressures from the changes we see going on around us.
Hope to come next time, have a good meeting, Will

0 · May 7, 2013
- Andria
  
  Tolerance should be the heart of our civilisation. Certainly dialogue between disparate and diverse groups can encourage that
  
  0 · May 8, 2013
Andria

Yes thanks for the invite and if religion is to be taken seriously AT ALL, I suggest that religious leaders do everything they can to stop their congregations from using the name of Jehovah, Allah and/or Jesus to kill others.

0 · April 18, 2013
- A former member
  
  It is unfortunate that humankind has distorted the great spiritual leaders' common theme and message to humanity and it was never about hurting each other or about controlling each other in either their names or in the name of something higher.
  
  1 · May 8, 2013
- Andria
  
  It was never about hurting each other, but we live in a political. economic world Neil, and these are the kinds of forces humanity is largely engaged with... I am not the only cynical child of God, speak to the growing number of youth today...they are more interested in looking good (not such a bad thing), taking drugs and selling them...poverty will do that for you and on a good day, looking for something ("criminal" ) or not to pass the time. Granted, I have spent eons working with chemically addicted populations, but frankly, at least their lives are more honest... They know what they want/need and they just go get it by any means necessary...in some cases/.
  
  0 · May 8, 2013
Piercarla

I would like to mention something that has maybe been overlooked and that is: what is it that creates problems between people - inter faith, multiculturally, anywhere? Dialogue is certainly essential, but I think there is something else that needs attention and that is linked with ego patterns, communication and personal growth.

2 · May 8, 2013
Mark B.

salaams and thank you to everyone who participated in last night's excellent meet up. for those interested to help develop the action / study group i mentioned, please go to http://globalnet21.org/groups/faith-in-the-community/ where we are developing an on-line platform or alternatively email me direct to find out more about what we are doing, or to engage with any of the issues raised. warm regards !

1 · May 8, 2013
Sabina

Hi, is there a try before you buy on this? I'd like to try one event before I subscribe.

0 · May 7, 2013
- Mouktar
  
  Hi Sabina,
  It's Mouktar (from Crowded Spanish Market on Monday :)) if you see an event/discussion you would like to come to, let me know and you can attend as a guest - you can attend more than one if you like to see the nature of the discussions before making up your mind.
  
  1 · May 7, 2013
A former member

• And lastly, my response to this evening's talk includes a response towards how to engage in constructive dialogue-I personally believe that we should construct achievable aims for the dialogue to have any value or a constructive result. We will also need to encourage dialogue through doing which was implied many times throughout the talk.
And secondly, I believe that dialogue is still very important towards the ideals of integration and I disagree with an aspect of one of the panelist's viewpoints. It is not that dialogue need be secondary in achieving positive outcomes but it is more to do with how dialogue is approached that is more important. We need more Inclusive & Consistent Understanding as opposed to Absolutist Understanding. If we don't need to respect or understand another's faith or non faith background there'll inevitably come the point of a TRUST issue coming into play. The breakdown of trust at one point or the other is the root cause of politics, power and control.

1 · May 7, 2013
Cherry

Sorry can't make meeting now.

0 · May 7, 2013
Mike V.

With apologies.

0 · May 7, 2013
Rajen

I am really sorry but have to tender apologies for this meeting:(

0 · May 7, 2013
Ulla B.

Apologies, as I will not be able to make it this evening. However, I am a believer in human rights and a secular society framework - with room for personal and private faith, spiritual and cultural freedoms.

1 · May 7, 2013
Linda F.

Hi - Sorry due to family commitments I can't now make the meeting. However I am sure it will be a great success and I look forward to hearing about it. Best wishes - Linda

0 · May 7, 2013
Tony G.

I am really disappointed to have to change to Not Attending. I have both a private tuition session and another meeting I must attend. I do hope someone can use my place.

0 · May 3, 2013
A former member

sorry, but I'm unable to attend 'cause I've got the flu

0 · May 1, 2013
Mark B.

really looking forward to this meeting !

0 · April 26, 2013
Stephanie R.

Help! I want to register for this, but can't find where to do it

0 · April 25, 2013
terence f.

unfortunately running a meeting elsewhere

0 · April 10, 2013
Andria

Looking forward to this one. Do you know if any of the speakers care about drug policy reform? Please let me know
Cheers
Andria

0 · April 10, 2013

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