The first interfaith week held in England, to strengthen relations and awareness, has been hailed a success and the Hindu community played an important part.
The government - which is supporting the event - said it hoped religious communities could help tackle problems such as the environment and parenting. Communities Secretary John Denham said the co-operation of faith groups played an important role in reducing tensions amid provocation by extremist groups.
According to the 2001 Census, Britain has more than 41m Christians, about 1.5m Muslims, 558,000 Hindus, 336,000 Sikhs, 267,000 Jews and 149,000 Buddhists.
A wide range of activities brought people together from the main religions, events during the week included football matches that could pitch vicars against imams.
As a part of Interfaith week these are the National, Regional and Local functions that HFB were involved in the following activities:
- Mitzvah day with the Jewish Community
- Launch of Interfaith and contributed to the Display on Hinduism
- Launch of Interfaith Dharmic Faiths Stand
- Launch of Interfaith Hindu Christian Forum stand
- Conference organised by the Jain Community on the 7th of November
- Church of England Interfaith event and signing of statement
- Debate organised by the British Humanists
- Conference organised by the Zoroastrian community
- Swami Narayan - visit form Catholic Bishop
- A conference for Hindu and Jewish women organised with the Board of Deputies of the Jews
- Interfaith reception hosted by the Mayor of London
- Shree Sanatan Seva Samaj Luton launched its Fair Trade Initiative
There were also many other local events attended by represented of the HFB.
A picture is on http://www.interfaithweek.org/lambeth16112009.pdf.