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Barnet Multi Faith Forum at St Albans Cathedral Interfaith Exhibition

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Barnet Multi Faith Forum (BMFF) was honoured to be invited by Revd Dr Alec Corio — Rector of East Barnet and Inter-Faith Advisor to the Diocese of St Albans — to participate in this year’s Interfaith Week Exhibition at St Albans Cathedral.

The Diocese of St Albans, comprising over 400 Church of England parishes (including 13 within the Barnet deanery), hosted this rich exchange of dialogue and community stories in the cathedral nave – the oldest site of continuous Christian worship in Britain.

The exhibition brought together representatives from diverse faith communities across the diocese — including Welwyn Hatfield, Watford, Bushey, Barnet, Luton, and St Albans — to share how their traditions inspire acts of service and community engagement.

BMFF’s stall showcased our ongoing work on sustainability, interfaith cooperation, and community cohesion in Barnet. This included stories of our covenant with the local council, partnerships with faith and academic institutions such as Middlesex University, and collaboration with Barnet Council on green transition work toward reaching net zero by 2042. We also highlighted projects with schools, charities, and community groups across the borough.

The event opened with a warm welcome and a set of engaging questions for attendees to reflect on their values and experiences.This was followed by an interactive exhibition where participants visited stalls to share their work and inspire one another. In a spirit of mutual learning and respect, BMFF received very positive feedback. Many participants expressed how BMFF model of interfaith cooperation and environmental stewardship could serve as a powerful example for other local faith communities and interfaith groups.

The evening concluded with short reflections from speakers representing different faith traditions, who shared how they contribute to local community action.

Deeply grateful to the Bishop of Bedford, Rt Revd Richard Atkinson; the Very Revd Jo Kelly-Moore, Dean of St Albans; cathedral staff; Ulrike Hunt (The Feast, Luton); David Jonathan (Grassroots); Revd Dr Alec Corio; Mark Oliver; and the wider Diocese of St Albans for facilitating this meaningful interfaith gathering. We look forward to building on this momentum through further collaboration.

Event Date: Monday, 17 November 2025

 

 

Barnet Multi Faith Forum & Dialogue Society Co-Produce Successful ‘Shelter of Peace’ Event

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The Barnet Multi Faith Forum (BMFF) and the Dialogue Society are delighted to have successfully co-produced this year’s highly impactful Sukkot Shalom gathering, hosted jointly with Finchley Reform Synagogue.

The event, which translates to "Shelter of Peace," was held during the Jewish festival of Sukkot, or the Feast of Booths/Tabernacles, a time which commemorates the temporary shelters used by the Israelites after the Exodus and emphasises themes of hospitality, fragility, and shared community.

The gathering welcomed over 50 guests from across Barnet’s diverse communities, who came together in a spirit of unity, friendship, and mutual understanding. This significant annual event provides a unique opportunity for attendees to connect, celebrate shared values, and strengthen bonds of trust and respect among all faiths and backgrounds.

“Sukkot Shalom is more than just a place; it's a powerful statement that our differences enrich us, they don't divide us. The success of this gathering is a testament to the fact that Barnet's multi-faith community is not just coexisting, but truly flourishing together.”
– Es Rosen, President, Barnet Multi Faith Forum

The warm atmosphere, thoughtful conversations, and shared sense of purpose demonstrated the continued commitment of all partners to building a more cohesive and harmonious Barnet. The collaborative nature of this event, specifically between the BMFF and the Dialogue Society, underscores the power of working together to achieve shared goals.

Sadik Cinar, Director of the Dialogue Society, commented,

“Sukkot Shalom truly embodies the spirit of shared humanity and dialogue. Seeing so many people from diverse backgrounds gather under one shelter of peace confirms the strength of Barnet's community and our collective commitment to mutual respect.”

The Forum also wishes to acknowledge the valued partnership and support of Middlesex University and the Sonia Community, whose collaboration was instrumental in making the event both meaningful and memorable.

The Barnet Multi Faith Forum and Dialogue Society look forward to continuing this vital spirit of collaboration in future events that promote understanding, dialogue, and peace.

Connecting Communities – BMFF feature in the video stories

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Barnet Council Connecting Communities Video Series

BMFF is proud to be featured alongside other community organisations in Barnet in the Connecting Communities video series. Barnet Borough is rich in the variety of different cultural communities and faiths, and together they help make Barnet a very special place to live and work.

Working collaboratively with Middlesex University, Barnet Council, and other partner organisations, the forum helps ensure that faith communities have a voice in relevant matters affecting them, celebrates cultural and religious diversity and the value they bring to Barnet, supports social action projects, and promotes volunteering and civic responsibility across the borough.