Interfaith Week, The national event promoting of multiculturalism and diversity in Britain, was welcomed in the London Borough of Barnet last week by the Barnet Multi Faith Forum (BMFF).

Two special events highlighted the diverse range of faith-based organisations in the Borough. A fair at Middlesex University during the day brought together over 25 different faith-based bodies, including Churches Together, Soka Gakkai International (SGI) and the Jewish Volunteering Network (JVN), to showcase their work and the impact of faith-based social action in the community. Other organisations including, Homeless Action Barnet Inclusion Barnet Health watch and Middlesex Fairtrade and were joined by the university’s Jewish and Islamic Societies.

In the evening, members of these organisations, other faith institutions and places of worship gathered in the Council Chamber at Barnet Town Hall to hear from a variety of presenters including Rene Cassin updating us on the iniquity of Human trafficking and Slavery, Trinity Church providing an emotional report on poverty and debt related issues in the borough and the Ismail Community showcasing their work with many other faiths in supporting food banks refugees and the homeless.   The evening began with a moment’s silence to commemorate those who sacrificed their lives for their country during the two World Wars, along with all those brutally murdered whist at Sabbath prayers in Pittsburgh, those suffering from genocide in Myanmar and Syria, famine in Yemen persecution in Egypt and the shocking imprisonment and discrimination of Asia Bibi in Pakistan.

Trevor Alexander, Es Rosen and Deputy Mayor Cllr Caroline Stock

The event was coordinated by Co-Chairs of the BMFF, Esmond Rosen and Trevor Alexander. Alexander, recent winner of the Bridging Trust Award for Interfaith Volunteering at the JVN Heartbeat of the Community Awards,

Trevor said: “Interfaith Week is the perfect opportunity to introduce faith-based social action to new audiences, sign up new volunteers and motivate new supporters. It is a highlight of our year and we look forward to seeing what additional opportunities 2019 will bring for interfaith collaboration and partnerships. I’d like to thank all the organisations and individuals who turned out today to celebrate interfaith social action in Barnet and contributed to our interesting and informative evening event.”

For more information on the work of the BMFF email info@barnetmultifaithforum.org.

Celebrating Inter Faith Week 2018 – Tuesday 13 November 2018

As you are aware, we are participating in an Interfaith Fair at Middlesex University on Tuesday 13^th November, from 10am to 3pm.  We are looking for volunteers to be on the BMFF stall during the day, and would therefore be grateful if you could let us know if you would be able to do a 2-hour slot at any of the following times:  

9.30-11.30, 11.30- 1.30, 1.30 – 3.30.

Depending on the response, we will distribute a rota at the meeting on 7^th November…..or urgently seek additional volunteers!

Thanks to those who have already expressed a willingness to help, and thanks in advance for those of you are about to do so.

Please email info@barnetmultifaithforum.org indicating a time slot when you are able to help.

Thank you

Barnet Multi Faith Forum celebrated Silver Sunday with over 300 guests and community organisations and various dignitaries.

The celebration got underway with an address from Mayor of Barnet, followed by the Director of Social Services followed by Bollywood Dancing, Tai Chi and exercise to music followed by light refreshments.  

Silver Sunday is an annual day of fun and free activities for older people across the UK. Led by The Sir Simon Milton Foundation, it celebrates the value and knowledge they contribute to our communities while combating loneliness and isolation. Everyone can get involved, whether that’s organising an event, spreading the word, or simply attending an activity.  

Silver Sunday is celebrated together with the International Day of Older Persons.

This year Barnet’s Silver Week saw more than 44 local organisations and partners host over 80 activities and events throughout the borough which included:

•  26 sport and leisure activities including opportunities to dance together
• 10 opportunities for pampering, beauty therapies and the opportunity to look after yourself and have some time to relax
• 16 information talks covering a range of topics including, health and wellbeing, employment, benefits, and fraud
• 11 Afternoon teas/coffee mornings – a chance to socialise and meet new people
• 4 opportunities to see the Exhibition of Art by local residents of supported housing / residential care at venues across the Borough

As part of Silver Week, Greater London Leisure were offering taster sessions in different types of exercises and we are pleased to say that one Faith Group accepted the offer and are now going to have regular weekly sessions at their place of worship.

The BMFF stall attracted a lot of attention from the participants; some were very keen to volunteer whereas others were interested in taking part in any activities hosted or supported by BMFF.

Councillors were also very keen to support BMFF work and we have some of them in our photographs – Councillor Sara Conway, Councillor Sachin Rajput and Councillor Anne Clarke. As part of joint working, we made contact with the Firemen (who had a stall near BMFF); they are very happy to promote safety in Faith Groups.

Asmina
October 2018

8-15 October was National Hate Crime Awareness Week and on Monday 10 October, Barnet Council used this platform to launch its own Hate Crime Reporting Centres at an event at Stonegrove Community Centre.  The council are working with partner Barnet Mencap, who organised the event. Staff from Barnet Homes and Your Choice Barnet made sure our organisations were also represented on the day.

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