Kent Equality Cohesion Council

Tag: National Inter Faith Week

  • Faith Leaders Come Together at Rochester Cathedral to Celebrate Unity and Collaboration

    Faith Leaders Come Together at Rochester Cathedral to Celebrate Unity and Collaboration

    Faith Leaders Come Together at Rochester Cathedral to Celebrate Unity and Collaboration

    Over 30 faith organisations and community organisations from across Kent and Medway gathered at Rochester Cathedral on Wednesday 12 November for a special Inter Faith event hosted by HM Lord-Lieutenant of Kent, Lady Colgrain, in partnership with the Kent Equality Cohesion Council.

    The event brought together leaders and members from a wide range of faiths alongside cadets from Kent Police and the Armed Forces, highlighting the spirit of unity, respect, and mutual understanding that exists across the county.

    The aim of the gathering was to celebrate the positive contributions faith groups make to their local communities and to create opportunities for networking and collaboration between organisations. Attendees shared experiences, built new connections, and explored how they could continue to work together to support community cohesion and wellbeing across Kent and Medway.

    Speaking after the event, Gurvinder Sandher MBE DL, CEO of Kent Equality Cohesion Council, said:

    “Events like this are vital in bringing people of all faiths and backgrounds together. They remind us of the shared values that unite our communities – compassion, service, and respect. By creating spaces for dialogue and collaboration, we can continue to strengthen understanding and cohesion across Kent and Medway.”

    HM Lord-Lieutenant Lady Colgrain praised the work of local faith leaders and volunteers, recognising their ongoing role in supporting communities through challenging times and fostering a sense of togetherness.

    The event formed part of Inter Faith Week, a national initiative that promotes understanding and cooperation among the UK’s diverse faith communities.

  • National Interfaith Week 2020

    National Interfaith Week 2020

    National Interfaith Week 2020

    As part of National Inter Faith Week, in the midst of a pandemic, Kent Equality Cohesion Council worked with local community and faith organisations on this special image. Faiths represented in the image include the Christian, Jewish, Islamic, Hindu and Sikh.

    Gurvinder Sandher CEO of Kent Equality Cohesion Council commented, “Each year we work hard to arrange events for National Inter Faith Week working with local community and faith partners. Unfortunately due to the national lockdown this has not been possible this year. Nonetheless I wanted to mark the week somehow and the result was this image with everyone holding up a sign sharing one of the values of Inter Faith Week. I am grateful to all partners who supported us with this”

  • Inter Faith Weeks brings faith groups together

    Inter Faith Weeks brings faith groups together

    Kent Equality Cohesion Council and Kent County Council worked in partnership to bring faith groups and partners together to mark National Inter Faith Week. 20 representatives from partner agencies including Kent Police, Kent Fire and Rescue Service, Victim Support, NHS and the Heart of Kent Hospice attended both the Gravesham Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara and the Gravesend Hindu Mandir (Temple) to learn more about the Sikh and Hindu faiths and practices. This was part of the Diverse Open Doors week where places of worship around Kent opened their doors to visitors from different faiths.

    This was followed by an Inter Faith event hosted at County Hall in Maidstone which was attended by around 60 people. The event was addressed by Gurvinder Sandher from Kent Equality Cohesion Council, Cllr Michael Hill from Kent County Council and Jatinder Birdi the Co-Chair of the Inter Faith Network for the UK. Their then followed a round table exercise where representatives from the Christian, Sikh, Hindu, Muslim, Baha’i and Jewish faiths talked about the tenets of their religion and delegates went from table to table to learn more and ask questions.

    Gurvinder Sandher, the CEO of Kent Equality Cohesion Council commented “I am delighted that we were able to work with Kent County Council to arrange some events for National Inter Faith Week. It is important that events like this are marked and are used as an opportunity to bring different faith and community groups together to celebrate our shared values. The feedback has been very positive and gives us something to build upon for next year.”