Coventry Branch held an Iftar Dinner under the Theme of “Building Community Trust”

Deepak Naik

Chair of the United Religion Initiative (UK) Board; Director, Together in Action

Deepak has over 40 years of experience in the community and voluntary sectors. He is Chair of the United Religion Initiative (UK) Board and runs Together in Action, a charity which builds on the achievements of the Coventry-based Minorities of Europe, over its 15 years of existence.

Pauline Black OBE DL

Deputy Lieutenant, West Midlands Lieutenancy

Performer, singer, actress, author, bandleader and songwriter, Pauline has dedicated four decades to the music scene. Supporting and campaigning for racial equality throughout her work, she describes herself as first and foremost, a singer.

Last Monday, we were delighted to host our very first Iftar programme in Coventry as the Dialogue Society. This special evening marked the beginning of our journey in the city, centred around this year’s theme: “Building Community Trust.”

We were honoured to welcome guests from a wide range of backgrounds, bringing together members of the local community in a warm and inclusive atmosphere. Throughout the evening, our speakers reflected on the importance of trust in building strong, connected, and resilient communities, highlighting how dialogue and mutual understanding play a key role in this process.

The Iftar provided a meaningful space for conversation, reflection, and connection. As people gathered around the table to break their fast, new friendships were formed and existing bonds were strengthened.

This first event in Coventry was not only a memorable gathering, but also an encouraging step towards fostering greater understanding and trust within our diverse community.

We look forward to continuing this journey and creating more opportunities for dialogue, connection, and community engagement in the future.