On 15 June, the Dialogue Society Birmingham joined the Church of England and faith leaders from across the city in a collaborative initiative promoting peace, mutual understanding, and stronger community relations. The event demonstrated the value of interfaith partnerships in addressing shared social challenges and fostering constructive dialogue among diverse communities. By bringing together representatives from different faith traditions, the initiative encouraged cooperation, strengthened relationships, and reinforced a collective commitment to social cohesion and inclusive civic engagement. The collaboration highlighted the important role of faith-based organisations in building trust, promoting mutual respect, and contributing to resilient and harmonious communities through shared values and collective action. They write:
“Birmingham has long been a city that welcomes and is enriched by people from different countries, cultures and faiths. This continues today.
“As leaders of faith communities across our city, we celebrate Birmingham’s diversity and reject any attempt to reverse it.
“Our communities are better, richer and stronger when we include and serve all who live here, wherever they may come from.
“As faith leaders we will continue to work together for the peace and flourishing of all in our city, regardless of their race, faith or background.”
Signatories
Right Revd Dr Michael Volland
Bishop of Birmingham, Church of England
Right Revd Esther Prior
Bishop of Aston, Church of England
Imam Mohammad Asad
Lead Imam, Birmingham Central Mosque
Rabbi Lisa Barrett
Senior Rabbi, Birmingham Progressive Synagogue
Rabbi Yossi Jacobs
Chief Minister, Birmingham Hebrew Congregation
Archbishop Bernard Longley
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Birmingham
Venerable Dr Ottara Nyana
Spiritual leader, Birmingham Buddhist Vihara and the Dhamma Talaka Peace Pagoda
Bhai Sahib Mohinder Singh
Chair, Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha
Patricia Whitney
Chair, Birmingham Faith Leaders Group
Amrick Singh Ubi
Director of Civic Engagement, Nishkam Group
Naima Ali
Director, Uplift Adult and Youth CIC
Jill Appleton
National Director, The Feast Youth Project
Shaykh Paul Salahuddin Armstrong
Managing Director, The Association of British Muslims
Dr Iqtidar Karamat Cheema
Director, Institute for Leadership and Community Development
Revd Steve Faber
Synod Moderator, The United Reformed Church
Revd Novette Headley
Co-Chair, West Midlands Methodist District
Ruth Jacobs
Chair, Jewish representative Council for Birmingham and the West Midlands
Sheikh Nuru Mohammed
Resident Imam, KSIMC OF Birmingham
Tervinder Singh Nazran
Representative of Shri Dasmesh Sikh Temple
Hakk Özal
West Midlands Regional Director, Dialogue Society
Dr Shaykh Imam Abdul Pirzada
Director, Al-Shaafi Pirzada Foundation UK
Imam Qiyam
Head Imam, Adam Mosque & Dawah Academy Birmingham
Dr Peter Rookes
Chair, Birmingham More in Common Group
Jas Singh Sharma
President, Hindu Council of Central England
Hafiz Adeel Tassawar
Chair, Masjid Ali Ahle Sunnah Wal Jamaat
Kuldip Singh Ubhi
National President, Namdhari Sikhs UK
Acharya Dharm Dutt Vasistha
Head Priest, Shree Geeta Bhawan
