Joint statement from Bristol’s interfaith community on the escalation of violence in Israel-Palestine
Religious leaders from across the Abrahamic faiths have come together to send a joint message to the people of Bristol, inviting them to come together in prayer for those affected by violence in Palestine and Israel and calling for a swift end to violence and a peaceful resolution of this conflict.
The Rt Revd Vivienne Faull (Bishop of Bristol), Rabbi Monique Mayer (Bristol & West Progressive Jewish Congregation) and Zaheer Shabir (Building the Bridge) along with Cllr Tom Aditya, (Chairman of the Bristol Multi-Faith Forum), have offered up the following words in sombre reflection:
“The continuing escalation of violence in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that we have witnessed in recent days has deeply shaken everybody across the world. Few words can make sense of the tension we feel as we grieve the immense loss of life in this conflict.
We condemn all forms of violence, particularly those that are targeting innocent people and their families who are simply trying to live their lives. We urge the leaders to put an end to the ongoing violence and find ways to build peace among peoples and nations, so that they may live in unity with their neighbours.
We ask all our Christian, Muslim, and Jewish sisters and brothers across Bristol to come together at this difficult time and join in prayer for all who are affected by this conflict, both abroad and at home. We pray for an end to prejudice, both anti-Jewish and anti-Muslim, in our city and our country. We pray for a genuine, long-lasting peace in the region and across the world that unites us all in our humanity.”
Bristol Multi-Faith Forum (BMFF) is organising this year’s Bristol Diverse Doors Open Day on Sunday, the 19th of November 2023 from 9 am to 5.30 pm, as part of the UK Inter Faith Week. Bristol Diverse Doors Open Day celebrates the religious diversity of Bristol, giving communities the chance to experience and learn each other’s cultures and beliefs; and offering the opportunity to visit a range of places of worship and discover many faith communities that exist in Bristol.
Faith Trail at the Hindu Temple
Over the years, many places of worship have opened their doors to the general public and to members of other faith communities as part of this event, which is unique to Bristol. All places of worship in Bristol are invited to participate in the Diverse Doors Open Day. Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant, the High Sheriff, the Lord Mayor, the Police Commissioner, councillors, civic dignitaries, various community leaders, and people from different walks of life will be participating in the Diverse Doors Open Day programmes at different venues. BMFF always requests guests and community members to respect and follow the customs and practices of the visiting place of worship.
Faith Trail at the Greek Orthodox Church
Bristol Multi-Faith Forum also focuses on peace and harmony amongst communities and efforts to support the distressed people affected by the war. Bristol Diverse Doors Open Day Multi-Faith trail is coordinated by Cllr Tom Aditya, Chairman of the Multi-Faith Forum, with the cooperation of Bristol’s faith communities and harmonised by BMFF Steering Group members. This year’s Diverse Doors Open Day will be supported by Bristol City Council’s Community Development Team under the leadership of Mr Mohammed El Sharif.
Faith Trail at the Buddhist shrine
BMFF will arrange a scheduled tour providing minibus transport for people who have signed up for the tour in advance, for a small donation. Diverse Doors Multi-Faith Trail will start at 9 a.m. on Sunday, the 19th of November 2023 from the BMFF office at the Barton Hill Settlement, 43 Ducie Road, Bristol (BS5 0AX), and will finish by 5.30 p.m. The Faith Trail will pass through a Buddhist shrine, a Greek Orthodox Christian Church, a Seventh Day Adventist Church, a Muslim Mosque, a Sikh Gurudwara, a Jewish Synagogue, a Hindu Temple, and a Bahai Centre.
More details of the Multi-Faith Trail and Diverse Doors Open Day will be updated shortly through the BMFF website. We request all those who are interested, to join this year’s Diverse Doors Multi-Faith Trail. Seats are limited on the tour. Please email info@bristolmultifaithforum.org.uk to book your seats in advance. Older persons, various community leaders, university students, and other youngsters who have shown interest in inter-faith and inter-cultural activities are welcome.
Faith Trail at the Mosque
We would like to take this opportunity to invite you and your friends, family members and colleagues to join us and taste the various flavours of the different faiths in Bristol on the 19th of November. Let’s celebrate the UK Inter-Faith Week in harmony.
Faith Trail at the Jewish Synagogue
A group gathering of the Bristol Multi-Faith Forum at the Hindu Temple.
Bristol Multi-Faith Forum is an equality organization established in 2004 by the Bristol City Council for inter-faith community cohesion and inter-cultural social harmony; and to promote the health and well-being of the communities.
Bristol Multi-Faith Forum in collaboration with the British Science Association is organising a series of three science workshops for school students. The workshops will be facilitated by the Bristol University researchers team. Creating and increasing awareness about Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths (STEM) subjects among youths is the prime objective of this workshop series. Science helps to gain knowledge about the environment, health, and different aspects of life. Workshops will be creative, fun-filled, and interactive.
Each workshop will handle a different topic. Refreshments will be provided. Free Entry for school students from the age of 5 to 15 years. A certificate of participation and a goodie bag will be given to participants who complete the workshop series.
Date and Time:
Sunday, 8th October 2023, 10.30 am-12 noon.
Saturday, 25th November 2023, 10.30 am-12 noon.
Sunday, 10th December 2023, 10.30 am-12 noon.
Venue:
Bailey’s Court Activity Centre,
Bailey’s Court Road, Bradley Stoke
Bristol, BS32 8BH
Please note, registration is mandatory. To register, please email info@bristolmultifaithforum.org.uk with your child’s name, school year, and your contact details, and also subject reference: Science Workshop (Information will be stored confidentially).
Admission to the science workshops is free, however, application for registration via email is mandatory to sort out entry to these workshops. Currently, we received an overwhelming number of applications and have closed applications for registrations. The seats have been allocated on a first-come-first-serve basis.As of now, all the allocated seats are filled, along with a huge waiting list. So, please don’t turn up, without getting a confirmation email from the Bristol Multi Faith Forum office.
Our resources are limited to respond to each and every individual email application. We tried our level best to accommodate all those who have requested, however, we cannot provide spaces for all in this series. We will try to accommodate the rest of the children in our next workshop series.
Thank you all for your support, cooperation, and understanding.
Update 2(8th October 2023)
The Science Workshops organised by the Bristol Multi-Faith Forum in collaboration with the British Science Association and the University of Bristol, became a big hit amongst school children. The first workshopheld at Baileys Court Activity Centre, Bradley Stokeon 8th October 2023, was on how the brain works and how to deal with different levels of pressure called stress. Cllr Tom Aditya, Chairman of the Bristol Multi-Faith Forum, welcomed everyone andinaugurated the workshop. The workshop was led by brain researchers from the University of Bristol. Dr. Polly Barr, covered bilingualism and its positive improvisation on the brain, whilst Dr. Sean Froudist-Walsh enfolded how the brain works together to produce cognition and Dr Mizuki Morisaki unraveled how to reduce the risk of developing dementia and depression. The workshop was coordinated by Adv. Tripti Megeri, assisted by young volunteers: Albert, Adona, and Alphons. All participant students received a certificate of participation along with a small workbook and a miniature model of the brain. Organizers also arranged an assortment of refreshments for all participants. All the school students who attended the workshop expressed great joy and content being part of the workshop.
Update 3 (9th October 2023)
Organisers requested parents to turn up with children only after receiving a confirmation email from the BMFF officeregarding their particular workshop and date, after sending their particular email application for admission.
The team: L-R: Adv. Tripti Megeri, Dr. Sean Froudist Walsh, Dr. Polly Barr, Dr. Mizuki Morisaki, Cllr Tom Aditya, Alphons Theres, and Albert Sebastian. Mentors and team members:Dr. Sean Froudist Walsh, Dr. Polly Barr, Dr. Mizuki Morisaki, Adona Susan, Alphons Theres, and Albert Sebastian.Participants 8th October 2023Workshop in progress 8th October 2023
Bristol Multi-Faith Forum is an equality organization established in 2004 by the Bristol City Council for inter-faith community cohesion and inter-cultural social harmony; and to promote the health and well-being of the communities.
