The Bristol Multi-Faith Forum (BMFF) in partnership with the Pakistan Association of Bristol (PAB) and the Indian Community of West of England (ICWE), is arranging a Harmony Summit with a multi-cuisine buffet lunch and diverse cultural programmes at Bristol ZaZa Bazaar Restaurant, Harbourside, Bristol (BS1 5UH) on Sunday, 18th of August 2024 from 10.45 am to celebrate the Independence Day festivities of India and Pakistan jointly and to spread the message of community cohesion. August is considered as the South Asian Heritage Month. The programme includes welcome drinks, refreshments, melodic music, diverse cultural programmes, multi-cuisine buffet lunch and inspiring messages from dignitaries. This harmony series is special and unique to Bristol and conveys the message of harmony to the rest of the world.
Bristol Multi-Faith Forum (BMFF) is an equality organisation instituted by the Bristol City Council in 2004 to lead inter-faith community cohesion and inter-cultural social harmony activities in the region and to promote community well-being. BMFF is active as an inter-faith community cohesion forum in the West of England region. This is the third year, BMFF is organising this India- Pakistan harmony series. Previous years’ harmony events were successful and we received appreciation from all over the UK. Again this year, BMFF provides a platform for both communities in the West of England region to come together and have an India-Pakistan Friendship Meal. In previous years, Bristol Multi-Faith Forum has also been involved in arranging similar events with the Palestinian and Israeli communities and was successful in combating prejudice and spreading the message of harmony.
The India and Pakistan friendship buffet is a symbolic expression of the harmony and friendship that needs to exist between the Indian and Pakistan communities as well as amongst the Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Christian, Jain, Bahai, Jewish, Buddhist, Parsi and other humanist faiths. This programme will be attended by His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant, the Indian and Pakistani High Commission officials, the Lord Mayor, the High Sheriff, the Metro Mayor, the Police and Crime Commissioner, MPs, the Police Chief, University Vice-Chancellors, Aldermen, councillors, civic officials and community leaders. We thank all the dignitaries, civic officials, and community leaders for confirming attendance.
August 14 marks Pakistan Independence Day and August 15 is Indian Independence Day. Due to the trauma of partition and communal conflicts as well as the history of wars between both countries, there are tensions and misunderstandings between both communities worldwide. We need to alleviate such animosities and divisions amongst both communities at the grassroots level in the West of England region. Through this event, BMFF provides a platform for Indian and Pakistani communities in the West of England region to meet, enjoy, and spread the message of peace and harmony.
The venue, Zaza Bazaar Restaurant, Canon’s Road, Bristol (BS1 5UH), is an exciting 1000-seater multi-cuisine buffet restaurant that offers a world of culinary adventure with over 300 dishes across the globe and a wide variety of delicacies from different cuisines, especially from South Asian, Far East, Caribbean, Tex Mex, American and European food habits. You can choose from as many dishes and sweet treat desserts as much as you can enjoy. On Sundays, they have a special extra medley of exclusive ethnic dishes including Biriyani, Dosa, Uttapams, Cholle Poori, kadhi rice, Keema, rasam, all-day English breakfast and Sunday carvery. Also, the specialist chefs will cook the dishes of your liking at the live cooking stations too. There will be music and cultural programmes to enhance the harmonious spirit of the gathering. The welcome drink and refreshments will start at 10.45 am and the cultural activities will finish by 3 pm.
Bristol Multi Faith Forum (BMFF) cordially invites all people of goodwill to join the “Harmony Buffet Lunch” and to herald the message of peace and harmony amongst communities. We also provide free tickets to those who cannot afford to pay, if informed prior to 14th August. Right of admission is reserved. Please send your names via email to info@bristolmultifaithforum.org.uk, and book your seats soon. Grab the opportunity to book the seats as quickly as possible.
We thank all people of goodwill for joining this friendship initiative and buffet lunch. Our acknowledgement and gratitude to all. Let’s all be part of the message of harmony and friendship.
With warm regards,
Cllr Tom Aditya Chairman, Bristol Multi-Faith Forum.
Mohindra Singh Chowdhry, Adv. Tripti Megeri, Mohammed Arif Khan, Afzal Shah, Mazhar Iqbal, Mrs Shehnaz Dar. Facilitators- Harmony Buffet.
Bristol Diverse Doors Open Day 19th November 2023, Sunday.
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 City and the West of England region, 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 the West of England region.
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.
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.
A community harmony buffet dinner has been arranged at Bristol ZaZa Bazaar on Sunday, 14thAugust 2022 as part of the community cohesion campaign by the Bristol Multi-Faith Forum (BMFF) to jointly celebrate Independence Day festivities of India and Pakistan
A community harmony dinner has been arranged at Bristol ZaZa Bazaar on Sunday, 14th August 2022 as part of the community cohesion campaign by the Bristol Multi-Faith Forum (BMFF) to celebrate the Independence Day festivities of India and Pakistan, jointly and to spread the message of community cohesion and the awareness of Blood and Donation amongst ethnic minorities.
August 14 marks Pakistan Independence Day and August 15 is Indian Independence Day. Due to the trauma of partition and communal conflicts as well as the history of wars between both countries, there are tensions and misunderstandings between both communities worldwide. We need to alleviate such animosities and divisions amongst both communities at the grassroots level in the West of England region. Bristol Multi-Faith Forum (BMFF) is an equality organisation instituted by the Bristol City Council in 2004 for inter-faith and inter-cultural social harmony and to promote community well-being. BMFF is providing a platform for both communities in the West of England region to come together and have an India-Pakistan Friendship Meal, which has been attended by Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant, the Lord Mayor, MPs, Chair of the South Glos Council, civic officials and community leaders, as well as representatives from the Indian and Pakistan High Commissions in the UK.
BMFF’s campaign for 2022 – 2024 to promote blood donation among Black, African and Caribbean communities was officially launched by the Lord Lieutenant of Bristol Peaches Golding during this ceremonious gathering.
The friendship meal became a symbolic expression of the harmony and friendship that needs to exist amongst communities in Bristol, and to join hands together with the Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Christian, Jain, Bahai, Jewish, Buddhist, and Parsi faiths in the West of England region. Earlier, Bristol Multi-Faith Forum was involved in arranging similar events with Palestinian and Israeli communities and was successful in combating prejudice and spreading the message of harmony. We consider it essential to organise a symbolic get-together of these two communities in this part of the world and convey a message of harmony to the rest of the world.
Zaza Bazaar Restaurant, Canon’s Road, Bristol BS1 5UH is a world of culinary adventure with over 300 dishes from across the globe and a wide variety of delicacies from different cuisines. In this global restaurant, you can choose from as many dishes and sweet treat desserts as you can enjoy across 5 continents of flavours, especially from South Asian, Far East, Caribbean, Tex Mex, American and European cuisines. On Sundays, they have a medley of a lot of exclusive ethnic dishes including Rasam, dosa, Uttapams, Cholle Poori, kadhi chawal, Keema, Biriyani, all-day English breakfast and Sunday carvery. Also, the specialist chefs will cook the dishes of your liking at the live cooking stations too. There will be music and cultural programmes to enhance the harmonious spirit of the gathering. The programme will finish by 3 pm.
We invited all people of goodwill to join the “Harmony Buffet Dinner” on Sunday, 14th of August, and to herald the message of peace and harmony amongst communities. This self-funded friendship initiative has been arranged on short notice, yet we are thankful to all the dignitaries, civic officials, community leaders and people of goodwill for their confirmation of attendance. All seats have been booked now. All those who requested seats via email to info@bristolmultifaithforum.org.uk, by the 11th of August were allocated seats and added to the guest list. We thank the Chair of the South Glos Council for offering to help us with the partial cost of arranging this friendship initiative. We express our acknowledgement and gratitude to the Chair of South Glos Council, and its Member Awarded Funding programme for helping us and for enabling us to help the ‘Feed the Homeless initiative’.
With warm regards,
Cllr Tom Aditya Chairman, Bristol Multi-Faith Forum. Tel: 07852456253
Afzal Shah, Mohindra Singh Chowdhry, Mohammed Arif Khan and Tripti Megeri Facilitators- Harmony Dinner.
More than 140 students attended the Fun based Virtual Science Workshop for school students, organized by the Bristol Multi-Faith Forum in partnership with the British Science Association, through Google Meet virtual platform on Saturday, 15th of March 2025 from 10 am to 11 am. Ms Claire Hazelgrove MP inaugurated the Science Workshop and greeted the students and appreciated their interest to be part of such an exploring and inquisitive learning programme.
Screenshot of the Science Workshop Inaugural session. Claire Hazelgrove MP, Cllr Tom Aditya, Fun Science Team, and few of the students on screen. Honourable Claire Hazelgrove MPCllr Tom Aditya addressing the Science Workshop
Cllr Tom Aditya, Chairman of the Bristol Multi-Faith Forum presided over the inaugural session and expressed thanks to the Chief Guest, Ms Claire Hazelgrove MP, the British Science Association, the Fun Science Team and all the students who attended the workshop as well as their parents for joining together to make the programme a success. Cllr Tom Aditya explained the significant role played by the British Science Association in promoting the Science Week activities and how it helps the young minds to explore further in science and technology. He said that Bristol Multi Faith Forum feels proud to play a creative role in collaborating with these kind of informative, entertaining and learning programmes amongst the youngsters. Some parts of his speech has been added as part of this report’s appendix.
Adv. Tripti Megeri coordinated the workshop. She explained the session’s formalities, the data protection rules considering children’s cyber safety, sought permission from students willing to appear on the screenshots and thanked all those who participated and supported the endeavour. Ms Cressida from the Fun Science Team led the science interactive session, and the students enjoyed it, undertaking various science experiments and science explorations. Many children and their parents left positive feedback regarding the science workshop, and expressed desire to participate such events in the future too.
Some of the screenshots taken during the workshop has been given below:
Cllr Tom Aditya explained that Bristol Multi Faith Forum has been hosting Fun based Science Workshops since 2018 as part of the Science Week. Bristol Multi-Faith Forum had also organised three distinct themed science workshops for school students in partnership with the University of Bristol in 2023, and it was a great success (https://bristolmultifaithforum.org.uk/science-workshop-2023/).
Science Workshop led by Cllr Tom Aditya
Cllr Tom Aditya added “Britain’s National Science Week was first held in 1994. It is now known as British Science Week and is one of the largest national celebrations of science. It is organised by the British Science Association and funded by BEIS (UK Department for Business, Energy, Innovation and Skills) and other partners. British Science Week is a massive UK-wide grassroots celebration of science which saw over 1 million people taking part in over 2,300 events and activities throughout the UK in 2024.
British Science Week celebrates science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM). This year, the theme is ‘change and adapt’, which plays a big part in the scientific world.
Science workshops are useful because they provide a hands-on learning environment, allowing participants to actively engage with scientific concepts through experiments and exploration, which fosters critical thinking, problem-solving skills, curiosity, and a deeper understanding of scientific principles while also promoting teamwork and creativity; essentially making science learning more engaging and memorable compared to traditional methods.
Workshops can be very useful as they provide hands-on learning, allow for interactive discussions, and offer networking opportunities with peers and experts. They help participants gain practical skills, stay updated with industry trends, and receive personalized feedback.
Activities in which children participate both in terms of their physical and mental development are of great importance. Arts, science, sports or nature activities improve children’s perspectives as well as their self-confidence.
Science and nature activities help children to better understand the environment they live in; develops analytical thinking, problem solving and coping skills. Science and nature activities are also important in developing children’s creativity.
Cllr Tom Aditya alluded that Science workshops helps to:
1. Learning through experimentation: Engaging in science and nature activities allows children to learn through hands-on experimentation, fostering scientific thinking techniques.
2. Improved observation skills: Children develop their ability to observe, analyze, and synthesize information, honing their powers of observation.
3. Enhanced academic success: Science and nature activities not only teach correct thinking methods but also positively impact children’s performance in school lessons.
4. Encourages curiosity and inquiry: The interactive nature of workshops sparks interest and encourages questions about the world around them.These activities fuel children’s curiosity, encouraging them to ask questions and fostering a thirst for learning.
5. Improved eye-hand coordination: Children develop better eye and hand coordination as they participate in experiments and hands-on tasks.
6. Motor skills development: For children aged up to 8, participating in nature activities and science workshops aids in the development of motor skills.
7. Social skill enhancement: Children interacting with peers during these activities have the opportunity to develop their social skills and teamwork abilities.
8. Boosted self-confidence: Successfully completing experiments and understanding scientific concepts can boost self-esteem.Involvement in culture, art, science, nature, or sports activities enables children to discover their talents, promoting self-confidence.
9. Creative problem-solving: Children exposed to diverse subjects learn to generate ideas and approach problems from different perspectives.
10. Strengthened cognitive abilities: Science and nature activities enhance children’s observation, classification, comparison, and inference skills, improving their cognitive abilities.
11. Develops critical thinking skills: Participants learn to analyze data, draw conclusions, and approach scientific problems critically through experimentation.
12. Improves practical skills: Hands-on activities allow participants to practice scientific techniques and procedures.
13. Promotes collaboration and teamwork: Working together on experiments helps develop communication and collaboration skills.
14. Connects science to real-world applications: Workshops can incorporate relevant real-world scenarios to demonstrate the practical uses of science.
15. Stimulates creativity: Exploring different approaches to solve problems within experiments encourages creative thinking.
16. STEM skills stimulation: Science workshops encourage the development of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) skills. Children can improve their capacity for logical reasoning, analytical thinking, creativity, problem solving and manual dexterity.
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Archive: Science Workshop information published on 20th February 2025
Bristol Multi-Faith Forum in partnership with the British Science Association is organising a Fun-Filled Virtual Science Workshop for school students (up to age 13) on Saturday, 15th of March 2025 from 10 am to 11 am (UK time).
This fun-filled science workshop through Google Meet virtual platform will be an informative and entertaining experience for kids. Registration and participation in this virtual science workshop are free for all children, which suits more for school going science students preferably from class 3 to class 7.
To register, please email info@bristolmultifaithforum.org.uk with your child’s name, school year, and contact details (place and contact number /email address). Please put a subject reference to your email: Virtual Science Workshop 2025 (Information will be stored confidentially). The last date of registration is the 10th of March 2025.
Bristol Multi-Faith Forum will send the joining link to all registrants via email by the 14th of March. Certificates of participation will be given on a later date to all children who register and attend the workshop.
List of items kids shall have to make the virtual workshop more interactive and fun-filled:
Felt tip pens (any colours)
Kitchen roll/toilet roll (4 sheets)
Scrap paper (any size)
Scissors
Sticky tape
Bowl of water (any size)
Straw
Washing up liquid.
Please encourage your children to join in and make the best use of this exciting opportunity. There are only limited seats in this fun-filled workshop, and acceptance of registration will be on a first come-first serve basis.
Bristol Multi-Faith Forum is an equality organization established by the Bristol City Council in 2004 for inter-faith community cohesion and inter-cultural social harmony and to promote the health and well-being of the communities.
NB:
If you are using a mobile device to join this virtual Science Workshop, you will need to have downloaded the Google Meet app from your usual app store. When you join the virtual science workshop, you can use the chat function of the Google Meet application to let the trainer know that you have joined. During the initial few minutes, please bear with us – the trainer may be assisting other participants who are experiencing technical difficulties. Please be assured that the trainer will be with you as soon as possible.
Few guidelines regarding this virtual science workshop.
Please make sure that there are no noise distractions in the background. If there are any noise distractions, please mute your speaker.
Please don’t switch off your webcam when the trainer is giving instructions or you taking part in science experiments.
Please follow the trainer’s instructions to ensure the best results of the workshop. You must give your full attention to the workshop at all times and not be distracted.
Please don’t publicise this meeting’s online link on social media.
Please avoid sharing personal information on the online meeting screen.
We will be taking screenshots during the session, and if you don’t wish to appear in the screenshots, please inform us prior.
Definitely, it’s fun and it’s science. Let’s enjoy
Recognizing religious holidays and holy days, regardless of the religion is crucial for fostering an inclusive community life. Our Interfaith Calendar 2025 is designed to assist organizations in acknowledging a diverse array of religious holidays and festivals. This inclusive approach not only supports respectful scheduling but also promotes a culture of understanding and respect.
Please note that the list we have shared below doesn’t include every holiday but is a sampling of some religious holidays that you should be aware of when scheduling important meetings or events.
January 2025 Holy Days
January 6 – Christian: Epiphany Celebrates the visit of the Magi to the baby Jesus.
January 6 – Sikh: Guru Gobind Singh Gurpurab Celebrates the birth of Guru Gobind Singh, the Sikhs’ 10th master and teacher.
January 7 – Coptic Orthodox Christian: Christmas Marks the birth of Jesus Christ according to the Julian calendar.
January 14 – Hindu: Pongal A harvest festival thanking the Sun God for the agricultural abundance.
January 14 – Buddhist: Mahayana New Year Celebrates the Buddhist New Year in Mahayana traditions.
February Religious Holidays Calendar
February 2 – Pagan and Wiccan: Imbolc* Celebrates the beginning of spring and the goddess Brigid.
February 2 – Christian: Candlemas Commemorates the presentation of Jesus at the temple.
February 15 – Buddhist: Parinirvana Marks the death of Buddha and his attainment of final Nirvana.
February 26 – Hindu: Maha Shivaratri A major Hindu festival celebrating Lord Shiva.
March Inclusive Religious Calendar
March 1 – Islamic: Ramadan begins* A holy month of fasting, prayer, and reflection for Muslims.
March 5 – Christian: Ash Wednesday Marks the beginning of Lent, a season of fasting and prayer.
March 14 – Hindu: Holi
The festival of colors, celebrating the arrival of spring. This is one of the most known Hinduism holy days.
March 14 – Sikh: Hola Mohalla A Sikh festival featuring martial arts, poetry, and community gatherings.
March 20 – Baha’i: Naw-Ruz* The Baha’i New Year, celebrated with joy and festivities.
March 31 – Islamic: Eid al-Fitr* Marks the end of Ramadan, celebrated with a feast and prayers. On one of the most important Islamic holy days.
Zero Discrimination Day – March 1 Observed by the United Nations, Zero Discrimination Day promotes equality and addresses the discrimination faced by individuals worldwide, fostering a more inclusive global society.
Employee Appreciation Day – March 7 Employee Appreciation Day is a chance for organizations to recognize and celebrate their employees’ hard work and dedication, building morale and fostering a positive workplace culture.
International Women’s Day – March 8 International Women’s Day celebrates the achievements of women worldwide while advocating for gender equality and women’s rights, bringing attention to critical issues that women face globally.
International Day to Combat Islamophobia – March 15 This day addresses and raises awareness about Islamophobia, encouraging global communities to work together against prejudice, promote inclusivity, and support Muslim communities.
April Diversity Calendar 2025 Highlights
April 10 – Jain: Mahavir Jayanti Celebrates the birth of Lord Mahavira, the founder of Jainism.
April 12 – Jehovah’s Witnesses: The Memorial of Jesus’ Death Commemorates the death of Jesus Christ.
April 13-20 – Jewish: Passover* Celebrates the liberation of the Israelites from Egyptian slavery.
April 14 – Sikh, Hindu: Vaisakhi Marks the Sikh New Year and celebrates the spring harvest.
April 20 – Christian: Easter Celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
International Autism Acceptance Day – April 2 This day promotes understanding, acceptance, and inclusion of individuals on the autism spectrum, focusing on recognizing their unique strengths and contributions.
Gold Star Spouses Day – April 5 This U.S. observance honors the surviving spouses of military members who lost their lives in service, recognizing their sacrifices and supporting their resilience.
International Day of Pink – April 9 This day stands against bullying, homophobia, transphobia, and all forms of discrimination, with communities worldwide encouraged to wear pink in solidarity. It’s a call for inclusivity and respect, fostering awareness and support for a safer, more accepting world.
Earth Day – April 22 Earth Day raises global awareness about environmental protection, inspiring action to combat climate change, reduce pollution, and promote sustainability. It’s a reminder of our shared responsibility to protect the planet for future generations through conscious, everyday choices.
Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day – April 24 This day commemorates the lives lost during the Armenian Genocide, honoring the heritage and resilience of Armenian communities worldwide. It serves as a call for reflection, understanding, and recognition of historical injustices to prevent future atrocities.
May 2025 Religious Holidays
May 1 – Pagan and Wiccan: Beltane* Celebrates the peak of spring and the coming of summer.
May 5 – Buddhist: Buddha’s Birthday Celebrates the birth of Siddhartha Gautama, the founder of Buddhism.
May 12 – Buddhist: Vesak Commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and death of Buddha.
May 16 – Jewish: Lag BaOmer* A festive day marking the end of a plague during Rabbi Akiva’s lifetime.
May 28 – Baha’i: Ascension of Baha’u’llah* Commemorates the passing of Baha’u’llah, the founder of the Baha’i Faith.
Day for Awareness of Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls – May 5 This day brings attention to the high rates of violence faced by Indigenous women, girls, and two-spirit people. It advocates for justice, awareness, and action to address these ongoing issues within Indigenous communities.
Cinco de Mayo – May 5 Cinco de Mayo commemorates the Mexican army’s victory over France at the Battle of Puebla in 1862, symbolizing resilience and pride. It has become a celebration of Mexican heritage, marked with cultural festivities and events.
Military Spouse Appreciation Day – May 9 This day recognizes the sacrifices and resilience of military spouses, who support their families and communities through the unique challenges of military life. It’s a day to show appreciation for their strength and dedication.
International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia – May 17 This day promotes equality and fights against discrimination faced by the LGBTQ+ community globally. It’s an opportunity to stand up for inclusivity, raise awareness, and foster a culture of acceptance.
June 2025 Holy Days
June 2-3 – Jewish: Shavuot* Celebrates the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai.
June 5-9 – Islamic: The Hajj* An annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, mandatory for all Muslims.
June 7-10 – Islamic: Eid-al-Adha* Commemorates the willingness of Ibrahim to sacrifice his son.
June 8 – Christian: Pentecost (Whit Sunday) Commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles.
June 19 – Roman Catholic: Feast of Corpus Christi Celebrates the Eucharist, the body and blood of Jesus Christ.
Loving Day – June 12 Loving Day commemorates the 1967 U.S. Supreme Court decision in Loving v. Virginia, which struck down laws banning interracial marriage. It’s a celebration of love, equality, and the right to marry regardless of race.
International Day of Countering Hate Speech – June 18 This day raises awareness about the harm caused by hate speech and promotes action to counter it through dialogue and education. It encourages unity and respect, aiming to create safer, more inclusive communities worldwide.
International Autistic Pride Day – June 18 Autistic Pride Day celebrates neurodiversity and the unique perspectives and talents of autistic individuals. It’s a day for acceptance and understanding, promoting respect for autism as a natural variation of human experience.
Juneteenth – June 19 Juneteenth marks the emancipation of enslaved African Americans and is celebrated as a day of freedom, resilience, and remembrance. It honors Black history and culture, with festivities, education, and reflection.
World Refugee Day – June 20 World Refugee Day recognizes the courage and contributions of refugees worldwide who have been forced to flee their homes. It’s a reminder of the need for compassion and support for displaced individuals, advocating for their rights and protection.
July Interfaith Calendar
July 5 – Islamic: Ashura* Marks the martyrdom of Husayn ibn Ali and is observed with mourning.
July 9 – Baha’i: Martyrdom of the Bab* Commemorates the execution of the Baha’i co-founder.
July 23 – Rastafarian: Birthday of Haile Selassie* Celebrates the birth of the Ethiopian Emperor, revered in Rastafarianism.
July 24 – Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: Pioneer Day Commemorates the arrival of the first Mormon pioneers in Utah.
August 2025 Religious Festivals Calendar
August 1 – Pagan and Wiccan: Lughnasadh* Celebrates the beginning of the harvest season.
August 15 – Roman Catholic: Feast of the Assumption Celebrates the assumption of the Virgin Mary into heaven.
August 16-17 – Hindu: Krishna Janmashtami Celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna.
August 21 – Jain: Paryushana begins Marks an important Jain festival focused on fasting and forgiveness.
August 27 – Hindu: Ganesh Chaturthi Celebrates the birth of Lord Ganesh.
Purple Heart Day – August 7
Today, remember Americans who have been wounded in battle, have done courageous acts while at war or who gave their life for our freedoms. Purple represents bravery and courage and it is the oldest military decoration presented to service members in the United States. It was first created by George Washington in 1782.
International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples – August 9
The International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples hopes to raise awareness about the rights and contributions of indigenous populations worldwide. Today, start a dialogue about the indigenous communities and society by understanding the challenges they face such as marginalization.
Women’s Equality Day – August 26
This day remembers the passage of the 19th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution in 1920, which gave women the right to vote. Celebrate the achievements of women in history this month. Remember the ongoing struggle for gender equality and women’s rights every day.
International Day of People of African Descent – August 31
This day was established by the United Nations to celebrate the rich heritage and contributions of people of African descent worldwide, and to promote the full inclusion of people of African descent in all aspects of society. It also aims to combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance that people of African descent face globally.
Major Religious Holidays for September
September 5 – Islamic: Mawlid al-Nabi* Celebrates the birth of the Prophet Muhammad.
September 11 – Coptic Orthodox Christian: Nayrouz Marks the start of the Coptic New Year.
September 22 – Pagan and Wiccan: Mabon* Celebrates the autumn equinox and the second harvest.
September 23-24 – Jewish: Rosh Hashanah* The Jewish New Year, a time of reflection and renewal.
September 28-October 2 – Hindu: Durga Puja Celebrates the goddess Durga’s victory over the buffalo demon Mahishasura.
October Interfaith Holy Days
October 2 – Jewish: Yom Kippur* The holiest day in Judaism, dedicated to atonement and repentance. This is one of the most important Jewish high holy days.
October 7-13 – Jewish: Sukkot* A week-long festival celebrating the fall harvest.
October 20 – Hindu: Diwali The festival of lights, celebrating the victory of light over darkness.
October 22 – Baha’i: Birthday of the Bab* Celebrates the birth of the Baha’i co-founder.
October 31 – Pagan and Wiccan: Samhain* Celebrates the end of the harvest and the beginning of winter.
November World Religion Calendar
November 1 – Christian: All Saints’ Day Honors all saints, known and unknown.
November 2 – Christian: All Souls’ Day Commemorates all the faithful departed.
November 21 – Eastern Orthodox Christian: The Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple Celebrates the presentation of Mary in the temple.
November 24 – Sikh: Martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Honors the martyrdom of the ninth Sikh Guru.
November 30 – Christian: Advent Marks the beginning of the Christian liturgical year leading up to Christmas.
Major Religious Holidays for December 2025
December 6 – Christian: Saint Nicholas Day Celebrates Saint Nicholas, the patron saint of children.
December 8 – Buddhist: Bodhi Day Commemorates the enlightenment of Buddha.
December 15-22 – Jewish: Hanukkah* The Festival of Lights, celebrating the rededication of the Second Temple.
December 21 – Pagan and Wiccan: Yule* Celebrates the winter solstice and the rebirth of the sun.
December 25 – Christian: Christmas Celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ.
An Inter-faith, inter-cultural event to promote social harmony and community cohesion.
The South Gloucestershire Faith and Harmony Festival organised by the Bristol and West of England Multi-Faith Forum, with the support of the South Gloucestershire Council and the Southern Brooks Community Partnership, at Bradley Stoke, Baileys Court Activity Centre, on Saturday, 15th of March 2025, was a huge success in promoting the message of inter-faith community cohesion and inter-cultural social harmony. People from various faiths, cultures and communities came with zeal and enthusiasm to partake in this fascinating community event.
The Nine Multi-Colour Harmony candles
The event was ceremonially inaugurated with the Lighting of the Candles, and representatives from all faiths jointly lit the Nine Multi-Colour Harmony candles to show their solidarity and harmony. The session was formally opened through a video message by the Honourable Member of Parliament for Filton and Bradley Stoke, Ms Claire Hazelgrove MP, who expressed her solidarity with the theme of harmony and inclusiveness. The video footage of Claire Hazelgrove MP’s message is enclosed in the link: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/165n6w87PK/.
Claire Hazelgrove MP
Cllr Tom Aditya, Chairman of the Bristol Multi Faith Forum and Ex-Mayor of Bradley Stoke-Bristol, presided the session and welcomed all the guests and participants to the Faith and Harmony Festival.
Cllr Tom Aditya presenting the theme.
Cllr Tom Aditya gave a presentation on the theme: ‘Faith and Harmony’ and explained that through this Faith and Harmony Festival, we are jointly commemorating diverse religious festivals of various religious communities during this season such as Lent, Ramadan, Holi, Bahai Nav-Ruz, Eid, Ramnavami, Vaishaki, Passover, Easter, and our rich cultural diversity. He explained the significance and relevance of each religious festival and its meaning. He added that through this event, we celebrate inclusiveness, mutual respect and a sense of belonging for all residents, from the traditional inhabitants of the land to those who have come from many countries around the world. Thanks to the kind support from the South Glos Council and the Southern Brooks Partnership for making it happen. This programme can also be called a Multi-Faith Iftar. This event is also held to commemorate the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination which is observed annually on 21 March since declared by the United Nations in 1966.
Rev. Fr. Paul
Rev. Father Paul Olickal (Vicar, Syro Malabar Church, Filton), Mr Abdul Mohammed (Muslim Preacher), Mr. Satish Sunak (Hindu community), Mr. Mohindra Singh Chowdhry (Sikh Community Leader and President of the International Punjabi Forum), Cllr Mark Rosher (Chairman of the Charfield Parish Council and the Druids Network), Mr Bassi (Business Network) and Dr Anjali Soodan (NHS South Glos) addressed the gathering and shared their views on peace and harmony. The sessions were informative, interactive and engaging.
There was also a meaningful conversation about the significance of ‘Sewa’ (selfless service) to help one another; and the tradition of fasting in different religions and cultures, and how that helps harmony. Cllr James Hackett (Siston Council), Mrs Huma (Islamic Mission), Ms Sarah Bareau (Jigsaw Education), Ms Samie Santos (NHS Mental Health Partnership), Mr Albert Sebastian, Ms Adona Susan and Mrs Jain participated in the discussion. The cultural performances of the festival were entertaining. Melodious singing by Cllr Tony Griffiths, Ms Alphons Theres, and Dr Meenal Shrikhande, and the delightful fusion dance by Ms Samyukta Megeri, and the youth team fascinated the attention of the participants.
A group snap of some of the guest speakers and volunteers after the Harmony Festival.
There were messages and greetings from the Avon and Somerset Police & Crime Commissioner Ms Clare Moody, West of England Metro Mayor Dan Norris MP, His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant Mrs Peaches Golding OBE CStJ, High Sheriff Revd Richard Pendlebury MBE DL, Member of Parliament for Thornbury & Yate Ms Claire Young, Chairman of the South Glos Council (SGC) Cllr Franklin Owusu-Antwi, SGC Cabinet member for Communities and Local Place Cllr Sean Rhodes, SGC Community Development & Partnerships Director Mark Pullin, North Bristol NHS Trust Chaplaincy Lead Revd Mark Read, and many faith and community leaders. The information regarding the event and its theme were covered in the media, especially on BBC Radio Bristol and through various community groups.
Iftar Gathering
Delicious Asian food were served, with vegetarian and non vegetarian options. Different varieties of fruits, dates, sweets, desserts, samosas, green salads, chick pea salads, mutter paneer masala, lamb biriyani, vegetable fried rice, pickles, pappads, yogurts, chocolates, and sweet puddings were arranged. Everyone enjoyed the programme and the food. The event received excellent and encouraging response. The attendees provided positive feedback and suggested that such events must be conducted regularly. One of the written feedback reads as follows: “I wanted to say, I enjoyed engaging with the people there. As a South Glos resident, I’m not great at interfaith, but this event really has been inspiring and informative, and enabled me to gain a wider experience of life across the county. I thank you again for your kind invitation, and for the most excellent refreshments. Thank you very much”.
Adv. Tripti Megeri, Secretary of the Bristol Multi-Faith Forum coordinated the event and thanked everyone for their support and participation. Mrs Tripti pointed out that BMFF is organising this event for the South Glos Council as part of our volunteering commitment to spread the message of harmony amongst communities and to promote the inclusive vision for a multi-faith iftar, exchanging ideas about other traditions and festivals as well as sharing and tasting diverse cuisines and flavours. She thanked the initiative by the South Glos Council and the support from the Southern Brooks Partnership, which made this possible. She specially thanked BMFF Chairman Cllr Tom Aditya for overseeing the programme, leading the project team, bringing people together from all faiths and walks of lives to the event and for eloquently presenting the vision at the gathering, withstanding various challenges and stress he faced with his mother’s bereavement, recently. She expressed her gratitude to all the speakers, performers and participants for enriching the event. She also noted her thanks to the venue management team, the event promotion and publicity team, the lights and sounds team, the professional photographers team, the food, catering and hospitality team, the cleaning team, and various community volunteers, who helped to organise the event.
Mrs Tripti added that this year alone, on top of BMFF’s routine commitments and engagements, Bristol Multi-Faith Forum have been part of various iftar gatherings in and around the city, such as the Bristol Cathedral grand iftar, St Mark’s Road grand iftar, Cotham High School iftar, St Anne’s House community iftar, the Dialogue Society’s iftar, the Indian Muslim community’s iftar, Turkish iftar, the Chinese Uyghur community iftar, and iftars at various mosques; and through these gatherings BMFF is giving the message of inclusiveness and harmony, and that is our commitment to the mission.
Prior to the start of the session, Mrs Tripti explained that BMFF had hired additional halls at the venue to help those who want to specially pray during the session. BMFF had commissioned professional photographers to gracefully cover the event, and if anyone is not interested to show their faces in the snaps or videos, then such requests before the beginning of the session will be respected. A section of the attendees, shown reluctance to be in the pictures due to their own personal reasons, and their decisions were politely adhered and their pictures were not taken.
Few of the speakers
Bristol Multi-Faith Forum promotes social communication, meaningful conversations, the freedom of ideas and encouragement of mutual respect. Cllr Tom Aditya explained that as part of celebrating the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, we need to remind ourselves the principle of equality recognised by the United Nations General Assembly, which reiterates that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights and have the potential to contribute constructively to the development and well-being of their societies. In its most recent resolution, the General Assembly also emphasized that any doctrine of racial superiority is scientifically false, morally condemnable, socially unjust and dangerous and must be rejected, together with theories that attempt to determine the existence of separate human races. Cllr Tom Aditya added that the United Nations has been concerned with this issue since its foundation and the prohibition of racial discrimination is enshrined in all core international human rights instruments. It places obligations on states and tasks them with eradicating discrimination in the public and private spheres. The principle of equality also requires states to adopt special measures to eliminate conditions that cause or help to perpetuate racial discrimination.
Community Iftar
Cllr Tom Aditya reminded some of the BMFF programmes that are coming up in the next few months. BMFF will be supporting to host a Grand Multi-Faith Friendship Gathering, with music, dance and cultural programmes connecting Christians, Muslims and Hindus, together at the Trinity Academy Hall near Filton in April. There will be another Multi-Faith Friendship Gathering, connecting progressive Jews and liberal Muslims in May. On the 8th of May 2025, Thursday, at 10.45 am, we will be joining the Royal British Legion, the Common wealth Society, and the Punjabi Forum, at the Sikh Soldiers War memorial, in Castle Park, Bristol (BS1 3XD) to commemorate the Victory Day that end the 2nd World War and will be praying together for world peace and harmony. August is considered as the South Asian Heritage Month, and in order to jointly celebrate the Independence Day festivities of India and Pakistan and to spread the message of community cohesion, a Harmony Summit with a multi-cuisine buffet lunch and diverse cultural programmes, have been arranged on Sunday, 17th of August 2025 from 11 am to 4 pm. The UK Inter-Faith Week is in November and the Diverse Doors Open Day, organised by the BMFF which offers the opportunity to visit diverse places of worship and faith communities in a single day’s trail, will be happening on Sunday, the 9th of November 2025. All those who are interested can join in and be part of it.
Few of the snaps taken at the event
Mr Mohindra Singh ChowdhryMr Satish SunakCllr Mark RosherDr Anjali SoodanMr BassiCllr Tony GriffithsSong by Ms Alphons TheresSong by Dr MeenalDance 1 by Samyukta Dance 2 by SamyuktaFusion Dance 3Tripti Megeri Cllr James HackettMrs SarahMrs JainCllr Tom AdityaDiscussion 1Discussion 2Discussion 3Youth teamHarmony vibe continuesIftar food varietiesFruits trayIftar food varietiesBiriyani and Hot foodFood counter 1Food counter 2Cllr Tom Aditya’s concluding speech
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Archive: Event Information published on the 15th of February 2025
The Event Information flyer
Bristol Multi Faith Forum is organizing ‘the Faith and Harmony Festival’ on Saturday, 15th of March 2025 from 5 pm to 7 pm at Baileys Court Activity Centre (Baileys Court Road, Bradley Stoke, Bristol, BS32 8BH). This community event is organised on behalf of the South Gloucestershire Council with the support of the Southern Brooks Community Partnership, to promote inter-faith community cohesion and inter-cultural social harmony and to bring people from all walks of life together.
The programme includes inspiring talks, cultural entertainment, and ethnic food. Various dignitaries, civic officials, religious and community leaders, and artists are attending the event. The event will be commemorating diverse religious festivals of various religious communities of this season as well as our cultural diversity. We celebrate inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for all residents. This Harmony Festival is also held to commemorate the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination which is observed annually on 21 March since declared by the United Nations in 1966.
All South Gloucestershire residents interested in inter-faith community cohesion are invited to register in advance to get a free ticket to enjoy the harmony festival and the delicious hot dinner. Vegetarian and non-vegetarian cuisine options are available. Seats are limited. Last date of registration is the 12th of March. Please register your names with your dietary choice via email info@bristolmultifaithforum.org.uk and book your seats soon. Right of admission is reserved.
Look forward to hearing from you as soon as possible.
