Author: Tom Aditya

Mayor Emeritus, Councillor Tom Aditya is an elected civic representative, a member of the UK Police Scrutiny Panel, a social justice advocate, and a management consultant in the United Kingdom. He is the first person of Indian origin to be elected Mayor in South West England, the first person of South-Indian origin outside the London metro region elected Councillor in the UK and the first South Indian elected in the UK on the Conservative party ticket, and the first person of Asian and Indian heritage to be elected to a civic office in South Gloucestershire county. Since 2007, he has been part of the South Glos Council's Equalities Panel. He has also been serving as the Chairman of the ‘Bristol Multi-Faith Forum’, which is the Bristol City Council’s initiative for social harmony and community well-being. Besides that, Cllr Tom is the Chair of the South Glos Council's Community Engagement Forums Chairs Network, as well as a Member of the Bristol University Court, and the Police Strategic Advisory Panel, which covers Greater Bristol and West of England counties. In his civic roles, Tom Aditya served as Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Council Spokesperson, Chairman of the Finance Committee, Planning and Environment Committee, Staffing Committee, Leisure, Youth & Amenities Committee, International Twinnings Committee, etc. Tom also acts as a speaker, policymaker, and entrepreneur.

Fun based Science Virtual Workshop 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 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.

With warm regards,

Cllr Tom Aditya, Chairman

Adv. Tripti Megeri, Secretary

Bristol Multi-Faith Forum

Email: info@bristolmultifaithforum.org.uk

https://bristolmultifaithforum.org.uk.

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.

During the workshop:

Please ensure that the participant can be seen clearly on screen. Please don’t switch off your webcam.
Please make sure that there are no noise distractions in the background. If there are any noise distractions, please mute your speaker.
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.

Definitely, it’s fun and it’s science. Let’s enjoy

Bristol Multi Faith Forum has been celebrating the Science Week and has been hosting Fun based Science Workshops since 2018. Bristol Multi-Faith Forum 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/).

The popular ‘Fun Science team’ will be delivering this year’s virtual workshop through Google Meet online platform. Fun Science team specialises in providing science-themed parties and workshops to children across the UK. This virtual science workshop will be an informative and entertaining experience for kids.

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.

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. Stimulated curiosity: 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: 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.

Develops critical thinking skills: Participants learn to analyze data, draw conclusions, and approach scientific problems critically through experimentation.

Encourages curiosity and inquiry: The interactive nature of workshops sparks interest and encourages questions about the world around them.

Improves practical skills: Hands-on activities allow participants to practice scientific techniques and procedures.

Promotes collaboration and teamwork: Working together on experiments helps develop communication and collaboration skills.

Builds confidence: Successfully completing experiments and understanding scientific concepts can boost self-esteem.

Connects science to real-world applications: Workshops can incorporate relevant real-world scenarios to demonstrate the practical uses of science.

Stimulates creativity: Exploring different approaches to solve problems within experiments encourages creative thinking.

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.

Bristol Multi-Faith Forum’s Interfaith Calendar 2025

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.

Faith and Harmony Festival 2025

An Inter-faith, inter-cultural event to promote social harmony and community cohesion.

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. We will be commemorating diverse religious festivals of various religious communities during this season such as the Lent, Ramadan, Holi, Bahai Nav-Ruz, Eid, Vaishaki, Passover and Easter jointly at this gathering, as well as we will be celebrating our cultural diversity. We celebrate inclusiveness, 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. 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. The Harmony Festival organised under the auspices of the Bristol Multi-Faith Forum promotes social communication, meaningful conversations, the freedom of ideas and encouragement of mutual respect. All residents are invited to enjoy the Harmony Festival and the ethnic food we prepared beforehand for the event. Please register in advance to get a free ticket. Last date of registration is the 12th of March.

Vegetarian and non-vegetarian cuisine options are available. We would be grateful if you could please register your names with your dietary choice via email info@bristolmultifaithforum.org.uk, at least by the 12th of March 2025. Please book your seats soon . Right of admission is reserved.

Look forward to hearing from you as soon as possible.

Kind regards

Cllr Tom Aditya (Chairman),

Tripti Megeri (Secretary)

Bristol Multi-Faith Forum, 43 Ducie Road, Barton Hill, Bristol, BS5 0AX
Email: info@bristolmultifaithforum.org.uk
www.bristolmultifaithforum.org.uk

Principle of equality

The United Nations General Assembly 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.

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.