Author: xtreamlab

Indian High Commission’s Consular Camp in Bristol, organised by Mayor Tom Aditya, was a grand success

Bristol, 8 February 2020:
The Indian High Commission’s (HCI) Consular Camp, held on Saturday, 8th February 2020 at Jubilee Centre, Bradley Stoke, Bristol, was a resounding success. The event was organised by Mayor Tom Aditya as part of the Bristol Multi-Faith Forum’s (BMFF) Community Cohesion Campaign, in collaboration with the Indian High Commission (IHC), London and the Indian Community of the West of England (ICWE).

Hundreds of members of the Indian community and the wider public attended the day-long camp, which offered a wide range of consular services, including Indian visas, passports, Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) applications, and other essential assistance. The initiative also served as a valuable platform to promote community cohesion and social harmony among diverse groups across the West of England.

The Bristol Consular Camp, provided free of charge to applicants as part of BMFF’s community initiative, successfully processed 435 applications and addressed an additional 125 queries. A dedicated team of 15 officers, led by HCI Counsellor Mr Anil Nautiyal, worked extended hours to assist all those in attendance. Attendees widely praised the professionalism and friendliness of the HCI officers, with many remarking that the services at Bristol were more efficient and welcoming than visiting the High Commission in London.

BMFF expressed heartfelt thanks to the entire HCI team for their exceptional service and to the many volunteers who helped coordinate the event. Special appreciation goes to Advocate Tripti Megeri (BMFF Secretary), Mr Abishek Aditya, Mr Noychen Augustine, Mr Jayantibhai Rajguru, and Cllr Franklin for their generous support. Refreshments and secretarial assistance were kindly provided by BMFF volunteers.

The Indian diaspora, which represents less than 2% of the Greater Bristol area’s one million residents, is a vibrant and diverse community of around 20,000 people, speaking languages including Punjabi, Malayalam, Gujarati, Hindi, Tamil, Bengali, Telugu, Kannada, and Marathi. The camp reflected the unity and strength of this multicultural community, bringing together individuals from various faiths and cultural backgrounds.

BMFF extends its sincere gratitude to the Indian Community of the West of England (ICWE), Bristol Hindu Temple, Sikh Gurudwaras, Indian Christian Churches, Indian Muslim Community, Jain Community, Buddhist Community, and all other community groups for their invaluable support. BMFF also thanks media partners and friends who helped promote the event through various channels.

 

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🌿 Question Time on Organ Donation and Transplantation in Islam

A Bristol Multi-Faith Forum Community Event

Today, Sunday, 7th July 2019, the Bristol Multi-Faith Forum (BMFF) hosted an inspiring and timely community event at Greenbank Mosque, Bristol — “Question Time on Organ Donation and Transplantation in Islam.” The session brought together faith leaders, healthcare experts, and community members to explore the subject of organ donation through the lens of Islamic ethics, compassion, and community responsibility.

Exploring Faith, Health, and Compassion

The discussion centred around the recently updated Fatwa (religious edict) on Organ Donation and Transplantation in Islam — a key milestone helping Muslim communities make informed decisions aligned with their faith.

The event was chaired by Mayor Tom Aditya, Chairman of the Bristol Multi-Faith Forum, who welcomed everyone and led the proceedings with warmth and inclusivity. The Question Time featured an esteemed panel of distinguished speakers:

• Shaykh Dr Mohammad Mansur Ali, Lecturer in Islamic Studies at Cardiff University, shared insights from his in-depth academic study of over 100 fatwas on organ donation, offering an overview of Islamic thought on this complex issue.

• Dr Majid Mukadam, Transplant and Organ Retrieval Surgeon at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, gave a fascinating look into the medical realities of transplantation, emphasising the importance of organ donation in saving lives.

• Ms Angela Ditchfield, Diversity Lead on Organ Donation at NHS Blood and Transplant, spoke passionately about the need for greater engagement with diverse communities to improve understanding and participation.

The session was expertly guided by Mr Amjid Ali, NHS Blood and Transplant Project Lead on Organ Transplantation in Islam, who encouraged audience participation and ensured a lively, inclusive discussion.

Faith in Action and Partnership

This event reflected the power of collaboration between faith and healthcare organisations. It was arranged by the Bristol Multi-Faith Forum in partnership with the Bristol Council of Mosques, the Bristol Muslim Cultural Society, the UK Islamic Mission and the local Mosques and community groups across Bristol under the stewardship of Mr Abdul Tariq. These partnerships helped ensure a diverse turnout and a rich exchange of ideas within a supportive environment.

A Conversation that Matters

The Question Time formed part of a wider series of community workshops organised by BMFF under the NHS Blood and Transplant Community Investment Scheme. These events aim to promote greater understanding of organ donation, challenge misconceptions, and encourage open dialogue within faith-based communities.

Participants were encouraged to share what they learned and to continue the conversation within their own circles — helping to spread awareness, compassion, and informed choice.

Looking Ahead

The session concluded with optimism and gratitude, as attendees reflected on the importance of dialogue in bridging the gap between faith and modern healthcare. It was a meaningful step forward for community awareness and collaboration.

The Bristol Multi-Faith Forum extends heartfelt thanks to all our speakers, partners, volunteers and attendees for their contributions to this important discussion.