Over the last six months, we’ve been pleased to support a growing programme of interfaith and belief activities across Somerset through our Race, Interfaith and Belief (RIB) programme. Working alongside the Somerset Interfaith and Belief Network (SIBN), we’ve helped create opportunities for people from different faiths, beliefs and backgrounds to connect, learn from one another and build stronger relationships.
Since the relaunch of SIBN, we’ve supported a range of activities across the county, including the open day at Taunton Central Mosque and Islamic Centre, a county-wide networking event at Taunton Buddhist Sangha House, Holocaust Memorial Day commemorations, and a visit to Plymouth Synagogue, the oldest continuously operating Ashkenazi synagogue in Europe. We also joined members of the local Muslim community for an open iftar at Yeovil Islamic Centre during Ramadan, sharing food, conversation and hospitality.
More recently, we attended Yeovil Together, celebrating the diversity of local communities and engaging with residents from across the region.
We also facilitated an Interfaith and Belief Network panel discussion at Taunton Minster on “Migration, Exile and What Does It Mean to Welcome Strangers?” Representatives from Hindu, Buddhist, Jewish, Christian, Muslim and Quaker traditions shared insights from their faiths while highlighting the common values of compassion, hospitality and care for others. The discussion offered a valuable opportunity for attendees to hear different perspectives, engage in respectful dialogue and explore how interfaith conversations can help create stronger and more connected communities. It also reflected our commitment to broadening this work and engaging with an even wider range of belief communities across Somerset.
Looking back on the past six months, we’re encouraged by the growing interest in interfaith and belief engagement across the county. Each event has helped strengthen connections, create new partnerships and foster greater understanding between communities. We look forward to continuing this work and supporting more opportunities for people to come together in the months ahead.
To find out more about the Somerset Interfaith and Belief Network, contact hafedh@somersetrcc.org.uk.