The web site was last updated on 30 August 2010. Events may be added by members at any time.
Who we are
Kingston Inter Faith Forum comprises representatives of all those religious faith groups/communities in Kingston who wish to participate, together with other appropriate local organisations.
We serve as a channel of communication and understanding between the various faith groups, providing an opportunity for discussion of issues of mutual interest and/or concern.
Reminder to all faith communities and member organisations: Please provide regular information for our events calendar, news and from the press pages etc. This will help to keep the website lively and dynamic ...which might be helpful, as our website provider monitors the frequency of updates and withdraws the service from those community websites which are 'inactive'..which surely couldn't be us!
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Response to Surrey Comet Article on Ahmadiyya Muslims - Statement from the Forum Officers, 30 August 2010
This statement is being issued in response to a report in the 27 August 2010 edition of the Surrey Comet that inflammatory literature calling for the murder of Ahmadiyya Muslims is being distributed in the Kingston area.
We would like to draw attention to the fact that, for instance, Ahmadiyya Muslims have served as local councillors. Ahmadiyyas are part of the diverse fabric of the social, and economic life of our borough. Charities have benefited from their fund-raising activities. Moreover, many residents of our streets will already know that they, their Ahmadiyyan neighbours, are part of the enriching experience of our local friendships.
Prominent, local Ahmadiyyas have worked for several years, with great courtesy and humility, to explain the nature of the Ahmadiyya community to all who will listen – above all, seeking to demonstrate their own commitment, in their own words, to ‘Love for All, Hatred for None’.
Within RBK’s Inter Faith Forum representatives of Sunni, Shia and Ahmadiyya Muslim organisations work together in mutual respect with delegates of some dozen other religious communities including Jewish, Christian, Hindu, Sikh and Pagan ones for the betterment of our local community.
We dare to suggest that the example set at the Forum represents a more authentic expression of faiths, ancient and modern.
Revd Bruce Stuart, Chair, and Rashid Laher, Lally Malik and Rabbi Danny Rich, Vice Chairs of the Kingston Inter Faith Forum.
NB Further information concerning Ahmadiyya Muslims is available at www.alislam.org or from its London Regional Press Officer, Mr Mahmoud Rafiq 020 8687 7800.
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Heritage Open Days
Heritage Open Days 2010 will run from 9-12 September
Heritage Open Days celebrates England’s fantastic architecture and culture by offering free access to properties that are usually closed to the public or normally charge for admission
You can get details of all the Kingston locations at http://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/directory/laa/Kingston-upon-Thames/
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Faith and the Environment
‘Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.’ (Margaret Meades)
A free public seminar organised by Kingston Inter Faith Forum in partnership withTransition Town Kingston and the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames
Thursday 28 October Guildhall Council Chamber, Kingston KT1 1EU from 6pm-8.30pm refreshments provided
This event is open to all who reserve a place with Jean Cousens tel. 020 8547 5023 email: jean.cousens@rbk.kingston.gov.uk by 8 October
Speakers:
Dr Laurie Michaelis Co-ordinator of Living Witness: Quakers for Sustainability;
Dr Muzammal Hussain Founder of ‘Wisdom in Nature’
Chaired by the Leader of the Council, Councillor Derek Osbourne
You can read some of Laurie's ideas in the article Spirituality - the forgotten dimension
and some of Muzammal's ideas in the online booklet 'Islam and Climate Change - a Call to Heal' on the Wisdom in Nature website.
“ Could we together develop a way of life that embodies a spiritual response toclimate change and enables individuals, communities, and the natural world toflourish? ...Wellbeing is mostly about connection—to ourselves, to other people and to nature...Perhaps the greatest challenge posed by climate change is to develop the personal and collective will for a new way of life” (L Michaelis)
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What is Mitzvah Day?
Rabbi Rich mentioned it at the Inter Faith Forum meeting on 29 July. it takes places on 21 November this year and you can read all about it at http://www.mitzvahday.org.uk/all-about-us.html . The mission of Mitzvah Day is to reduce hardship and poverty, to help our environment and to bring a little joy all through volunteering – not by fundraising. It is a way for all of us to make our mark regardless of our affiliation, level of religious conviction, wealth, age, sex or nationality. Although this idea was started by the Jewish Community, the Hindu community has already joined in to promote the UK's biggest day of volunteering.
Around 20,000 volunteers are expected to support over 250 projects across the country on Mitzvah Day and the first Sewa Day on November 21. Lynne Featherstone, Mike Freer and Matthew Offord are among MPs who have pledged their volunteering services.
Another supporter is David Baddiel, who said: "It's fantastic to see the Jewish and Hindu communities coming together in this way. I congratulate the organisers of both Sewa and Mitzvah days for having the gumption to get up off the couch to make a real difference to ordinary people."
Planned activities include collections of food and household goods for the homeless and sprucing up schools and other community buildings.
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Mayoral Sunday 2010 - attended by representatives of different faiths in the Royal Borough
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Tony Lobl has sent the Forum a link to a blog article he has written in response to the recent tragic killing of Ahmadiyya Muslims in Pakistan.
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Holocaust Memorial Day 2010
See some photographs by selecting Photo Album and follow the HMD links.
Read the speech of our guest speaker, Kay Andrews by clicking on "Our Files" and then on Kay Andrews speech.
Read about one of our former speakers in our From the Press section: "Survivor's Story: Martin Bennett"
You can read the excellent addresses given at HMD 2009 by Philp Spencer and Rev Dr Malachie Munyaneza at the event in our News section. You can see pictures from the event by selecting "Photo Album" from the menu then HMD 2009 and you can read a report on the event in our News section. You call also read an interview with Edith Jayne about the event in our "From the Press" section.
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How do I get a "Places of Worship Booklet"?
You can view a dynamic version of our "Places of Worship in the Royal Borogh of Kingston upon Thames" booklet by clicking on the menu option from the list at the left of this page. You can also view and download a PDF version by clicking on "Our Files" from the menu list and clicking on the "Places of Worship ....." option.
If you would like to request one or more copies of the printed booklet for yourself or for your organisation then please select "Contact us" from the menu list and send your request (preferably by email) to the Clerk to the Forum.
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"From the Press", "Messages & Greetings" and "Photo Album pages
Don't forget to provide new information for these pages........
There is a menu option in the list on the left of this page to send messages and greetings. Click on this item to learn more. see Veronica's greetings card with photos of the year's KCIL events. Last new message added 25 January 2009
If you see anything in the press that you think would be of interest to the Inter Faith community, then email it to the WebMaster with a brief description and a link to the original item and it will be added to our page:"From the Press".
We have a photo album on our site. If you click on it you can see pictures from our HMD ceremonies in January 2008 and 2009, from the London Week of Peace candlelit vigil in September 2008 and from the sixth form conference inter faith dialogue conference in February 2007.
LATEST There are pictures from the InterFaith week InterFaith cafe in the Photo Album
