Conference: Building a better integrated and resilient society

“Building a better integrated and resilient society”

Date: Thursday 8th September 2011

Time: 9:30am – 4:00pm

Location: Al-Khoei Foundation, Chevening Road, London NW6 6TN

Recently we have witnessed the terrorist attacks in Norway and in the UK we a wave of civil unrest gripped the country. The images of hundreds of youths looting shops, setting businesses ablaze and clashing with police in dozens of neighbourhoods up and down the country has deeply shocked society.

A lot has been said about the causes. It is clear that there are deep-rooted reasons such as an increase in the breakdown of families, socio-economic problems resulting in exclusion and a widening of the rich-poor divide.

In order to achieve progress and build better cohesion within society and prevent such scenes of violence and destruction, we need to openly examine pragmatic and sustainable solutions within our local communities. Faith communities who make a massive contribution to life in this country can contribute to the solution through their work with grass-roots communities. People from different faiths work hard in mosques, churches, temples, gurdwaras and synagogues, in addition to charities and community centres, to address issues affecting their local communities. Places of worship have extensive physical space, experience, and volunteers, giving them the “reach” that can put them at the very heart of service delivery to people in need.

Ten years since the tragedy of 9/11, our communities are growing stronger and more resilient. Communities have come together to find common ground and resolve differences. This unique conference is examining ways to build outcome focused working relationships between people of different faiths. It is about people from different backgrounds coming together: not just exchanging views (though that is important) but practically working together for the common good. For example, tackling shared social problems like supporting our young, taking care of our elderly, improving our green spaces and challenging extremism.  Within many localities, however, some places of worship still operate in isolation and are often unaware of the work and experiences of their neighbours, missing out on important opportunities to network and work together.

At this exclusive conference, the MINAB will be launching the “Mosques in Communities” report. This report is intended to give mosques and mosque leaders practical tips on realizing the benefits of engaging with public authorities, community groups and local residents, irrespective of their backgrounds and to encourage open days to maximise their contributions in their localities.

Collaborative, practical action is not about compromising individual beliefs, but it is about respect for the other and the will to continue for a better society.

The report is a contribution to the wider goal of positioning faith institutions as indispensible hubs of support for community leaders; as developers of social capital; and as creators of vibrant community spaces that are open to all.

The conference will be chaired by Judge Khurshid Drabu CBE.

Speakers include:

• Rt. Hon. Hazel Blears MP, former Secretary of State for the Department for Communities & Local Government, Chair of the Labour Social Action Forum
• Maulana Shahid Raza OBE, Chairman of the MINAB
• Fiyaz Mughal, Founder & Director of Faith Matters
• Shaukat Warraich, CEO, Faith Associates
• Cllr Muhammed Butt, Deputy Leader, Brent Council
• Mr Brij Mohan Gupta, President of Hindu Temples, UK & Europe
• Julian Bond, Director, Christian Muslim Forum
• Ifath Nawaz, Director, Muslimah
• Ruth Townsley, Development Manager, Locality
• Shaun Bailey, CE of MY Generation,
• Hafiz Zaheer Shabir, Chair, Building Bridges Bristol
• Yusuf Hansa, Chair, Noor Ul Islam Trust

The following workshops will be convened:

• Mosques in communities – Emerging findings and practical steps
  • Fiyaz Mughal, Founder & Director of Faith Matters.
  • Faith Matters led on the development of the Mosques in communities’ report, which gives recommendations and practical steps for Mosques leaders to improve relationships and interaction in localities.
• Becoming an effective community hub: outreach with integrity: 
  • Ruth Townsley, Development Manager, Locality
  • This workshop will outline the key characteristics of effective and inclusive community engagement and outreach.  It will also offer guidelines for how to become a valued and engaged community resource.  The workshop will also provide a resource pack for participants to take away to support their work.
• Strengthening neighbourhood relations and interactions
  • Julian Bond, Director, Christian Muslim Forum:
  • Christian Muslim Forum has pioneered excellent programmes to increase social interaction and action amongst faith leaders. Bringing congregations in Churches and Mosques closer as part of its work, the Forum helps people from different faiths get to know and understand each other and to improve their local neighbourhoods.

Details of the conference:

Date - Thursday 8th September 2011

Time - 9.30am - 4.15pm

Venue - Al Khoei Foundation
Chevening Road
London
NW6 6TN

To register or request further information please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it