A SPECIAL dinner was held by the Huddersfield Interfaith Council (HIC) to celebrate the week of events during the national interfaith week. Dignitaries included the Mayor of Kirklees Cllr Eric Firth and Barry Sheerman MP for Huddersfield.
Hosted by Chair of HIC Kiran Bali MBE, the evening included representatives from the Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Christian, Jewish, Baha, Buddhist and Quaker faiths and the attendees were entertained with dances, songs, recitals and speeches.
The dinner was held at the Sikh Leisure Centre in Huddersfield and in his speech Cllr Firth said: “These events have given us all the opportunity to learn about different faiths and beliefs of the people who live and work in Kirklees, these events celebrate the contribution of faith based activities and projects and the difference it makes to all our life’s”
The week began with the AGM of the Kirklees Faith Forum at the Dewsbury Town Hall where 150 people gathered at an evening of interfaith celebration to launch this year’s Interfaith Week in Kirklees. Khalida Ashrafi, from the Equality and Human Rights Commission, addressed the audience about her experiences working with faith communities and other groups, commenting that ‘there is more that binds us than divides us and inspiring those present to gather our energies together.’
Bishop Tony Robinson, chair of Kirklees Faiths Forum, said: ‘Our third Annual General Meeting was a great success. People from so many organisations and individuals came together to celebrate the work of the Forum over the past year. “The Big Society” which the Prime Minster David Cameron has often talked about is being proclaimed here in Kirklees through the work of the Faith Communities.’
Hannah Taylor from Kirklees Faiths Forum said: “The week has certainly demonstrated the rich diversity the faith communities contribute to life in Kirklees. We had so many colourful, fun and exciting activities going on throughout the week, which many people from all faiths and none came and enjoyed immensely. Ultimately, I believe, this open dialogue and interfaith cooperation is key to a safer, healthier and happier Kirklees for us all.”
Attendees at the dinner not only enjoyed the contributions from each faith but also joined in. Particularly in the traditional dancing from the Hindu community, which saw Cllr Firth and Mr Sheerman enjoy a relaxed and informal evening with representatives of the community.
Speaking to Awaaz about the success of the evening Cllr Firth said: “It’s nice to see people from different faiths all eating, sitting, talking together. I wish all society was like this, the world would be a better place.”
