|
The agency of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Westminster for Interreligious Dialogue |
| Home | Events | Newsletter | About WIF | The Team | Resources |
Westminster Interfaith Newsletter
Issue 66 – May 2010
Proposal for Inter Faith Walks in 2012
South London Inter Faith Group plans to work with other organisations across London to arrange a coordinated inter faith walk event in 2012 at the time of the Olympics and Paralympics.
The event will consist of as many as possible local inter faith walks across the whole of London during the weekend 14 and 15 July 2012. Local groups might choose the Saturday or the Sunday, or both, depending on local factors.
The aim is to use this time when the global spotlight is on London to celebrate the multi-faith character of London and to demonstrate the inter faith collaboration that is taking place.
To maximize the benefits of this project, it is hoped to establish links with Faiths Forum for London, London Boroughs Faiths Network, LOCOG, the Cultural Olympiad, the Mayor of London's office and other relevant bodies, as well as with local inter faith organisations throughout London.
South London Inter Faith Group has organised an inter faith walk in different parts of South London every year since 1997. The 2012 event was discussed at SLIFG's annual meeting for representatives of local inter faith organisations across South London on 4 October 2009. Sarah Thorley, who has been the lead organiser for all 13 South London walks, set out the vision for 2012 and provided detailed guidelines on how such walks are organised.
The 2012 Olympics will be Friday 27 July – Sunday 12 August. The Paralympics will be 29 August – 9 September. Ramadan will begin around 20 July. A coordinated London-wide inter faith walk event should be before the Olympics and Paralympics and as close to the Olympics as seems wise. The weekend of Saturday 21 July and Sunday 22 July would be the closest weekend before the Olympics but, because of Ramadan, 14 and 15 July seems a better choice.
Alan Gadd, Secretary, SLIFG
