Residents may be aware that I have been engaging with local leaders and members of faith communities across Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner. It is clear from these conversations that many would welcome the opportunity to foster greater links between the different faith networks. This is especially important in the context of heightened global tension and volatility, which worryingly appears to be seeping into our communities here in the UK. In addition to a reported rise in racial and religious discrimination and an increased sense of polarisation, we tragically saw this intensify at the Heaton Park terror attack in Manchester. Concerns have since deepened locally following the series of attacks in North West London, demonstrating this hatred and violence is moving closer and closer to home.
To help facilitate this engagement, I wrote to all faith leaders across the constituency and invited them to a meeting, where they would have the opportunity to see some new faces and get to know one another. This was kindly hosted by Rev. Martin Davies at St Mary's Church Hall in Harefield and took place this morning. It was a pleasure to welcome faith leaders and representatives from The Ark Synagogue (Northwood), Ruislip Baptist Church, Pinner Baptist Church (Hatch End), Churches Together Eastcote, Harrow Quakers, Pinner Shul, Harefield Baptist Church, Sacred Heart Church (Ruislip) and St Martin’s Church (Ruislip) to that meeting.
We had a useful discussion about the concerns and priorities within different communities, as well as the crucial matter of building greater interfaith relationships. Ideas were shared about how to harness existing - but somewhat underutilised - faith networks in both Harrow and Hillingdon to help support further meetings, actions and engagement.
Furthermore, a pertinent point was raised - inspired by the quote 'you can't hate someone whose story you know' - that communication was the most effective way to dispel the antipathy that the 'unknown' breeds. As such, the group also explored how to expand the network established this morning to those who did not have any representation at the meeting as a way of tackling this.
I hope the meeting was a useful starting point to foster greater engagement, and I am grateful to all for their time.
