In commemorating this year's Inter Faith Week, faith and community leaders in Luton were invited to a special meeting of Luton Council of Faiths with Luton North MP Sarah Owen on Thu 17th Nov at Shree Sanatan Sewa Samaj Hindu Mandir (Temple) Hall, Hereford Road, Lewsey Farm, Luton LU4 0PS.

Inter Faith Week is a programme of the Inter Faith Network for the UK. It is timed to begin each year on Remembrance Sunday to encourage remembering together of the services of those of different faiths and beliefs from the UK and the Commonwealth. Millions of Muslims, Sikh, Hindu, Asians, Blacks and many from Middle East had sacrificed their lives in the two World Wars. This is why it is important to acknowledge the tremendous contributions that people of different faiths and ethnicities have made in the making of Great Britain.

Prof Zafar Khan, Chair of Luton Council of Faiths said, “Inter Faith Week is indeed a time when the spotlight is on all the organisations like ours who work tirelessly for inter faith understanding and cooperation in Luton and across the UK. Our work to build connections between people of different faiths and beliefs is enormously important, and in the aftermath of COVID-19, finding new ways to make connections and renewing our friendships is vital.”

“Making new connections and friendships; and developing and strengthening patterns of cooperation for the common good is needed more than ever before as we tackle the devastating impact of the cost of living crisis, which is hitting us all far more than expected. Nearly 400 new refugees have also been moved into Luton, which also puts additional responsibility upon us, as to how we look after them while they are here in Luton.”

Luton North MP Sarah Owen is also the Shadow Minister for Faith and she is spearheading with Stephen Timms MP, the Labour Party's new work on Faith Champions.

https://labourlist.org/2022/09/starmer-launches-faith-champions-network-to-engage-faith-groups/

Sarah Owen said, “Other parts of the UK do not have as active inter faith engagement as in Luton, so one of my tasks is to shout about good things happening in Luton.”

“Tackling deprivation levels in one of the richest nations is unimaginable as faith communities are expected to give and do more & more.”

In the aftermath of Covid-19, it is often heard we are finally going back to normal, but she said, “Going back to normal isn’t good enough because normal wasn’t good for many people”

Faith leaders highlighted that it is not just politicians but we all are responsible to make our nation and our world a better place for all. Applauding this sentiment, MP Sarah responded “I came to politics to make a difference, to make a positive change. And I am determined to do as much as I can.”

Over 50 faith and community leaders, from diverse religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds, contributed to this special meeting with MP Sarah Owen. This meeting was convened by Luton Council of Faiths, with support from GRASSROOTS & Near Neighbours Programmes in Luton.

Luton's faith leaders meet with Sarah Owen, MP Luton North during Inter Faith Week 2022