On Saturday 20th May/23, Luton’s All Saints Church hosted a Training Day for a group of Church of England (C of E) ‘Readers’ from different parts of St Albans Diocese.
C of E ‘Reader’ is a Licensed Lay Minister (LLM) position authorised by the Bishop to assist Vicars in leading worship services and in carrying out other pastoral duties.
The training day was to enable Readers-in-training to see how Christians can and must play a part in engaging positively with different faiths.
As a host, Diocesan Inter Faith Advisor and Vicar of All Saints Parish Church Revd Canon David Kesterton remarked, "Engagement with different faiths can help us understand better, not just different faiths, but also our own faith and belief."
While speaking about his experiences of working with Muslim neighbours, he explained how Muslims are sometimes grouped together while in reality they are just as diverse as Christians and other major world religions. He shared how Muslim neighbours appreciate the Church's presence in the neighbourhood and Christians believe it is necessary to work together for the common good.
The group visited Medina Masjid (Oak Rd Mosque), where Maqsood Anwar discussed a variety of community initiatives carried out by the Mosque and answered inquiries regarding the practice of Muslim faith.
Maqsood thanked all for visiting the Mosque and said, only 10% of Britain’s population is said to have entered into a Mosque. “The biggest battle we face is ignorance, which fuels Islamophobia”, he added.
In 2018 a YouGov poll had found that 70% of Britons have never visited a place of worship other than their own. This must change because just as we visit our friends and neighbours in their homes, and host them in our homes, communities visiting and hosting each other helps break down barriers and builds bridges of trust and understanding.
“We must interact with people of all religions and none, without disparaging one other”, said Rev. Tony Rindl, the vicar of Watford's St. Mary's Church and one of the two Diocesan Inter Faith Advisors.
“A culture of dialogue and mutual cooperation must be developed over time. That is what matters most”, he said, “so we must be kind and patient as we learn and grow to love one another.”
Church of England (C of E) ‘Readers’ from St Albans Diocese visited Madinah Masjid (Oak Road Mosque) in Luton, as part of their Training Day hosted by Revd Canon David Kesterton of All Saints Church, Luton
Rev. Tony Rindl (L), the vicar of Watford's St. Mary's Church and one of the two Diocesan Inter Faith Advisors in conversation with Imam Shahid Ahmed
Imam Shahid Ahmed in conversation with one of the Church of England (C of E) ‘Readers’ from St Albans Diocese visiting Madinah Masjid (Oak Road Mosque) in Luton
Diocesan Inter Faith Advisor and Vicar of All Saints Parish Church Revd Canon David Kesterton in conversation with Zaheer Abbas of Madinah Masjid (Oak Road Mosque) in Luton