Inter-faith Visits with the Bishop of Bedford – 24 June 2026

Luton’s strong tradition of inter-faith friendships and cooperation was on full display on Wednesday 24 June, as The Right Reverend Richard Atkinson OBE, Bishop of Bedford, representing the C of E St Albans Diocese, visited places of worship across the town.

The Bishop was accompanied by The High Sheriff of Bedfordshire, Ismail Anilmis, The Deputy Lieutenants Alison Bradbury and Deborah Inskip, Director of St Mary’s Centre for Peace & Reconciliation Peter Adams, the Newland URC Minister Revd Naomi Young-Rodas, the Church of the Holy Cross Parish Priest, Fr Emmanuel Nazir SSC, and the Luton Council of Faiths Chair Prof Zafar Khan.

Organised by Grassroots Luton, the Luton Council of Faiths, and Near Neighbours Programme, the visit reflected an ongoing commitment to bringing together people of different faiths, cultures, and backgrounds to foster understanding, trust, and resilience in an increasingly hostile world.

The programme included visits to Luton Turkish Community Association & Mosque, Guru Nanak Gurdwara (Sikh Temple), Bury Park Jamia Mosque, and Luton Central Mosque.

At each place, the Bishop and the accompanying delegation, were warmly welcomed by host communities, offering opportunities to share our respective faith traditions, experiences, common aspirations, and build deeper and meaningful relationships.

“It was heartening to witness everyone’s shared commitment to community cohesion in Luton. Together, we reflected on shared values such as hospitality, service, peace, mutual respect, and compassion for all, while also acknowledging the important role faith communities play in supporting social cohesion”, stated the Newland URC Minister Revd Naomi Young-Rodas, who has just started her work in Luton.

In the light of Belfast rioting after Henry Nowak’s murder, and the Edinburgh attacks sparkng fears over rising anti-Muslim hostility In Britain, Bishop Richard’s messages of solidarity were reassuring for Luton’s Sikh & Muslim faith leaders. He expressed gratitude for the Sikh and Muslim communities’ contributions to Luton, and recognised their important role in strengthening community life locally, and beyond.

He said, ““It has been a privilege to spend time with Luton’s diverse faith communities, listening, learning, and witnessing the warmth of hospitality extended to us. Encounters like these remind us that, while we come from different traditions, we share a deep commitment to the flourishing of our communities.”

The Luton Council of Faiths Chair Prof Zafar Khan emphasised Luton’s unique strengths, and said, “Luton has a strong history of inter-faith cooperation. Today’s visits have reaffirmed our shared commitment to building trust, understanding, and a common vision for the good of all who live here.”

All host communities were delighted to welcome the Bishop and guests and said that opportunities like these help strengthen understanding and bring our communities closer together.

The discussions at all different places of worship highlighted appreciation for collaborative teamwork and ongoing support within the community, particularly in response to negative media narratives and rising divisions. There was a strong call to remain optimistic and resilient, and actively tell better stories about unity, cooperation, and community impact, rather than allowing harmful stereotypes to dominate.

Concerns were raised about fear and discrimination, especially among younger people and women, who may feel unsafe or judged when travelling or in unfamiliar areas. This reflects the wider impact of social tensions caused by misinformation. There was recognition that more needs to be done collectively to speak out positively and strengthen community cohesion.

There was an emphasis on the importance of understanding, particularly young people’s needs, and adapting approaches accordingly, especially in areas like sports, education, and community engagement programmes. There were concerns about over-reliance on devices among children and young people, and the need for more mindful engagement by parents and faith leaders. It is important to help young people understand their identity and navigate challenges such as discrimination and radicalisation.

Overall, there were overwhelming expressions of gratitude, encouragement to continue meeting and working together. It was stressed that the value of listening to communities, being responsive, and investing time to build meaningful connections and relationships should never be undermined.

Luton has long been recognised for its proactive approach to inter-faith engagement. Organisations such as Grassroots Luton, the Luton Council of Faiths and Near Neighbours Programme have helped nurture relationships over many years through dialogue, partnership projects, and shared civic initiatives.

This visit built on that foundation, demonstrating how connection and collaboration can overcome division and foster hope.

The Holy Cross Parish Priest, Fr Emmanuel Nazir SSC said, “At a time when people across the country are facing increasing economic pressures and polarisation, and scapegoating of immigrants and minoritised communities is becoming blatant, Luton continues to show that diversity can be a strength when underpinned by trust, respect, collaboration, and shared purpose.”

We remain committed to creating spaces and opportunities for people to meet, understand one another, and work together for the common good, stated Ryad Khodabocus and David Jonathan (Johny), who organised and coordinated these visits. Ryad added, “What stood out throughout the day was a simple truth: when people meet one another face-to-face, share stories, break bread together and listen with open hearts, barriers are replaced by understanding and strangers become neighbours.”

Bishop’s Visits Strengthen Luton Inter-faith Partnerships