The Anglican Bishop of Birmingham, whose diocese contains a high proportion of ethnic and religious minorities, has issued a plea for tolerance between local faith communities.
Bishop David Urquhart was speaking at a conference that was called in the wake of last year’s Trojan Horse scandal, in which it was found that radical Islamists were trying to impose hardline views in schools in Birmingham.
The bishop paid tribute to Birmingham’s long history of tolerance and called for greater dialogue between religions and communities. He said yesterday: “The cohesion of this city is built on years of interfaith communication and dialogue, joint practical action and friendships between people of different faiths that have built resilient communities and a strong core of shared values.”
Some 36 per cent of Birmingham residents are black or Asian and 20 per cent are Muslim, according to the 2011 census.
The government-organised Integration Roadshow at Birmingham City University examined the role of faith in schools, the rise of Islamophobia and the relationship between the police and faith communities.
The bishop told delegates: “We need to renew our commitment to oppose and eradicate anti-Semitism, Islamophobia and all forms of religious and racial oppression. I remain committed to playing my part in building trusting relationships and joint working across the city so that no person or group is excluded and we can all flourish together.”
The roadshow was attended by Communities Minister Lord Ahmad, and Imran Awan, Senior Lecturer in Criminology and counter-terrorism expert at Birmingham City University. It was one of a series held nationally by the Department for Communities and Local Government for community and faith leaders, university students, academics and members of local police forces.
Bishop Urquhart added: “Initiatives like the Integration Roadshow give an opportunity to demonstrate Birmingham's generous solidarity with those of all faiths.”
The Catholic Archbishop of Birmingham, Bernard Longley, said: "Our city has a strong track record in integration. Faith communities have long been working and witnessing together to fight poverty, offer prayerful petitions for peace and provide practical support and assistance to men and women in great need.
"One example of this collective working is the Birmingham Faith Leaders Group, born as a response to 9/11 and bringing together leaders from the Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist, Hindu and Sikh faiths.”
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