Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Belief In Bridging Divides Will Build A Strong Society

by Lord Bourne

FOR many people across the country, religion remains the most important and influential part of their lives. Whether Muslim, Hindu or Sikh, Christian, Jewish or Jain, faith shapes the beliefs and principles of many and guides their sense of compassion.


The role of religion extends beyond the individual level too. Faith groups and their places of worship provide valuable spaces for people of all faiths and none to come together, enabling a strong sense of community and belonging.

Such environments form the very fabric of our society, as faith-based organisations provide refuge and support to communities.

Focusing on this message, last week I launched my third national faith tour to shine a spotlight on the central role faith organisations play in building strong, resilient communities. Titled Belief in Communities: Bridging Divides and Strengthening Communities, the tour kicked off last Tuesday (4) at the Highway of Holiness church in Tottenham -  a community-oriented evangelical Pentecostal church working to support the most vulnerable in our society.

This will be followed by frequent flagship visits across the country to engage directly with faith communities. I will meet volunteers and faith leaders to understand the key success factors that could be applied elsewhere.

My driving ambition is to promote the ‘Power of the Place’. Indeed, large or small, faith communities are often at the heart of a local area – the glue that binds our society together.

Across the length and breadth of this country, faith institutions form community hubs and support centres, as well as places of worships. The Highway of Holiness church is a superb example of this – providing support to its community with a homeless shelter for those most in need.

But there are many more fantastic examples of how places of worship and faith-based organisations respond to local needs.

Over the coming months, I will aim to learn from their inspiring work. This tour follows the launch last month of the Belief in Communities: Bridging the divide report, which chronicles my visits to 55 places of worship across 15 towns and cities throughout 2017-2018 to better understand their role in bringing people of different faiths and backgrounds together.

From Holy Island in Northumberland to Canvey Island in Essex, I witnessed the work many religious institutions do alongside other faith groups from their communities to support the most vulnerable, help make their areas safer and cleaner, and tackle social issue such as loneliness.

Unsurprisingly, this experience has formed the inspiration for my latest venture. But other important lessons were also learnt. Indeed, many of the religious communities and groups I met had established hugely impressive interfaith networks, where religious groups come together to bridge divides and raise awareness.

Reflecting on this success, I urge people and faith groups across the country to reach out to one another and build local networks to support their communities, bridge divides and extend understanding.

As we enter the festive period and 2018 draws to a close, there is no better time to celebrate faith groups around the country who are making a profound impact on their communities, and to encourage people of all faiths to support and lead inter faith activity in their area.

I truly believe that we all intuitively understand the value of faith in our society. But perhaps too often we do not celebrate or recognise it. Over the coming months, my job will be to challenge this and to remind us all of the vital role our faith communities play.

(Lord Bourne is parliamentary under-secretary of state for housing, communities and local government).

More For You

World Curry Festival 2025

The discovery coincides with Bradford’s City of Culture celebrations

World Curry Festival

Bradford’s first curry house traced back to 1942 ahead of World Curry Festival

Highlights:

  • Research for the World Curry Festival uncovered evidence of a curry house in Bradford in 1942.
  • Cafe Nasim, later called The Bengal Restaurant, is thought to be the city’s first.
  • The discovery coincides with Bradford’s City of Culture celebrations.
  • Festival events will include theatre, lectures, and a street food market.

Historic discovery in Bradford’s food heritage

Bradford’s claim as the curry capital of Britain has gained new historical depth. Organisers of the World Curry Festival have uncovered evidence that the city’s first curry house opened in 1942.

Documents revealed that Cafe Nasim, later renamed The Bengal Restaurant, once stood on the site of the current Kashmir Restaurant on Morley Street. Researcher David Pendleton identified an advert for the cafe in the Yorkshire Observer dated December 1942, describing it as “Bradford’s First Indian Restaurant”.

Keep ReadingShow less
Robert Redford death

Robert Redford dies at 89 leaving behind a Hollywood and Sundance legacy

Getty Images

Robert Redford dies at 89 as tributes hail his fight for cinema freedom and environmental justice

Highlights

  • Robert Redford, Oscar-winning actor and director, dies at age 89 in Utah
  • Starred in classics including Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and All the President’s Men
  • Founded the Sundance Institute, transforming the landscape of independent cinema
  • Advocated for environmental causes and used his fame to highlight pressing global issues

Robert Redford dies at 89, leaving behind a legacy that bridged blockbuster Hollywood hits and groundbreaking independent cinema. Best known for Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and All the President’s Men, Redford was not only a matinée idol but also an Academy Award-winning director and the driving force behind the Sundance Film Festival, which changed the trajectory of global filmmaking.

Robert Redford death Robert Redford dies at 89 leaving behind a Hollywood and Sundance legacy Getty Images

Keep ReadingShow less
UK–Africa business summit 2025

UK–Africa business summit 2025

UK–Africa business summit 2025 highlights trade, technology and resilient partnerships

Highlights:

  • Dr Sudhir Ruparelia emphasised Uganda’s growing real estate, agriculture and tourism sectors.
  • Lord Dolar Popat called for closer Commonwealth ties between Africa, the UK and India.
  • Uganda’s ministers outlined regional integration, investment climate and agricultural transformation.
  • Spiritual leader Sant Trilochan Darshan Das Ji urged ethical entrepreneurship rooted in integrity.

The 15th edition of the UK–Africa Business Summit took place on Friday, 12 September at The Royal Horseguards Hotel & One Whitehall Place, bringing together senior government leaders, entrepreneurs, investors and diaspora stakeholders to strengthen trade and investment ties between the UK and African nations.

Keep ReadingShow less
11th UK Gatka Championship

All winners received medals and trophies

UK Parliament

11th UK Gatka Championship ends with Welsh debut and £1,000 support for Gatka Akharas

Highlights:

  • The 11th UK National Gatka Championship was hosted near Cardiff, marking the first time in Wales.
  • Winners included Roop Kaur (girls), Navjot Singh (boys), and Gurdeep Singh (men’s).
  • Gatka Federation UK awarded £1,000 to each participating Akhara to support martial arts promotion.
  • Chief guests included MP Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi and Harjeet Singh Grewal, President of the World Gatka Federation.

Gatka Championship marks Welsh debut

The 11th UK National Gatka Championship concluded on a high note near Cardiff, Wales, showcasing the traditional Sikh martial art with flair. Seven leading Gatka Akharas participated, thrilling spectators with their lightning-fast strikes, precision moves and elegant techniques.

Inauguration by global leaders

The tournament was inaugurated by Harjeet Singh Grewal, President of the World Gatka Federation (WGF) and the National Gatka Association of India (NGAI). He was joined by Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi MP, President of Gatka Federation UK, alongside other dignitaries including Jagbir Singh Jagga Chakar, President of Wales Kabaddi Club, and community leaders from the Haveli Hotel Pontyclun.

Keep ReadingShow less
Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari

‘Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari’ trailer sparks festive wedding chaos with Varun Dhawan and Janhvi Kapoor

Instagram/dharmamovies

‘Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari’ trailer brings love and laughter to Dussehra audiences

Highlights:

  • The Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari trailer is out, offering a festive family entertainer.
  • Features a star-studded cast including Varun Dhawan, Janhvi Kapoor, and Sanya Malhotra.
  • Set against a vibrant Indian wedding backdrop with romance, comedy, and music.
  • Directed by Shashank Khaitan and produced by Dharma Productions and Mentor Disciple Entertainment.

The Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari trailer has finally landed, giving audiences a glimpse of what promises to be one of 2025’s most joyous family films. Bursting with romance, humour, and festive charm, the trailer sets the tone for a big fat Indian wedding story, rooted in togetherness and celebration, a hallmark of Dharma Productions’ signature family entertainers.

‘Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari’ trailer sparks festive wedding chaos with Varun Dhawan and Janhvi Kapoor Instagram/dharmamovies

Keep ReadingShow less