Religious leaders from across the UK and the UK Government are urging people of all faiths and beliefs to come together and celebrate Inter Faith Week 2025, launching with the theme of “Community: Together We Serve”. The campaign, which runs from November 9th to 16th, aims to showcase the UK’s strength in diversity and promote unity in the wake of recent hate crimes targeting religious institutions.
Hundreds of faith communities across the country are expected to participate in Inter Faith Week, joining forces to celebrate diversity, learn from one another, and build lasting relationships. In light of rising hate crimes, many communities have chosen to reject attempts to divide people based on faith, race, or culture by opening their doors and collaborating with other faith groups.
Religious leaders and the UK Government are urging members of the public, regardless of their faith or beliefs, to attend an event in their area and take this unique opportunity to connect with their neighbors, especially those they may not typically interact with. With numerous communities participating, the organizers stress that there is something for everyone and it is not too late for groups to organize and advertise their own activities.
The majority of planned events are collaborations between faith groups and grassroots activists, with others being led by schools, local authorities, and universities. Several prominent UK landmarks, such as Clifford’s Tower in York, Leicester Cathedral, and Chester Cathedral, will be hosting events. Overall, organizers anticipate hundreds of events to take place across the country.
This campaign comes as official hate crime statistics for England and Wales reported a record-breaking high in religiously motivated hate crimes. Police data shows that both Jewish and Muslim communities have been disproportionately affected. The organizers of Inter Faith Week hope that this year’s events will serve as a visible and much-needed refutation of extremism and baseless prejudice.
The campaign officially begins on Remembrance Sunday, chosen to remind people of the consequences of losing sight of our common humanity and to honor the contributions of all individuals in the struggle for a safer and more peaceful world. The organizers strongly encourage supporters to participate in both Remembrance Sunday and an Inter Faith Week event.
A formal pre-campaign launch event was held in central London on November 6th, featuring artistic performances, speeches by government ministers, and showcases of successful interfaith initiatives from across the UK. The event also included an exhibition of religious items, food, and calligraphy from communities around the country.
A spokesperson for Inter Faith Week stated, “At a time when religious and racially motivated hate is on the rise, it is more important than ever for faith communities to show that we refuse to be divided or stereotyped. The UK has a long history of religious freedom, tolerance, and diversity. Inter Faith Week is an opportunity for all of us to stand united and celebrate the strength we find in that diversity.”
Miatta Fahnbulleh, Minister for Devolution, Faith, and Communities, added, “Inter Faith Week celebrates unity over division, understanding over ignorance, and love over hate. Faith and belief communities have shown extraordinary leadership, both in times of crisis and in their daily work in communities across the country. This government fully supports this Week and encourages people to attend events in their area.”
Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Westminster, said, “This year in the Catholic Church, we mark the 60th anniversary of Nostra Aetate, a significant Second Vatican Council document on interreligious dialogue. It speaks to the transformative power of conversations and collaborations with people of different faiths and points us towards a dialogue that renews, restores, and rebuilds broken relationships. This Inter Faith Week, I encourage everyone to attend an interfaith event in their area, especially if they have not done so before. The theme of this week, “Community: Together We Serve,” challenges us to encounter others not only with our words but also through acts of service.”
Lusa Nsenga-Ngoy, Church of England Bishop of Willesden, stated, “As Britain continues to evolve, we need a new language for difference, one that moves beyond mere tolerance towards genuine curiosity, generosity, and collaboration. The challenges are real: extremism, online hate, loneliness, and disconnection. Yet the opportunities are greater. The alternative, a retreat into suspicion and the comfort of echo chambers, would be a tragic step backward. Divisive narratives, amplified online and sometimes exploited politically, threaten the very cohesion Interfaith Week seeks to protect. This week offers hope: the promise of a shared future built through honest encounter. It also invites us to face the painful aspects of our shared history, not to erase or minimize them, but to humbly and honestly learn from them. We attend to this task out of necessity, not naivety. People of faith and of none must resist the drift towards isolation and rediscover the courage to be curious.”
Reverend Graham Sparkes, Moderator of Churches Together in Britain and Ireland, added, “Many
