Over 60 people gathered at Westleigh, St Vincent’s Church, Altrincham, for this event initiated by members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community. A panel of four representatives from the Hindu (Dr Girdari Lal Bhan), Jewish (Rabbi Warren Elf), Christian (Professor James Holt of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon)) and Muslim (Imam Mohammad Khurshid) communities each spoke about Freedom of Speech from the perspective of their faith.

Although they all raised different points, there was one message in common which could be summarised as follows: be tolerant of others and do not impose views if you think they will cause hurt, although it is right to speak up to pursue righteousness.

After a break for refreshments, there followed a lively question and answer session covering topics including the problematic issue of gender, the right to protest, and the attack on Salman Rushdie. The importance of face-to-face discussion was emphasised as opposed to the use of social media to stir up hate.

It was an interesting and stimulating evening, and good to be able to meet in person again.

Carolyn Jones

(Hon. Sec., Altrincham Interfaith Group)

Altrincham Interfaith Group send deepest condolences to King Charles and the Royal Family on the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth. We give thanks for her long service, her leadership and her Faith.

About 18 members and friends of AIG gathered together on a wintery evening to enjoy a very warm welcome from the Vicar, Mother Clair Jaquiss, and members of the congregation of All saints Church, Hale Barns. We were greeted with hot drinks, biscuits and cake before going into the Church to hear Mother Clair talk about its history, practices and features of interest. It is the Parish Church of All Saints and Ringway and was opened in 1967, replacing a former black and white wooden church. Despite a rather austere exterior, it is light and modern inside, with rich purple furnishings, stained glass windows designed by a Japanese artist and representing the four seasons (which, alas, we could not appreciate fully in the dark) and a beautiful wooden ceiling set with numerous lights. The Church follows the Liberal Catholic tradition and is supported by the donations of people who come to the Church. Various practices and traditions were explained to us and we saw the rich red vestments worn by the vicar at this time of year. After her talk, there were many questions and we all enjoyed a most interesting and informative evening. Our thanks to Mother Clair and her congregants for their hospitality and for giving up their time to make us so welcome.

Carolyn Jones

(Hon. Sec., Altrincham Interfaith Group)

This year the lecture was shared vi Zoom, and about 36 of us were privileged to hear Imam Mohammad Ahmad Khurshid from the Ahmadiyya community talk about “World Crisis and Pathway to Peace: An Islamic Perspective.” Altrincham Interfaith Group Vice-Chair Elinor Chohan introduced the speaker who is Iman at the Darul Aman Mosque in Hulme, Manchester. The Imam explained that there is a dire need for peace in the world for, for though technology can bring us together in an instant, we have never been further apart. Thanks to social media, all the poverty and displacement in the world has been brought to light, while a report written in 2000 says 1% of the population own 40% of all the assets in the world; the 3 richest people own more financial assets than poorest 48 nations combined. This is a world crisis. How can faith, and in particular Islam, play a role in establishing peace in the world?

Imam Khurshid explained how a Muslim must fulfil the rights of mankind if he wishes to fulfil the rights of God, by showing compassion and never acquiring wealth through deception and pointed out how greed and envy can be a cause for restlessness and the destruction of world peace. He also deplored the rise of racism and pointed out that all mankind is from Adam and Eve, and no one person has superiority over another. He cited many examples from the Koran in which compassion was shown, and how important it was to show kindness to kindred, for being disrespectful to parents is the greatest sin. We should help the poor and needy, those failed by society, without seeking any reward, and treat mankind as a mother treats her child without claiming favours in return. This is the pathway to peace, to serve those around us.

There was a lively discussion after his address, with many questions including the issue of free speech, which the Imam said should never cause pain or offence to people, instead one should engage with and respect others and other religions, and that we need inter-religious dialogue. When someone asked why God allows pain and suffering in the world, yet is all-powerful, the Imam replied we should not blame God for the actions of man. We could serve people better, feed the hungry, vaccinate the poor in Africa. This prompted a suggestion that we could write to our MP to urge the Government to send more vaccines to Africa and Elinor Chohan agreed to follow this up.

Father John Rafferty thanked Imam Khurshid for an interesting and stimulating talk and pointed out that, while we might not agree with other religions, we should walk with each other, listen to each other and be respectful. This is what Altrincham Interfaith Group strives to do. Elinor agreed and hoped that that we may engage with each other to make our community better, for we all have a common shared humanity.