Margaret Mullane MP launched the Dagenham and Rainham Faith Forum at its inaugural meeting on Saturday 16 November. The forum, attended by over 120 local Christian, Muslim, Hindu and Sikh faith leaders, took place at the CEME campus in Rainham.
The forum was jointly chaired by Ajanta Deb Roy and Cllr Sade Bright and was opened with a moving and thoughtful presentation from four Year 9 students of All Saints Catholic School, Osasere, Kachi, Sofia & Joseph. Their presentation focused on respect and understanding across communities, faiths and nations.
Margaret commented “The riots and hatred that scarred some towns early in the summer, stirred up by malign forces, did not directly touch us locally. That was because work had been done over time to build cohesion, understanding and tolerance.
But there can be no complacency. Those voices spouting hatred and division have not gone away. That’s why it is so important to set up a Faith Forum in Dagenham and Rainham to strengthen the bridges across local communities of all faiths.
It was so encouraging to see and hear from so many people from different faith groups at the inaugural meeting and to acknowledge that what we have in common far outweighs any differences and that diversity enriches us all.”
Margaret added “What was also so positive was to hear the shared hopes and concerns expressed by the many faiths present with a genuine unity of purpose to stand together to reject division and hate in society.”
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