The 20th annual Oxford Interfaith Friendship Walk, organised by the Oxford Council of Faiths, took place on 27th June 2024. 

The walk was founded in 2004 by Rev’d Dr Charlotte Bannister-Parker, in response to the ending of the Iraq war, to represent Oxford’s religious communities’ hopes for a peaceful transfer of power. Since then it has grown in size and scope, with this year’s walk seeing over 160 participants. 

This year’s route started at the Oxford Synagogue & Jewish Centre in Jericho, with stops for refreshment and reflection at St Giles Church and Oxford University Church, on the way to the Stanley Road Medina Mosque in East Oxford, where participants shared in a buffet supper donated by the Central Oxford Mosque. 

Reflections and addresses were made by leaders from Oxford’s Muslim, Christian, Jewish, Buddhist, Sikh, Hindhu and Baha’i communities, and included a joint pledge made by all participants and led by Bede Gerrard, current co-chair of the walk:

We trust for the future
We resolve to honour the differences in our narratives, 
We take risks to journey together
as we face the challenges ahead
and we pray for new beginnings and for peace in our world

The pledge reflects how peace, friendship and cooperation underpin this event and its hopes for collaboration and understanding between people of different faiths, a message which has felt all the more crucial in the face of the conflict in Israel and Palestine. 

A collection was made in conjunction with the walk, with proceeds split between the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) and to support the future of the walk itself. The event was covered by BBC Oxford - click here to listen to the recording made on the evening.

The walk brings together people of different faiths - building respect and understanding across a wide range of communities.

This is Oxford's 16th Interfaith Friendship Walk and the first 'virtually' under the Covid-19 lockdown.

St Benet's Institute welcomed Lord Bourne, Under Secretary of State, Minister for Faith, together with the leaders of The Three Faiths Walk in Oxford to St Benet's Hall.  The interfaith Friendship walk brings together members of all faiths in an event designed to build and strengthen relationships.  It is linked to the Three Faiths Week, held earlier this year, which is designed for students, faith leaders, public sector and non-profit workers wishing to learn more about other faiths and cultures.

The leaders are

Rabbi Dr. Michael Hilton, Rabbi Emeritus Kol Chai Hatch End Reform Jewish Community, Lecturer, Leo Baeck  College, London

Revd. Dr Liz Carmichael MBE,Emeritus Research Fellow in Theology, St John’s College Oxford

Heather-Jane Ozanne,CEO, Spirit of Peace

Revd. Charlotte-Bannister Parker,Director of Outreach, University Church of St Mary, Oxford

Imam Monawar Hussain, MBE DL,Muslim Tutor at Eton College, Founder of The Oxford Foundation

Muslim Chaplain, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

The theme of the upcoming ‘Three Faiths Week’ this year will be ‘Relating Across Divides’. It will explore the various denominations and sects within the three faiths as well as relations between the faiths and mixed faith relationships.

The conference is open to all who have a positive and sympathetic interest in learning what makes other faith communities tick, and a commitment to listen without seeking to convert others to your own views. You do not need to have a personal faith commitment or identification to attend.

There are still some spaces left. Please visit www.rabbim.co.uk to book a place.

Last month I had the privilege of co-organising Oxford’s first Three Faiths Week, a week-long conference aimed at anyone interested in learning more about, and experiencing, Muslim, Jewish and Christian faiths. It took place at St John's College Oxford on 9-15th April 2018. 

The week included deep explorations into each faith, delving beyond how the media portrays them and gaining a better understanding of what people of these three faiths are like, how they behave and what worries them.

Throughout the week there were opportunities for shared prayer and reflection as well as the experience of participating in the worship traditions of each faith by attending services and prayers at a local Synagogue, Mosque and Church. 

Here I'm pictured with Shasta Aziz (left) and Prof Ruth Harris (right) with whom I shared a panel with for the Three Faiths.

The other organisers were Rabbi Dr Michael Hilton, Revd Dr Liz Carmichael MBE, Heather-Jane Ozanneand, Imam Monawar Hussain MBE DL.

Read more about the event

The power of words is the theme for Holocaust Memorial Day 2018. All members of the public are welcome to attend.

The service is to allow members of the public, City Council employees and Councillors to honour survivors of the Holocaust, Nazi persecution and subsequent genocides and reflect on how we can ensure the lessons of history are never forgotten.

The Lord Mayor of Oxford, Councillor Jean Fooks said: “Holocaust Memorial Day serves to remind us all of the horrors of the Holocaust and other atrocities committed when people give way to racism, fascism and intolerance of those different from themselves. The service on Friday is open to all to come and share their memories and their hopes for a better future.”