Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Interfaith Dialogue

Monday 22 April 2024 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Kirsten Oswald inquired about steps the Department is taking to promote interfaith dialogue.
  • The Minister stated the Government supports interfaith efforts and funds various partners to encourage dialogue.
  • The Minister clarified that the closure of the Inter Faith Network is an independent decision by the charity, not by the Government.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Kirsten Oswald SNP
Religion & Faith
Context

The question arises from efforts to promote interfaith relations and the role of government in supporting these initiatives.

Question

What steps his Department is taking to help promote interfaith dialogue?

Answer from Felicity Buchan

This Government are extremely supportive of efforts to bring together people of different faiths and beliefs. The faith Minister meets regularly with faith leaders to encourage these efforts, and the Department has funded a range of partners, including Near Neighbours and Strengthening Faith Institutions, to organise local level interfaith dialogue.

Answered
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Q2 Kirsten Oswald SNP
Religion & Faith
Context

Two months ago, the Secretary of State announced that he would withdraw funding from the Inter Faith Network, a prominent interfaith charity. The charity will close next week after 40 years and is viewed as an important forum for Jewish-Muslim dialogue.

Question

I thank the Minister for her answer, but two months ago the Secretary of State announced that he would pull funding from the Inter Faith Network, which is the largest interfaith charity on these islands. It will close next week, after 40 years. It is an astonishing decision by the UK Government to close Britain's main forum for Jewish-Muslim dialogue now. The Secretary of State could still reverse that very poor decision, but that would have to happen this week. What are the chances of that?

Answer from Felicity Buchan

Let me explain what occurred. The closure of the Inter Faith Network is a matter for the Inter Faith Network, as an independent charity; it is not a matter for Government. We have always made it very clear to all charities that receive Government funding that they need to have sustainable sources of other funding. In my response to the urgent question about a month ago, I made clear the reasons for the closure. To repeat, the decision to withdraw the funding was taken because of the appointment of a member of the Muslim Council of Britain as a trustee. Governments of various different hues have decided that they will not deal with the Muslim Council of Britain.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The chances of reversing the funding withdrawal from the Inter Faith Network

How: Closure Is A Matter For The Charity, Not A Matter For Government

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