Redbridge Faith Profile

Publications:

With more than 110 places of worship in Redbridge, the RFF has published a directory which is available in hard copy and online.  Copies of the booklet have been distributed to schools, places of worship and libraries across Redbridge. The directory lists names, addresses, telephone numbers and websites of all the Churches, Mosques, Synagogues, Mandirs, Gurdwaras and temples in the Borough. It also states which worship events or services are conducted in other languages.

 Public Forums

This year the RFF has held four public forums on:

  • Ideas for a Focus on Faith Features in Redridge
  • Crime
  • Education - Exploring the Nature and Validity of Faith Schooling in Redbridge
  • A Celebration of Women and Faith

These meetings have been well attended and have also been widely covered by the media including the Woodford and Wanstead Guardian, Ilford Recorder, Yellow Advertiser, BBC London online, the Daily Jang, Muslim Times, Islam Channel and BBC World Service.

The RFF has also produced a feedback report following the successful Education Forum, which provided the opportunity for the national debate on faith schooling to be discussed at a local level.

Other events during 2006/07

Faith Perspectives on Climate Change

In September, the RFF published Faith Perspectives on Climate Change, launching the booklet at Planet Redbridge in Valentines Park, an event that promotes living a greener lifestyle.

The twelve page document features articles about faith perspectives from leading authors and maembers of the RFF's management committeee, and includes entries from a Sikh, Muslim, Cristian, Jewish, Baha'i, Zoroastrian and Buddhist viewpoint.  Schopols, community centres and places of worship in Redbridge and other london Boroughs received this booklet.

Newsletters

The group has produced two newsletters detailing information and events about the RFF, other inter-faith groups and agencies that work with us.  The newsletters also cover other relevant issues such as climate change and health.

Fairtrade

To mark Redbridge Council's Make a Difference Week 2006, the RFF hosted Do you have Faith in Fairtrade? which launched the week.  The Redbridge Mayor, Cllr Ashok Kumar, attended the event that was held at Vine United Church, Ilford, and spoke about Fairtrade, and how faith communities can work together to promote the cause.

Following the success of this event, during Fairtrade Fortnight (Feb 26 - March 11th), the RFF teamed up with Ilford Islamic Centre and Mosque to host a visit from Mufti Liaquat Ali Amod from the Shah Jahan Mosue, Woking, which is the UK's first Fairtrade mosque.  This has prompted executive members of Ilfor Islamic Centre to look into the concept of Fairtrade and consider joining the national campaign.

One World Week

During One World Week 2006, the RFF worked with a local Seven Kings community artist and held two workshops to encourage children to think about their identity and focus on the theme for the global event entitled "Mind the Gap".

Places of Worship Tours

The RFF has organised three places of worship tours in Redbridge.  One was for a local women's group, another for a church group from the diocese of Brentwood, and the third comprised a two day tour for an internationally renowned yoga guru, Ram Dev Ji, who was visiting Redbridge to host his yoga workshops in August 2006.

Guest Speakers

RFF Chair Rev. Stephen Normanton, was invited to be a guest speaker at a launch of the yoga workshops, and also at the Islamic Awareness Week gathering that was held in Redbridge Town Hall in November.

Redbridge College

Members of the Management Committee were invited to Redbride College for the opening of their multi-faith prayer and reflection room.

Peace Tree

In June 2006 the RFF was asked by Redbridge Council to endorse peace at a tree that has been planted in Uphall Recreation Ground, Lowbrook Road.  The idea of the tree - now known as the Peace Tree - came from a local resident, Abida Iqbal, who runs a women's group, RDWWA (Redbridge Disabled Women's Welfare Association).  The RFF held a watering ceremony at the tree in June 2006.

This year, for International Women's Day, 8th March, the RFF sponsored the unveiling of the RDWWAs plaque, which has been placed by the Peace Tree to spread the group's message of Peace, Love and Unity.