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Welcome

We are one of growing number of Interfaith Forums & Groups springing up throughout the UK.

Our base in South Shropshire encompasses Ludlow, Craven Arms, Church Stretton & Bishops Castle and many smaller towns & villages in the surrounding area.

We are members of the UK Interfaith Network.

Christchurch, Northern Ireland & now Sri Lanka

Again I find myself writing as Chair of South Shropshire Inter Faith (SSIF) following a brutal attack on one of our Faith communities. When so many are brutally murdered and maimed we focus on the multitude of lives lost and those scarred forever through injury or bereavement - it becomes all too easy to become wrapped up in the number itself - the loss of one vibrant young woman in Northern Ireland is no less a tragedy than the atrocities against our Faith communities in Pitzburgh, Christchurch and now so terribly in Sri Lanka. Each of these is not just a crime against that Faith community, it is a crime against us all. Whilst SSIF stands in solidarity and offers condolences to all in the Christian world, we also stand in mourning ourselves for lost innocent human lives whether of Faith or of none.

Mark Michaels.... .... Tuesday 23rd April 2019


What We Offer

An opportunity to meet & hear from people of other faiths (and none) living in the South Shropshire Area..


We are keen to promote interfaith dialogue which doesn’t seek to change others but listens with respect in an attempt to understand and promote a more harmonious & fair community.

For next SSIF meetings see the events page from menu above.

Craven Arms Islamic Centre were delighted to receive an award for outstanding outreach work that covered all aspects of community engagement; from The British Institute of Muslim Awards (BIMA) at the Muslim Council of Britain conference in Manchester.

Sunday 28th April 2019 .... Stokesay Church, Craven Arms ...

"We are far more united and have far more in common with each other than things that divide us".

PLEASE SEE NEWS PAGE FOR PICTURES & MORE DETAILS OF A SOLIDARITY VIGIL THAT RECENTLY TOOK TAKE PLACE IN CRAVEN ARMS FOLLOWING THE RECENT ATTACK IN CHRISTCHURCH ..... AND JOINT VISITS TO LOCAL CHRISTIAN CHURCHES ONGOING FOLLOWING THE EASTER DAY BOMBS IN SRI LANKA


CHRISTCHURCH TERROR ATTACK

Please see below the text of the letter our Chair sent to our Muslim Community in South Shropshire following the attack in Christchurch NZ

Dear Imam Peerbhai (our good friend Sohayb)

I am writing to your community in this formal manner as Chair of South Shropshire Inter Faith to express our outrage and horror at the ghastly attacks upon the Islamic community in Christchurch whilst at prayer.

We also express our deepest condolences to our Muslim friends and offer our solidarity as people of Faith in the face of an attack from the fringes of society that is an attack upon us all.

We know that at this moment you will all be reeling with shock and grief but want you to know that as people of Faith our prayers and thoughts are with you all at this awful time.

With Warmest Regards

Mark

Mark J Michaels

Chair: South Shropshire Inter Faith


There is also a statement from the National Interfaith Network of Great Britain

NEWS RELEASE

15 March 2019

Terrorist attack on mosques in Christchurch NZ - Statement from the Co-Chairs of the Inter Faith Network for the UK and Moderators of the IFN Faith Communities Forum

Today's appalling terrorist attacks on two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, have been responded to here in the UK with prayers, condemnation, and demonstrations of solidarity with the Muslim community, including at the Friday prayer.

As we said after the murderous attack on the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh USA last year, attacks on churches, gurdwaras, mosques, temples and other places of worship of different faiths here and around the world are a reminder of the need to condemn extremist violence in the strongest terms and to stand together and to continue to work together with ever greater urgency against ignorance, prejudice and hatred.

Hatred targeting any community because of its faith and belief is a scourge that cannot be tolerated. There must be freedom to worship and practise our faith freely and without fear.

The Inter Faith Network Co-Chairs and Faith Communities Forum