March 2022 Newsletter
Faith in Climate Change, Police Training, Community Grants and much more...
Creation, Climate and Conservation - March 10th
On March 10th, we hosted a panel discussion on the nature of faith-based ecological duties and the role which faith groups can play in current and future sustainability efforts. We would like to offer our warmest gratitude to all those who came - particularly to our wonderful speakers: Rabbi Mark Goldsmith, Maria Faundez, Sarah Howard-Jones, Tom Welsh and Rabbi Dr Frank Dabba Smith and to Nidhi of Brahma Kumaris for her invaluable help in keeping the event as frictionless as possible.
To read more, see below:
Faith Literacy Training Session with Police - March 23rd
On March 23rd we were delighted to renew our faith literacy programme in partnership with local police forces with a fantastic faith literacy training session on Islam and Judaism at the Wembley Friendship Centre.
We would like to express our deepest appreciation to all who took part - to Rabbi Dr Frank Dabba Smith, Omar Hajjaj, Imam Abdul Sattar and Sohail Ahmed for their enlightening words; to all members of the police in attendance for their curiosity and eagerness to build closer relationships with Brent’s faith communities, to Yu Zhang and Superintendent Tania Martin for their continued and invaluable support throughout the process; to Don and Denise of the Wembley Latter Day Saints for their typically fantastic hosting; and to Sufra for their wonderful catering.
We look forward to building on these relationships through future sessions with the aim of working together to provide a safer, fairer and more just Brent.
Ukraine - BMFF Statement and How You Can Help
As steering group members of the Brent Multi-Faith Forum, we are united in our opposition to the Russian military aggression against Ukraine.
We are ethically motivated, as humanitarians, to be concerned for the welfare of those of all faiths/no faith remaining or fleeing Ukraine. We urge organisations and individuals of all faiths to aid vulnerable refugees, however possible. The Brent Multi-Faith Forum is prepared to help with publicising positive and practical efforts, including signposting and networking where relevant.
We deplore the abhorrent racism directed towards foreign students in Ukraine, especially those from Africa, the Indian Subcontinent and of Islamic faith who have also been forced to seek refuge elsewhere. We are also aware there may even be refugees from Russia who are opposed to the dictatorship that is waging a war without justification.
We are aware of the potential for tensions in Brent between those of Ukrainian or Russian backgrounds and, especially, among those whose families and friends are directly affected by the current war.
We are sadly cognizant of the gross insufficiency of governmental and institutional efforts to aid refugees fleeing from other recent wars and crises, but this critical awareness should in no way detract from our support for the safety and welfare of Ukrainian refugees to reach and to remain in the United Kingdom. The Brent Multi-Faith Forum has long advocated the establishment of Brent as ‘Borough of Sanctuary’ incorporating faith-based ideas concerning ‘radical hospitality’.
Tragically, Ukraine is caught in the middle of what is a larger historical conflict between Russia and ‘Western’ countries. Furthermore, any unresolved Russian sense of trauma or humiliation does not justify military aggression and, even more so, if moulded by propaganda into a cult of toxic hatred. In this regard, we are also fearful of the dangers of a genocide perpetrated against innocent and vulnerable groups that are scapegoated.
Our fervent hope is for a rapid end to this war of aggression by the Russia regime and for a long-term peace settlement. In the meantime, we urge practical contributions to aid refugees and civilians. Many individuals are offering extraordinary examples of kindness, sacrifice and courage that deserve support and gratitude. This altruism inspires us all.
Please follow the link below for further details on how you can support the people of Ukraine
https://cityofsanctuary.org/2022/03/02/how-you-can-support-the-people-of-ukraine/
Workshop for Joint Mental Health Toolkit for Faith Communities
BMFF are hosting a workshop to co-produce a Mental Health Toolkit for Brent’s faith communities with CNWL NHS.
We are inviting local faith leads to attend the workshop and welcome representation from the diverse faith communities in Brent.
Tuesday 12th April – 11:00-13:00
Wembley Friendship Centre, 44 Wembley Park Drive, HA9 8HN (10-min walk from Wembley Park St and on-site parking available).
If you are interested to attend, please register your interest with Tahseen tahseen@brentmultifaithforum.org.uk by Monday 4th April.
Please note that places are limited.
Borough of Sanctuary - Sanctuary Award Applications
Please get in touch with us at mylesdolan@brentmultifaithforum.org.uk if you and your organisation would be interested in receiving a Sanctuary Award as recognition of efforts to welcome refugees and sanctuary seekers in general. For further details, see the City of Sanctuary website here.
We at the Brent Multi-Faith Forum can offer whatever help you might need with managing your application, advice on how to better tailor programming for sanctuary seekers etc.
Brent Thrive - Series of Mental Health Awareness Talks
As part of the mental health awareness, Brent Thrive is proud to announce a collaboration with Dr Latha Weston, Consultant Psychiatrist, and member of the action group. Dr Weston will host a series of mental health conversations aimed at Brent residents living with mental health challenges.
The first of this series is Thinking about your mental health and how to get help and support
Friday the 8th of April via zoom, between 2pm and 3pm
These conversations will be an opportunity for attendees to ask questions, exchange perspectives and experiences, and hopefully, take away some useful lessons for their well-being.
Brent Health and Wellbeing Events and Updates
Grants
Brent Council are relaunching their Edward Harvist Trust Fund and Love Where You Live grants, with both being made easier to apply for. The council are particularly interested in hearing from organisations who have never received grants from the council before and from BAME groups
City of Women London - Tube Map
We’d like to offer a warm congratulations to Stonebridge Stalwart and friend of the forum, Rhoda Ibrahim, whose invaluable work through Saafi and beyond has been immortalised by the City of Women London Tube Map.
You can see the full map, biographies included, here.
Social Media Handles
Follow us on Twitter (@brentmff) and Instagram (@brentmultifaithforum)