FIRST PERSON: WE MUST "BOX CLEVER" TO BEAT THE EXTREMISTS

Simon Bennett has written the First Person column in today's Leicester Mercury:

We must "box" clever to beat the extremists

Dr Simon Bennett, an expert in safety and security, examines the aftermath of Lee Rigby's murder

The murder last week of Drummer Lee Rigby shocked all right-minded people, whatever their faith or ethnicity. What impressed me was the country's determination not to be intimidated or demoralized by the misguided act of two disturbed individuals.

The public's response reminded me of a poster issued by the government in 1939: Keep Calm and Carry On. This is always the best response to threats and intimidation. By keeping calm and carrying on we prove terrorism doesn't work.

I'd like to make two comments: First, I believe ethnic, religious and cultural diversity is a strength, not a weakness.

As societies develop, the problems they face become ever-more complex and difficult to solve. Bringing a range of views and experiences to bear on problems improves our chances of solving them.

The Government has put its faith in the Big Society as a means of filling the gaps left by cuts. The social support offered by Britain's mosques, temples and cultural centres is an example of the Big Society in action.

I am old enough to remember Britain in the 1950s - a monochrome and stuff land of skiffle, football and fish and chips. Social diversity has made Britain a more enjoyable place to live.

Secondly,. the way to beat extremists is to "box" clever, by which I mean gather high quality intelligence and act on it in a timely manner in the context of laws that are fit for purpose.

After the September 11, 2001 attacks I wrote to the Prime Minster: I suggested he increase the budget for Britain's security services by one third.

In a 2006 article in Public Services Review, I suggested MI5 put more resources into recruiting members of extremist organisations, whether of the far-right, far-left or faith-based.

Needless to say, the Prime Minister did not respond to my letter. Nevertheless, in the years since 9/11 the Security and Intelligence Services (SIS) have put more resources into gathering intelligence organically.

Parachuting operatives into communities is a recipe for failure. Getting those communities to self-monitor is a recipe for success.

Last week, I met with a retired senior Metropolitan Police Service officer: We discussed the case of Mark Kennedy, the policeman who spent too long undercover.

The Kennedy case illustrates the difficulties of undercover work. While the murder of Lee Rigby was shocking we must remember how many plots have been foiled by the police with the support of SIS and the British public.

Intelligence gathering is not glamorous. It's dirty, dangerous and stressful. But it helps keep all of us safe.

Dr Simon Bennett is Director of Civil Safety and Security Unit at the University of Leicester

DIVERSITY DAY IS RELEVANT TO ALL OUR LIVES

This is from the Mercury Opinion column in today's Leicester Mercury:

Diversity Day is relevant to all our lives

We are pleased to be joining forces with Leicestershire Police today to produce a series of features to mark Diversity Day. The official title of this day is the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development.

If that sounds a little worthy and unwieldy, please do not be put off.The ideas and goals which underpin this event are very much grounded in reality and are relevant to all our lives.

It was sanctioned by the United Nations in the wake of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

The declaration had been worked on for some time before that but the atrocity in New York emphasised the need to encourage and promote peaceful co-existence.

Diversity Day aims to put a worldwide focus on breaking down the barriers which sometimes separate us from one another and prevent the sort of division and misunderstanding which leads to disharmony and violence.

It is not just a day on the international calendar, but is also supported by some practical steps.

These include a Facebook page headlined Do One Thing for Diversity and Inclusion, which provides people from around the world with a forum to share their experiences and stories through posts and videos.

Leicester also has a great story to tell about diversity and peaceful co-existence.

This city has one of the most diverse populations in the UK and is rightly proud of its good record in community relations.

Indeed, other cities in Europe look at Leicester to learn lessons.However, we have to guard against complacency.

More needs to be done and it is vital to continue the process of promoting dialogue and understanding.

Many individuals and organisations in Leicester from many cultural backgrounds have worked incredibly hard and with great commitment over the past 30 or 40 years to build the community relations of which we are proud.

We now have to carry on their good work and ensure that we strive towards and live up to the goals of Diversity Day – every day.

BISHOP OF LEICESTER'S GARDEN PARTY

At Bishop's Lodge, Springfield Road, this evening for the annual garden party hosted by the Bishop of Leicester. Bishop Tim holds this event at a similar time each year, extending his hospitality to members of his Faith Leaders Forum. This particular gathering is dedicated to celebrating the 25th anniversary of the founding of Leicester Council of Faiths. This has meant that many people who are not normally invited to attend the Faith Leaders Forum have been asked here this evening. Representatives of the eight member communities which constitute the Council of Faiths are in attendance, as are friends and supporters, including those who don't identify with any particular faith - or, indeed, any faith at all.

After we've enjoyed some food together, Bishop Tim gives a welcoming address, in which he mentions the major events which have happened during his tenure: the millennium; 9/11; war in Afghanistan and Iraq; 7/7. All these events played their part in leading to the establishment of the Faith Leaders Forum and the St Philip's Centre for Study and Engagement in a Multi-Faith Society, both of which have strengthened the Diocese's presence in inter-faith engagement.

We hear a message from Dr Atta'ullah Siddiqui, former Chair of Leicester Council of Faiths, followed by a speech from Cllr Manjula Sood and current Chair. She recognises the endeavour of founding figures and early members of the Council of Faiths, some of whom are here, some of whom are now too old and inform to be present at this occasion, some of whom have passed away.

There's a convivial atmosphere with a lot of praise for the progress that the Council of Faiths has made over the last quarter of a century, as well as recognition of some of the big challenges ahead. Much confidence is expressed that the Council of Faiths will meet the tests of the future, as it has the tests of the past. Such confidence is all very well, but from my point of view, with my sleeves rolled up, doing the day-to-day work of the Council of Faiths, I'd have liked someone to acknowledge that our biggest challenge will be meeting those forthcoming tests with less funding, fewer committed members and potentially (and most damagingly) no staff. I would deny that that's lack of faith on my part. I don't believe that all those who have the opportunity to speak this evening are actually aware of the oncoming difficulties in terms of resourcing and sustaining the work of Leicester Council of Faiths.

In the photo above: The Right Revd Dr Tom Butler (the previous Bishop of Leicester), Kayhar Singh, Tony Nelson, Minou Cortazzi and Cllr Manjula Sood cut the 25th anniversary cake. I get a lovely corner bit, which has the best icing coverage.

WORLD DAY FOR CULTURAL DIVERSITY FOR DIALOGUE & DIVERSITY

Today is World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development. Another one of these special annual occasions that I don’t know about till it happens. Even then, I only find out about this one from a single, solitary tweet. And this is another one of those special annual occasions that is relevant to the city and people of Leicester, to Leicester Council of Faiths and to my post. It would have been nice to mark it in some way here, if only by a letter in the Mercury.

Honestly, I simply can’t keep up with all this! I'll have no reason not to see it coming next year, I guess ...

World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development is annually held on May 21 to help people learn about the importance of cultural diversity and harmony.

Various events are organized to increase the understanding of issues around cultural diversity and development among governments, non-governmental organizations and the public. Many of these include presentations on the progress of implementing the Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity. Events include:

• Seminars for professionals.
• Educational programmes for children and young adolescents.
• The launch of collaborations between official agencies and ethnic groups.
• Exhibitions to help people understand the history of various cultural groups and the influence on their own identities.
• Celebrations to create greater awareness of cultural values and the need to preserve them.

The World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development tends to be marked in countries that embraced their varied cultural history and acknowledged the importance of embracing it.

The World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development is an observance and not a public holiday.

The General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) adopted the Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity in Paris, France, on November 2, 2001. Although the declaration was the culmination of years of work, it was adopted in the wake of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. This reaffirmed the need for intercultural dialogue to prevent segregation and fundamentalism.

The year 2002 was the United Nations Year for Cultural Heritage. At the end of that year, on December 20, 2002, the General Assembly of the United Nations declared May 21 to be the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development. The General Assembly emphasized links between the protection of cultural diversity and the importance of dialogue between civilizations in the modern world. The World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development was first observed in 2003.

OUR LEICESTER DAY 2011

At Leicester Market for Our Leicester Day. This is an opportunity for Voluntary and Community Sector organisations (and a few others) in the city (some from the county too) to present themselves to the general public, to the media - and to each other.

There are more than 110 organisations listed as taking part (described as "Promoters"), but it doesn't look to me as if all of them have turned up. The wind is probably a big factor in that. No one reckoned with the effects of the tail-end of Hurricane Katia. Some groups have had their display material virtually wrecked by the wind. There are leaflets flying everywhere, banners blown over and torn from their moorings and so much stuff being tossed backward and forward, it's a wonder no one is injured.

We share our space with Cooke e-learning Foundation and Menphys. Jim Matthews is helping run the Menphys stall. Jim worked as a reporter with the Leicester Mercury for 35 years. I introduce Gracie to Jim and ask her to tell him what she would like as a career. She makes a good impression on Jim, the outcome of which is that she gets a discount on a bunch of jigsaws (that's my girl!)

Today we're getting people to sign up to our forthcoming email newsletter, that we intend to launch during Community Media Week at the beginning of November.

Our Chair, Councillor Manjula Sood, and I get to speak for a few minutes live on BBC Radio Leicester about the Council of Faiths participation in today's event. I think I respond quite well to being asked live on air if I am Welsh.

A variety of media outlets covered the event, including Citizens' Eye Community News Agency and Pukaar News.

There's going to be a follow-up meeting for debriefing purposes at Phoenix Square Film and Digital Media Centre, Thursday 3 November, 1730. I think that there's been a mixed message about this event, because of the date on which it's been held. On the whole, it's not being taken on by the "Promoters" as being about the tenth anniversary of 9/11 but it's been too convenient and easy (for which, read "lazy") for the media to present it as being so, leading to some skewed perspectives about who is here and what the event is for. Certainly, when I got to speak on BBC Radio Leicester, I wanted to say something different. This is not an event about how Christians and Muslims can get along. I reckon that's a bit of a cheap shot, actually. I haven't seen anything on the promotional material for today's event that would warrant that sort of conclusion. A look at the list of Promoters shows that very few indeed have got anything to do with that angle - even the Council of Faiths itself is not about dialogue and relations between just those two sections of the community. Going on the informal chatter to which I've been privy, the inaccurate emphasis on the Christian-Muslim aspect hasn't gone down well in general and led to a number of people who would have benefited from attending (as visitors or as Promoters) staying away from what appeared, to them, to be an event overtly favouring particular groups who actually turned out to be in a tiny minority here today.

I think that today's event was a success, despite the effects of Hurricane Katia and the tenth anniversary of 9/11, which couldn't help but cast a shadow over anything and everything that goes on today. If Our Leicester Day is to be held again, then hopefully neither foul weather nor the hand of history will set the tone as they have today.

Thanks for helping out today to Ajay, Alastair, Clare, Grace, Harry, Manjula and Rosemarie.

In the photo above: Councillor Manjula Sood (Chair of Leicester Council of Faiths) and Ajay Aggarwal (Leicester Council of Faiths Co-ordinator). Note how the the wind is playing havoc with our pop-up banner!

DAY THAT CHANGED THE WORLD

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Day that changed the world

Civic and community leaders have recalled where they were on the day that changed the world.

City mayor Peter Soulsby said: "I was at the gym in Leicester on the running machine. The TV was on with no sound, and the pictures of the twin towers came up on the screen. One by one the machines stopped, and everyone gathered round to watch as they realised this was not a film, but reality.

'What struck me most after the event was the sense of outrage, and the solidarity people felt with America and with the families and friends of those who had been killed. For us in Leicester it did have some positive outcomes. The establishment of a group of faith leaders – the Faith Leaders' Forum – was very welcome.

"It helped to remind us that community cohesion, as we call it now, isn't something any of us can take for granted."

Bishop of Leicester the Rt Rev Tim Stevens said the first he knew about 9/11 was through a phone call from his secretary.

He said: "The rest of the afternoon was spent being interviewed by the media. Within 48 hours there was an interfaith gathering in the city centre."

In the decade since then. he said great work had been done building up trust between the city's faith communities.

Jagdev Kaur Gill, chairman of the Leicester Sikh Centre, said: "My son called me and told me a plane had crashed into one of the World Trade Centre towers. I turned on the television to see the second plane crash.

She added: "At first I thought it was an accident but it was soon clear it was deliberate.

"It was not just an attack on America, it was an attack on the whole world.

"But I believe most people in Leicester condemned what happened and the communities have come closer since it happened. Hopefully, we will continue to work together."

Lord Mayor of Leicester Robert Wann said: "I was staying at my father's house in Cyprus and he called me into the lounge. We just sat glued to the television watching the horrific events unfold."We were just in shock. It was unbelievable."

But when he returned to Leicester he was struck by the atmosphere.He said: "There was a real sense of people coming together from all the communities to condemn terrorism. I believe Leicester people have grown to understand each other better since the attack and we must continue to co-operate to ensure that acts of terrorism are resisted."

Jashvant Chauhan, vice-president of the Hindu Shree Sanatan Mandir temple, consoled his daughter as her friend from university was on one of the planes that crashed into the towers.

Mr Chauhan said: "She rang me in tears telling me her American friend she met at university was on a flight from Boston which crashed into the tower.

"So it was a very personal tragedy for us. But I think the atrocity acted as a wake-up call for us all."

County council leader David Parsons said: "I remember the awful feeling of shock when the news came through but then the dawning realisation that it would have a long-lasting impact on international relations. I pay tribute to the Leicestershire servicemen and women who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan to keep us safe."

LET'S BURY THE IDEA THAT FAITH DIVIDES PEOPLE

The Rt Revd Tim Stevens, Bishop of Leicester, writes the First Person column in the Leicester Mercury every Saturday. Here's his piece in today's paper.

Let's bury the idea that faith divides people 

The Bishop of Leicester looks forward to a positive legacy from the terrible events of 9/11 

Taking a break from writing this column during the summer has meant missing some of the key news stories of the year. The riots or disturbances across the cities of England are now past and the prospect of further economic recession seems to be growing. 

But the big story of this weekend is the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. In the Cathedral on Sunday some of us will be remembering those events and lighting candles in honour of those who died, were injured or bereaved. We shall be recalling the horror of it all and the consequent wars and conflicts which are still with us 10 years later. Many friends and relatives of those who died or who still suffer from post traumatic stress will find this weekend a particular trial and strain. 

But in the Cathedral we have felt it right also to include an act of thanksgiving. We want to give thanks for the many hidden acts of kindness, courage and friendship which have grown and developed in this city and indeed in cities around the world as people have come to see the need for deeper understanding and relationship between peoples of different faiths. 

I have said many times that we often take for granted the good relationships which have on the whole developed here in Leicester. Our best memorial to the 9/11 disaster is to ensure that we never become complacent. We must move beyond peaceful coexistence to ever deeper levels of understanding and engagement. We cannot afford to settle happily for communities living parallel lives in the same city with little connection. 

And yet this work of relationship building and understanding takes a long time. It is inter-generational work. And we need to be developing the next generation of leaders who will drive it forward with more imagination and more vigour than ever. 

That's why I am proud that we were able to establish the St Philip's Centre six years ago as a Christian centre for the study of other faiths and for engagement with other faiths. Out of that initiative is now being born the Near Neighbours Scheme which will provide small grants for local initiatives in relationship building at neighbourhood level. I hope that scheme will grow and develop here and around the country and show the world that people of faith are good at relationship building and understand what community is all about. 

The true memorial to 9/11 would be to bury once and for all the idea that faith creates conflict and divides people. While that has been true in parts of our human history and struggle, there is another truth, namely that people of faith have been able to build bridges, heal wounds and grow communities. We have made our contribution to that in this city. This weekend, in spite of the tragedy that was 9/11, we have much to give thanks for.

I'll let others, for the moment, reflect and comment on the central thesis of this piece. Its most interesting aspect, from the point of view of this blog and my post, is the authoritative definition of the St Philip's Centre as "a Christian centre for the study of other faiths and for engagement with other faiths." That's the clearest statement of its nature and purpose. I'm often asked the difference between Leicester Council of Faiths and the St Philip's Centre. When asked that question in future, I'll adduce the Bishop's words as reproduced here.

The Bishop of Leicester is Patron of Leicester Council of Faiths. I'm sorry to see that he does not mention the Council of Faiths in this article.

SO, FAREWELL THEN, ALAN RACE

A farewell party early this evening at St Philip's Church, Evington, for Alan Race. More than a hundred people turn out to express their good wishes to someone who has been an influential figure in inter faith work, not only in Leicester but also far beyond, for more than a quarter of a century.

Rev Canon Dr Alan Race has been Priest-in-Charge at St Philip's since July 2007. He helped develop a new outlook for St Philip's, which had become a church for a minority community among residents in the parish who are affiliated to other faiths. He has also been Dean of Postgraduate Studies next door at St Philip's Centre for Study and Engagement in a Multi-Faith Society. Alan is an Executive Member of the World Congress of Faiths and has for many years been editor of its journal,

Alan moved to Leicester in 1983, around the time when he was beginning to stand out as one among a small but persuasive number of scholars and practitioners extending the vision and experience of Christians to acknowledge and engage with the world views of other faiths. Leicester provided Alan with fertile ground to strengthen and deepen his studies and writings on this theme.

Alan chaired a conference at Leicester University's Stamford Hall, 5-8 August 2001 entitled "Multi-Ethnic Britain: What Future?", which took its lead from the Parekh Report, which had been published the year before. I attended that conference, which was in itself a very interesting occasion - although, as you can imagine faithful reader, whatever we may have said and done there was somewhat overtaken by events in New York and Washington hardly one month later.

Alan was on the panel of three (along with Angela Jagger and Tony Nelson) who interviewed me for my initial post with Leicester Council of Faiths, back in May 2007. Alan was Treasurer of the Council of Faiths then.

Alan is leaving Leicester to become Rector of St Margaret's Church in Lee, South London. He's sold me on the idea of going down there to visit him once he's settled, with his description of St Margaret's as part church, part art gallery.

Among his many published books (either solely or with others) are: Interfaith Encounter: The Twin Tracks of Theology and Dialogue (SCM Press, 2001) and Christian Approaches to Other Faiths (joint ed., with Paul Hedges, SCM Press, 2008). He is also editor of the intermationally renowned journal Interreligious Insight (previously called World Faiths Encounter). In 2008, Alan wrote a pithy piece for the Guardian on the topic, Should Religions Compete?

The cake served this evening was one of those ones that has a photograph reproduced in the icing. I got a piece that had Alan's head on it. I hoped that upon eating it, I would feel my IQ or my wisdom or something shoot up like a sugar rush. Sadly, it was not to be.

In the photo above, Alan Race (right) shares a joke with Resham Singh Sandhu at his leaving do, St Philip's Church this evening (Ramesh Majithia is in the background, between them). You could hardly get a more inter-faith photo about Leicester if you tried.

FAITH LEADERS FORUM

To Bishop's Lodge, Springfield Road, for a meeting of the Faith Leaders Forum, starting at 1800. I've been invited to attend specifically to contribute to the start of planning for Inter Faith Week, Sun 20 - Sat 26 November. Noel Singh (Policy Officer for Community Cohesion at Leicestershire County Council) has been invited for the same purpose.

Bishop Tim himself isn't present; the meeting is chaired by Richard Atkinson, Archdeacon of Leicester and Chair of Trustees at St Philip's Centre for Study and Engagement in a Multi-Faith Society (that's Richard on the left in photo above, along with Chief Inspector Rich Keenan, Leicestershire Constabulary; Dr John Hall, Director of Studies at St Philip's Centre; and Sheikh Ibrahim Moghra, Chair, Interfaith Committee, Muslim Council of Britain). Five of the city's faith communities are represented here this evening. I suppose I could be considered occupying a seat for a sixth, but I've not been invited here to represent the local Bahá'ís.

I've not been invited to one of these meetings before, so I find it helpful when another attendee asks Mike Smith (Policy Adviser and Chaplain to the Bishop of Leicester) briefly to describe the origin and purpose of this group. He explains how it's not constituted on a formal basis (like the Council of Faiths is, for example) which allows it to have a more free-ranging brief, holding informal conversations on subjects that might be a bit more controversial or difficult than those which other organisations might tackle. It was gathered together by (and around) Bishop Tim in the wake of the terrorist attacks of 9/11 and 7/7 - which is appropriate this evening, since the first item on the agenda is the tenth anniversary of 9/11.

In connection with this topic, it's decided that the city's faith communities have to focus on reconciliation, finding common ground and solidarity with Muslims. This tenth anniversary falls on a Sunday, which would allow certain kinds of events in public spaces to be appropriate. We don't know if the City Council or County Council intend to hold anything. We're reminded that this tenth anniversary will be covered extensively in the media - and that if we don't write the story of how it plays out in Leicester, others will.

Other topics tonight include policing issues (in particular a report by the Equality and Human Rights Commission on Leicestershire Constabulary's record on Stop and Search); the omission of Religious Education from the new English Baccalaureate; and the establishment of the new Hindu school in Evington, in the old Leicester Grammar Junior School, adjacent to St Paul's (the school is eager to engage with the wider faith communities of the city and has offered itself as a venue for the next meeting of the Faith Leaders Forum in March).

When Noel and I are asked to speak about Inter Faith Week 2011, he goes first. We're sitting at opposite ends of the room and that's reflected in the kind of things we say. Noel's concerned about Inter Faith Week being a case of preaching to the choir, with same old faces saying the same old things to the same old audiences, in the same old places. He urges getting out and connecting with ordinary people throughout the city and county - going where they are and trying to bring Inter Faith Week to them. He's particularly keen on getting schools involved.

I, on the other hand, think that we made a pretty good fist of getting among the public, through our week-long exhibition in Highcross for the second year running. I say a little about how that came about in 2009, how it went in 2010 and how Highcross has tentatively offered the same opportunity to us again this year.

I don't think I need to go over National Inter Faith Week 2010 (or 2009 for that matter) here. There's enough about them already in this blog (see entries passim). But in this context I do get to raise a few truisms that I think would be good if we could acknowledge and change. One is the absence from events such as the Highcross exhibition by "faith leaders" who simply don't know how to talk to members of the public. Now I wouldn't want to give the impression that I'm knocking anyone by saying this (and I seem to get agreement round the table when I do). They may be at ease speaking with royalty, MPs, academics and the like, but they'll run a mile from a single mum pushing a double buggy! It's a different mindset and skillset: many of those who enjoy being among the general public at occasions like the Highcross exhibition or the Celebrate One Leicester event would feel ill at ease in the presence of dignitaries and notables. Beyond this, another problem (and a more serious one I believe) is that some of the faith communities at large don't seem interested in supporting an event such as this. Also, in the two years this event has been held so far, there has been little acknowledgment or support from Leicester City Council (only in the form of Lord Mayor Roger Blackmore and his wife Hilary opening the event in 2009).

We discussed what we can do for 2011 that we haven't done before. I mention Chris Minter's offer of the City's Council's Adult Skills and Learning Service getting behind the event. We also have a promising offer of Phoenix Square running a season of themed movies during the week. There's a proposal that we should make a concerted effort to make it something bigger for schools. The idea is raised of each faith hosting one day (making it an eight-day week, but we can sort that out somehow). We also acknowledge the need for appropriate central coordination.

PROUD TO LIVE IN A CITY WHERE FAITH IS RESPECTED

This is Bishop Tim Steven's First Person column, published in today's Leicester Mercury:

Proud to live in a city where faith is respected

After a US pastor threatens to burn the Qur'an, the Bishop of Leicester speaks up for religious tolerance

This week was the ninth anniversary of 9/11. The occasion was overshadowed by the furore surrounding the threat by a hitherto anonymous pastor called Terry Jones to burn 200 copies of the Qur'an.

Pastor Jones is the head of a small evangelical Christian church in Florida called the Dove Center and his threats were in response to the plan to build a mosque close to where the Twin Towers once stood. The poet Andrew Motion said that "book-burning is first and foremost a monumental manifestation of intolerance". Pastor Jones' threatened book burning and lack of tolerance has resulted in inflamed emotions and heightened tension across the globe. His actions have been widely condemned by leading Americans from President Obama downwards.

This week's events in America are a far cry from the mood of the nation during President Obama's inauguration in January 2009, the theme of which was 'Hope'. In his augural speech, President Obama urged Americans to acknowledge the power of faith and its diversity as a positive rather than a negative force in shaping people's lives.

This theme was reflected in a statement issued this week by Christians and Muslims in Leicester in response to Pastor Jones' threats. In a joint statement, faith leaders committed themselves to continuing to build strong interfaith relations in the city and county and urged Muslims and Christians to work alongside each other to overcome bigotry and prejudice.

Suleman Nagdi, of the Federation of Muslim Organisations, said that "the burning of any religious scripture is a degrading act which all of us must speak out against''.

This week, civic leaders in Leicester and Leicestershire also committed themselves to 'unity of purpose' when they signed a new charter which expresses a wish for a society where all people can live together in peace and prosperity. By signing the charter, the leaders have committed themselves to the development of "a thriving and cohesive society of many communities, cultures, faiths and beliefs, working together for its continued success for ourselves, our children and for future generations''.

The planned actions of the pastor of the Dove Center do not reflect the true values and beliefs of Christianity whose greatest commandment is that "we love one another''.

I am proud to live and work in a city where faith is respected and where we as Christians are able to live in peace with our friends from other faiths. I hope and pray that in Leicester and Leicestershire we will continue to stand together against hatred and violence and promote harmony in our common life.

JON RONSON APPEARING AT SKEPTICS IN THE PUB

One of my contemporary heroes is appearing in Leicester this evening. Jon Ronson is speaking at the monthly meeting of Skeptics in the Pub, at The Park in Hotel Street.

For anyone who doesn't know the man or his work, Jon Ronson is a writer and documentary film maker. His books, Them: Adventures With Extremists and The Men Who Stare At Goats have been international bestsellers. The latter has been made into a "major motion picture" (don't all films describe themselves thus?) starring George Clooney, Ewan McGregor, Kevin Spacey and Jeff Bridges. He's also the author of two collections of his columns and essays, OutOf The Ordinary: True Tales of Everyday Craziness and What I do: More True Tales of Everyday Craziness. He's written the popular "Human Zoo" and "Out of the Ordinary" columns for the Guardian Weekend, to which he still contributes features. He currently writes and presents the twice-Sony nominated BBC Radio 4 series, Jon Ronson On.... Jon has made a number of films for Channel 4 including the acclaimed five part series Secret Rulers of the World and the multi award-winning Tottenham Ayatollah. His most recent documentaries are Reverend Death (Channel 4), Stanley Kubrick's Boxes (More4) and Robbie Williams and Jon Ronson Journey to the Other Side (Radio 4). In the US, he is a contributor to Public Radio International's This American Life. (Much of this information has been pinched from Jon's own website).

Throughout the day, I've been following Jon's tweets in advance of this evening's meeting:

jonronson Off to Leicester for Skeptics in the Pub even though my nose and mouth feel like a million tiny ants have dug holes in them.

jonronson All I can say, Leicester Skeptics, is don't expect me to be in the least bit funny or interesting. I'm really ill. See you in a bit!

jonronson Just arrived at Leicester station. Don't know what to do or where to go. Skeptics: help.

jonronson Oh God. I am ill and unmet at Leicester station and my gums hurt and I want to go to bed.

jonronson Am met and alive and in zizzi.

I've seen Jon Ronson once before in Leicester, in autumn 2006 at Phoenix Arts. A whole Friday evening was devoted to documentaries and discussion related to conspiracy theories (main themes being the supposed faking of the moon landings and the "truth" behind 9/11). The programme started at 1715; I left just before midnight and it looked like it could have gone on all night. It may well have done for all I know. Jon was light, engaging and funny. He's not so much interested in conspiracy theories as he is in the people who devote themselves to conspiracy theories - whether they're trying to push them, debunk them, or are at the centre of them. Come to that, it's best to say that he's interested in people. And he's self-deprecating to the nth degree. I envy his insight and admire his writing. I'd been able to ask him a question from the audience that night, spoke briefly with him at the interval and prevailed upon him to sign several of his books (I'm such a fanboy!)

If he's still unfamiliar to you, faithful reader, consider him the thinking man's Louis Theroux - a topic which itself contributes to Jon's schtick, as the following recent tweet attests:

jonronson As some know, I've always thought of me and Louis as conjoined twins, in that for one of us to grow stronger the other must die.

Though, to be fair, he also tweeted this right after:

jonronson Actually, Louis is really getting brilliant."

So, back to the present: I'm otherwise engaged for most of this evening at two consecutive meetings of the Council of Faiths. Those meetings wrap up around nine and I dash the few hundred yards from the Welcome Centre down to The Park, just in time to hear the last bit of the Q&A. When the "formal" part of the presentation finishes, I push my way through to say hello to Jon, remind him of our meeting last time he came to Leicester (which he says he remembers - bless him), tell him I've been reading his tweets, muse on our mystery sore throats being induced by the descent of dust from the Icelandic volcanic ashcloud and get him to sign a copy of What I Do (the only book of his I owned which was as yet still unsigned). I'm glad I get to do that, at least. Later that evening, one last tweet from Jon:

jonronson Thanks to all the Leicester sceptics for being so fab.

All's well that ends well.

one planet, one people

In 2001, the St Mungo Museum of Religious Life and Art presented an exhibition focusing on the Bahá'ís. The exhibition ("One Planet, One People: The Bahá'ís - a Worldwide Community") ran from 2 June to 21 October. As well as a series of panels outlining the teachings and history of the Bahá'í Faith and a profile of its followers, it included a multimedia display, a series of works of art by Bahá'í artists and a "Tranquillity Zone" (a space for private prayer and meditation developed by Bahá’ís in Swindon which have been set up in hospitals, police stations and offices around the country). The exhibition was expected to attract over 40,000 visitors during its five month run. It was arguably the biggest public exposure of the Bahá'í Faith to take place in Scotland since the visit of 'Abdu'l-Bahá to Edinburgh in 1913 (a subject covered in depth by Anjam Khursheed in his 1991 book, The Seven Candles of Unity).

At the time, the exhibition was described as marks-ing the fruition of a long-term relationship which the Bahá'ís have had with the museum since it opened in 1994. Although at the time, it was disappointing that the Faith was not included in the museums "Gallery of World Faiths", a positive contact was maintained and developed. Interestingly, the event which finally prompted the museum to host the exhibition was a letter from a Bahá'í couple who visited the museum and who asked why there was so little about the Faith displayed there - which proves that some good can come out of complaining after all. The exhibition was partly sponsored by the Bahá'í Council for Scotland.

Noteworthy items on display were an original letter from 'Abdu'l-Bahá to Andrew Carnegie (on loan from the Internaional Bahá'í Archives in the Holy Land), a "One World Tree" and a model of the New Delhi Temple (commonly known as the "Lotus Temple"), borrowed from the Peace Museum in Verdun, France. The tree consisted of branches constructed by Scottish Bahá'ís around the country and was used to collect thoughts, reflections, hopes and aspirations for humanity which visitors to the exhibition could hang on it. I visited the exhibition three times: at its opening, around halfway through its run and on the closing day. During the exhibition's lifetime, we had the unforgettable events of September 11th of course. There was a clearly noticeable change in the nature of the thoughts, reflections, hopes and aspirations - and the emergence of new fears - that visitors wrote to leave on the "One World Tree".

To coincide with the exhibition, the Bahá'í Publishing Trust produced a 32-page full colour glossy booklet complementing the display panels, which could also be used as a general introduction to the Bahá'í Community in Scotland. This was entitled, A World-Embracing Vision. I was manager of the Bahá'í Publishing Trust at the time (based in Oakham). It was a difficult time for the Trust (wasn't it always?) but I was determined to get this booklet out. The goal was to have it ready for the launch of the exhibition, but that didn't happen. In the end, it was launched at the close of the exhibition and was adopted as a sort of legacy of the St Mungo display. I'm now sorry that I didn't put my name on the book. Admittedly some of it was adapted from existing sources (there are only so many ways you can describe a Bahá'í House of Worship after all) but I consider it the best (and most original) thing I worked on during my sixteen years at the BPT. Here's a review of the booklet, published on amazon.co.uk (not written by me, I hasten to add!):

Does exactly what it says on the cover (16 Jun 2009)

This booklet's aims are set out in its subtitling: "the Baha'is... who they are, what they believe, and what they do" and it covers the ground well. The text is comprehensive it is well illustrated with many photographs in colour, and the whole is well laid out and presented. It has a number of strengths that make it particularly useful in sharing information about the Baha'i Faith. It is tailored to the British (primarily the Scottish, but with more general application) community in its presentation of Baha'i history and activity. The photographs are well chosen and wide-ranging. The content includes a lot about what Baha'is have been involved with, what they actually do to try to help make the world a better place. In summary it is an excellent introductory work to be shared with enquirers and therefore a valuable resource. Not only that but many Baha'is will find it worth reading for their own information and will want to keep back a copy for their own bookshelves.

The themes of the eight panels were: "Being a Bahá'í"; "The Importance of Family"; "The Bahá'í Community in Glasgow"; "The Bahá'ís in Scotland"; "Bahá'ís in the United Kingdom"; "European Bahá'ís"; "Bahá'ís Around the World"; "Bahá'u'lláh". Although this kind of display is commonplace today, it was a real step forward for the Scottish Bahá'í community - and possibly the first time I'd seen this sort of display used for educational purposes. The banners are still in use at various events and locations around Scotland.

In addition a series of events was planned to run in parallel with the exhibition including seminars, arts presentations and discussion groups.

See the eight-panel display created for the Bahá'í exhibition here:
http://www.bci.org/scotland/intro/home.htm

Find out more about St Mungo Museum of Religious Life and Art:
http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/glasgow/stmungomuseum/index.html