World Interfaith Harmony Week
Stand Together: National Holocaust Memorial Event for Scotland
On 27th January each year Scotland holds an event to honour the memory of those who suffered and perished under the Nazi persecutions during World War II, and subsequent genocides including Cambodia, Rwanda and Bosnia.
In 2020 Holocaust Memorial Day was commemorated as a part of World Interfaith Harmony Week.
January 27th 2020, 5.30pm – 8.30pm (Scottish Parliament Garden Lobby)
‘Unforgotten’ Concert
Free and public event.
January 28th 2020, 7pm (Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Glasgow)
Tackling Hate Together Dialogue Event
Free and public event.
January 29th 2020, 6pm – 8pm (Scottish Jewish Archive Centre)
‘We will not be prisoners of hate’
Free event for faith representatives and prisoners.
February 3rd 2020, 10am – 4pm (Barlinnie Prison)
The Great Get Together
For the Great Get Together 2020, Interfaith Scotland focused on tackling racism and standing in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement.
The guest speaker was Marie James, a producer and writer of Jamaican heritage who was born, raised and continues to live in the UK. She received the London Lord Mayors Award for her contribution to culture and was recognised as one of the 100 most influential Black Londoners.
Marie has extensive experience producing video, social media and online content for broadcasters including Channel 4.
June 19th 2020 (Online)
Online Engagement
Interfaith Scotland in partnership with Remembering Srebrenica Scotland organised an online engagement event for the 25th Anniversary of the Srebrenica Genocide. Guest speaker, survivor and acclaimed author, Hasan Hasanovic spoke about his personal experience during the Genocide and answered some questions. Cabinet Secretary Ms.Aileen Campbell MSP representing the Scottish Government spoke about challenging hate crimes.
Hasan was 19 when the town of Srebrenica fell to Bosnian Serb forces in July 1995. He endured a 100 kilometre march through hostile terrain to escape the massacre that took the lives of around 8000 Muslim men and boys, including his brother and father.
“I want to speak to people, and share my story because my heart speaks. And now, finally someone is listening.”
July 8th 2020 (Online)
Online Interfaith Dialogue for Earth Day 2020
Reflecting on our faith-based responses to the environment and the climate actions we can take. Check out our resources on faith and the environment below.
- World Faiths and the Environment
- Faith quote cards on the environment
- Faith and the Environment Online Resources
April 22nd 2020, 10.30 – 11.30am (Online)
Women’s Dialogue
We hosted regular dialogue events for women across Scotland including dialogue teas, retreats and events during Refugee Festival.
Interfaith Service for the Well-being of Humanity during COVID-19
Religions for Peace UK Women of Faith Network in partnership with Interfaith Scotland held an interfaith service of prayer and reflection for the health and well-being of humanity.
The service consisted of short readings from women of different faiths and beliefs culminating in 2 minutes of silent prayer/reflection for the health and well-being of humanity and remembering those who have passed on.
May 14th 2020, 7pm (Online)
Women and Leadership Workshop with Professor Susan Madsen
This workshop for women of all faiths and beliefs focussed on developing women’s leadership through strengthening identity, purpose and calling.
May 21st 2020, 3pm (Online)
Young People
We organised events for young people including retreats, conferences and away days. We also ran ‘interfaith days’ in schools where our volunteers spoke about their faith with school pupils of all ages.
Online Dialogue for Young People
This event provided an opportunity for young people to share their experiences of lockdown and faith responses to the crisis.
April 26th 2020, 2 – 2.45pm (Online)
Interfaith Insights Youth engagement
Edinburgh Interfaith Association, Edinburgh Co-Existence Initiative and Interfaith Scotland collaborated on a youth event held on 18th of August at 1 pm. Please visit this link to view the event recording.
August 18th 2020, 1pm (Online)
Meetings for local interfaith groups and faith communities
Online Dialogue for Faith Communities
An opportunity to share experiences with faith communities across Scotland in response to Covid-19.
April 14th 2020 (Online)
Online Dialogue for Local Interfaith Groups
An opportunity to share experiences with other local interfaith groups in Scotland in response to Covid-19.
April 15th 2020 (Online)
Online Dialogue for Faith Communities and Local Interfaith Groups
A session sharing information about the Scottish Government’s funding for Covid-19 relief.
April 27th 2020 (Online)
A session sharing updates from the various faith communities and local interfaith groups.
May 18th 2020 (Online)
A session sharing updates from the various faith communities and local interfaith groups.
June 1st 2020 (Online)
A session sharing updates and discussing ‘Building Back Better’.
August 4th 2020 (Online)
Annual Networking Seminar for local interfaith groups
Interfaith Scotland hosted the Annual Networking Seminar for local interfaith groups on Zoom.
This provided an opportunity for local interfaith groups to share their experiences over the last few months and also look to the future, including Scottish Interfaith Week and beyond, through a mixture of presentations and group dialogue.
October 21st 2020 (Online)