Christian, Muslim and Jewish groups join together for '21 for 21' interfaith collaboration

'There are countless examples in this country of collaborations between people of different faiths'

Thursday 12 July 2018 14:05 BST
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Relations between faith communities in the UK are 'a bit of a beacon, a bit of an example, for other communities in other countries', campaigner says
Relations between faith communities in the UK are 'a bit of a beacon, a bit of an example, for other communities in other countries', campaigner says

Christian, Muslim and Jewish groups have joined together to celebrate the way young people are promoting interfaith collaboration.

In a world first, three media outlets serving the three Abrahamic faiths have joined forces to set up the 21 for 21 project, which is aimed at finding “21 leaders for the 21st century".

The project is looking for 21 young people who have made a significant difference to understanding and cooperation between people of different faiths.

"There is a widely held perception that faith communities in this country and elsewhere are in constant conflict. I think that’s actually not the case,” Justin Cohen, the news editor at Jewish News who set up the project, told The Independent.

He said although there were examples of spikes in community tension, “particularly at times of conflict in the Middle East”, overall relations between communities in the UK are “a beacon, an example, for other communities in other countries".

The project, he said, was “an example and a way of highlighting that as well as celebrating young people who are the future of interfaith understanding and cooperation in the UK.”

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The 21 young people - seven Christians, seven Muslims and seven Jews – will be chosen from a range of nominees.

The nominees, who will be chosen from a panel of judges, will come from a wide variety of backgrounds, Mr Cohen said.

“They could be the head of organisations dealing with this kind of activity, they could be forming their own collaborations,” he said.

“It could be within the field of music, art, politics or any field where they are leading this kind of activity and innovating in this kind of activity.”

They will be presented with prizes at a reception at Lambeth Palace, as well as featured in profiles by the Church Times, Muslim TV and Jewish News.

“There are countless examples in this country of collaborations between people of different faiths,” Mr Cohen said.

He went on to say he hoped the list will be “a one stop shop highlighting all this great activity that’s taking place.”

Nominations will close on Monday 16 July.

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