Summary of Zoom on Women, Equality and Religions.March 2026. See below.
Religious Education is set to play a strengthened role in the government’s plans to build a more cohesive society, according to a government policy paper published earlier this month. The document “Protecting What Matters”, signals that standards in RE teaching will be driven up, with local Standing Advisory Councils on Religious Education (SACREs) given renewed prominence. It also suggests ministers will “carefully consider” bringing RE fully into the national curriculum and its role will be strengthened alongside citizenship and British history.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/protecting-what-matters-towards-a-more-confident-cohesive-and-resilient-united-kingdom/protecting-what-matters-towards-a-more-confident-cohesive-and-resilient-united-kingdom
The Anglican Church has some members who have formed a rival group to oppose same sex marriage and women church leaders, particularly now that the head is a woman.
Gafcon leaders met in Nigeria as splits widen in Anglican Church over Sarah Mullally – BBC News https://share.google/nwlmF2q5RyQ6AFIrz
On March 20th in Norwich there were Muslim families in colourful clothes celebrating Eid.
In the Islamic (Hijri) calendar, which operates on a lunar cycle, Eid al-Fitr occurs at the end of the month of Ramadan each year. Happy Eid.
Stacey Burman is Advisor to Norfolk’s Standing Advisory Committee for Religious Education in schools. She is currently interested in contacting representatives from Muslims and from the Free/Independent Churches who might be interested in joining the Committee.
One of its roles is to decide on a syllabus for teaching about World Religions for the schools to follow (as by law, RE must be taught from ages 3 – 18 in some form). More information about the work of SACREs can be found here: https://www.nasacre.org.uk/file/nasacre/SACREinvitation.pdf
To be a SACRE representative/member, a person must be affiliated with a place of worship or institution and have a good knowledge of the faith and ideally have some connection to the British Education system.
Please contact: Stacey Burman: Sfburman@gmail.com
This is the third request. Questions to David Griffith or Stacey.Politicians support British Muslims at Iftar events in Westminster
Politicians joined Iftar events in Westminster and spoken warmly of the contribution of British Muslims to society. The Prime Minister Keir Starmer addressed Muslim MPs and community leaders at a “Big Iftar” event in Westminster Hall on Tuesday night, saying the UK is “a community of communities.”
https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/starmer-praises-muslims-and-defends-iran-policy-iftar-westminster
Norwich named Sunday Times best place to live in the UK – BBC News https://share.google/gmAqbzvQhlAiZrz0o
Here are the dates and topics for the next two Norwich Interfaith Zoom meetings:
Wednesday April 22nd
WWF UK
Charlie Cutt will bring the work of WWF UK to our attention and show how it is delivering the Wholescape pilot in Norfolk.
https://www.wwf.org.uk/learn/wholescape.
“It would be great to discuss how faith groups could get involved with projects we’re supporting in future and any opportunities to collaborate.”
Wednesday May 20th
Pilgrimage
A chance to put the purpose, practices, experiences and destinations of Pilgrimage under the spotlight. The Muslim Hajj starts on May 25th. A member cycled to Compostella last summer.
Liz Hoffbauer of the Quakers has initiated a first meeting to discuss the possibility of establishing a Peace Centre in Norwich. It was decided the first stage was to identify all the current groups (religious, political, protest, etc) involved under the broad heading of Peace. Could you therefore send details of your group or others you know of, so an initial list could be compiled.
Liz Hoffbauer: melizhoff@gmail.com
At Norwich Arts Centre, Sanctuary Awards were presented to 10 schools in Norfolk who promote the work of supporting and welcoming Asylum seekers. Norwich as a Sanctuary city also celebrated its 10th anniversary. Hosts were Ben Margolis and Claire Wood.https://norwich.cityofsanctuary.org/https://www.norfolksos.co.uk/
Below is a a report of the Together Now meeting in Norwich, which also has a link for those wishing to book for the coach going to the demonstration on Saturday March 28th.
The Bishop of Leicester Martyn Snow has told the Church of England’s parliament/general synod that the C of E is not resourcing interfaith work properly. “Interfaith work is not just about dialogue, but about action”. He has been asked to convene a meeting of interfaith leaders so the government minister responsible for the implementation of the Child Poverty Strategy can find out what faith groups are doing to address poverty.
I received the below email from alyssagavajourno@gmail.com.
Hello, I hope this message finds you well, I am a Journalism student from University of East Anglia. I am doing a TV programme about the appointment of the Archbishop of Canterbury and what the significance could be for the future of the church. If you know of any female participants in the church, what would be the impact for them. Any help would appreciated.
The AGM is on Sunday June 7th. Reports. Elections. Speaker: Nikki McGee from the Inspiration Trust. What young people can learn from Religions today? What is your worldview?
March 29th. 2pm. Meeting at Quaker Meeting house with Lesley Graham, Quaker member, to share progress on completing our Human Rights Quilt.
For those who weren’t at the Interfaith Party, I’d like to invite your faith community to take part in making an Interfaith Human Rights Quilt.
The idea is that each Faith is represented by creating one part of the quilt, illustrating one Article of the Human Rights Act, to be sewn together later. I have the base fabric cut out and ready to go, and a list of Articles to allocate, so please get in touch if someone in your community would like to take part. Flyer attached for you. So far we have covered Articles 2, 5, 6, 8, 10 with representation from Hindu, Christian and Jewish communities. This is great, and we’d love to widen our welcome to others who might like to take part.
A BIG THANK YOU TO SIRAJUL AND THE NORFOLK MUSLIM COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION for hosting and sharing their Iftar meal with us on Sunday March 8th at their new community centre on Dereham Road. Neighbours joined members at a very special event. There was prayer, Sura, followed by a meal and sharing of company and conversation.
Norwich InterFaith Link 