INTERFAITH ACTIVITIES

Religion is central to the lives of millions of people. While religion has regrettably been used throughout history to separate communities and stoke conflicts, Baha'is believe this runs counter to the intentions and practices of the founding figures of the great religious traditions. Baha'is view these figures as divine educators and agents of one civilising progress.

Faith communities offer the world a huge resource of energy and positive values that can benefit the whole of humanity in its search for spiritual, as well as social, progress - if they can draw on the unifying influence of their common ground, and on their diverse strengths and ideas.

This "unity in diversity" of the world's religions was welcomed and reflected in speeches made by religious leaders at the Millennium World Peace Summit held in August, 2000 at the United Nations in New York. One Hindu leader said, "The time has come to love each other's religions as one's own." CNN founder Ted Turner, the Summit's honorary chairman, commented: "We are all one race, and there is only one God who manifests himself in different ways."

In the United Kingdom, Baha'is have long been enthusiastic supporters of national and local inter-faith initiatives. The UK Baha'i community is one of nine major faith communities represented on the Inter Faith Network for the UK. Baha'is are also actively involved with the World Congress of Faiths, Week of Prayer for World Peace, the International Interfaith Centre, the World Conference on Religion and Peace, and the United Religions Initiative.

At the regional level, the Baha'i Councils for Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales are also participating in inter-faith activities in their respective parts of the UK, notably in relation to the devolved leislative bodies and executives.

During 2000, the Baha'i Office of External Affairs facilitated a multi-faith consultation with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, to help draft legislation for the International Criminal Court. External affairs representatives also attended conferences and consultations on a range of issues, including the Government's neighbourhood renewal strategy and multi-faith hospital chaplaincies.

The Baha'i community was represented at a number of formal and State occasions throughout the year, including a service at St Paul's Cathedral to celebrate the 100th birthday of the Queen Mother, and a banquet held by the Lord Mayor of London in Mansion House for archbishops and bishops of the Anglican Communion.

Recognition of the UK's diverse religious and cultural future was made at a multi-faith millennium celebration held in the House of Lords in January this year. Chris Smith, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport acknowledged the contribution made by the nine major faith communities to the life of the UK. Barney Leith, Secretary General of the UK Baha'i community, then joined the Archbishop of Canterbury and other senior faith representatives to recite the Millennium pledge.