Hull and East Riding Interfaith

10/06/2026

Our next forum is approaching fast and takes place on Tuesday, 16th June at Hull Guildhall, HU1 2AA, with the usual timings of 5.30 – 7pm with entry and refreshments available from 5.00pm onwards.

The theme this month will be ‘Faith and Young People : How we nurture our Young People within faith communities’,
and will focus particularly on how we engage with, and nurture, young people within our various communities.

The forum will be panel led, but with time for wider discussion.
Our guest panel speakers include
- Kamlesh Kaur - prominent Sikh educator and faith consultant
- Rev Tim Kelly - Church of England Rector for the 'Four Towers Benefice' and Area Dean and who has a particular interest in the impact of social media on youth.
- Katie Flood & Mary Collinge - both part of the Chaplaincy Team of St Cuthbert's Roman Catholic Trust (which includes St Mary's College).
- Ash Poulton - from the Church of Latter Day Saints(LDS) who is the Area Communication Director and a teacher at LDS's Hull & ER / N&NE Lincs Young Adult Institute of Religion

This will be the first of two forums focused on our theme for the year of 'Faith and Young People' intended to cover such topics as
- The various ways in which young people currently engage with the various faith communities in our region.
- Reasons why many young people do not engage with any faith communities.
- Ways of making matters of faith and religion more accessible, relevant and meaningful to those not currently engaged with such matters.

We hope you can come along and help make this a great forum!
The meeting is free and all are welcome.
Looking forward to seeing both regular and new faces there!

05/06/2026

Wishing a peaceful, safe and blessed weekend to all communities❤️🌍and Happy Pride Month 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

Pride is celebrated in the month of June, as that was the month of the Stonewall riots, important protests that took place in 1969, which changed gay rights for a lot of people in the US and around the world.
Pride Month is a celebration of people coming together in love, friendship and support and highlights both the progress that has been made and the ongoing need for dignity, safety, and equal treatment for all.
Although legal and social acceptance has increased in many places, discrimination remains a serious issue in many other countries around the world where people face legal penalties, barriers to employment, housing, and healthcare, social exclusion, violence and even death.
Religious beliefs can sadly sometimes contribute to prejudice or discriminatory policies when they are used to justify unequal treatment, though many people and faith communities do also actively support LGBTQ+ inclusion and human rights.

05/06/2026

Our friends at HACA are hosting an event later this month for Refugee Week 2026...it is free and everyone is welcome 😊

31/05/2026

Wishing all in the Buddhist community a peaceful, reflective and joyful Vesak Day!


Vesak, also known as Buddha Day, it is the most sacred festival in Buddhism and commemorates the birth, enlightenment (Nirvana), and passing (Parinirvana) of Gautama Buddha.

Key Traditions and Celebrations
Spiritual Reflection:
Buddhists worldwide gather to meditate, listen to teachings, and reflect on the Buddha's core messages of peace, compassion, and non-violence.
Offerings:
Temples are adorned with flowers, candles, and colorful lanterns. Worshippers typically make offerings to shrines and bathe statues of the baby Buddha as a symbol of purifying their own minds and karma.
Acts of Generosity:
Giving to the less fortunate and partaking in community service are major pillars of the holiday.

29/05/2026

Wishing a peaceful, safe and blessed weekend to all communities.❤️🌍

29/05/2026

Wishing all in the Bahá’í community a blessed observance of the Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh!

Baha’u’llah, the Prophet-Founder of the Baha’i Faith, passed away on 29 May, 1892. This holy day is commemorated by Baha’is all over the world and is known as ‘The Ascension of Baha’u’llah’.
The final resting place of Baha’u’llah, the Shrine of Baha’u’llah, is located in Bahji (in present day Israel), and is the Point of Adoration to which Baha’is turn when reciting their Obligatory Prayer.
This solemn anniversary is a day of rest, and is often observed by reading or chanting from the scriptures.

On this holy day, Baha’is commemorate the earthly death and ascension of their prophet-founder Baha’u’llah in 1892, abstaining from work and reading the scriptures. Baha’u’llah's resting place in Bahji, Northern Israel - a shrine surrounded by an ornate garden - is the holiest site in the Baha’i faith: a place of pilgrimage as well as the 'Point of Adoration' which all Baha'is face in prayer.

Image Description: Text reads 'The Ascension of Baha'u'llah. May 29th 2026.' A cartoon graphic shows a black circle with a nine pointed star at its centre. The WIN logo is at the bottom of the image.

BahaiTeachings.org UK Baha'i Office of Public Affairs Baha'i Blog Baha'i International Community Bahá'í World News Service

27/05/2026

Eid Mubarak to all in the Muslim community celebrating Eid al-Adha


Eid al-Adha, or the "Festival of Sacrifice," is the second of the two major Islamic holidays celebrated globally. It commemorates the devotion and obedience of the Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) to Allah, when he showed readiness to sacrifice his son, Ismail. At the final moment, Allah spared the boy and replaced him with a ram. The holiday also marks the formal conclusion of the annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca.🕋

Core Traditions

Muslim communities observe several key rituals and sunnah acts during this sacred time:
Eid Salah: A special congregational prayer performed at mosques or open-air grounds shortly after sunrise.

Qurbani (Udhiya): Those who can afford it perform a symbolic animal sacrifice (usually a sheep, goat, cow, or camel).

Charity and Sharing: The sacrificial meat is split into three equal portions. One third goes to the family, one third to friends and neighbours, and the remaining third is donated to the poor and needy.

Festive Celebrations: Families dress in their best attire, exchange gifts (Eidi), and gather to share rich, traditional meals.

22/05/2026

Wishing a peaceful, safe and blessed bank holiday weekend to all communities.❤️🌍

21/05/2026

Happy Shavuot to all in the Jewish community celebrating this two day festival starting from sunset on May 21, until nightfall on May 23 this year.

Shavuot is a major Jewish holiday which coincides with historic giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai more than 3,000 years ago and marks the ancient wheat harvest. It is celebrated exactly seven weeks, 49 days of counting and preparing, after Passover and in ancient biblical times, it involved bringing the Bikkurim (first fruits) to the Temple in Jerusalem. Today, it bridges agriculture with profound spiritual devotion, celebrating the covenant with God.

Key Observances & Traditions

Tikkun Leil Shavuot: Staying up all night to study Torah, symbolizing eager anticipation and preparing to receive the law.

Reading the Book of Ruth: Recited in the synagogue, connecting the holiday to the spring barley harvest and Ruth’s loyalty to the Jewish faith.

Dairy Delights: Eating dairy foods like cheesecake, blintzes, and ice cream. This honors the Torah, which is compared to "milk and honey", and symbolizes the newly acquired kosher dietary laws.

Greeneries and Florals: Decorating synagogues and homes with greenery, flowers, and leaves to celebrate the springtime and the tradition that Mount Sinai bloomed with blossoms when the Torah was given.

Synagogue Attendance: Hearing the public reading of the Ten
Commandments.

17/05/2026

Just a reminder that our next coffee Wednesday meet up is Wednesday May 20th... so why not pop in anytime between 5.30 - 7pm. All regular and new faces are welcome. See you there! 😊
Please see our event post for further details.