Near Neighbours Luton

05/06/2026

World Environment Day TODAY
5 June
A Global Call for Climate Action

World Environment Day aims to inspire more people than ever before to take action to prevent the growing strain on planet Earth’s natural systems from reaching the breaking point.

03/06/2026

https://www.lutontoday.co.uk/your-world/faith-matters-message-of-condolence-and-unity-after-southampton-tragedy-8651357

This week’s Luton News Faith Matters Column

It is deeply heart-breaking to learn of the tragic incident involving two young people in Southampton, in which Henry Nowak lost his life, as a result of another young person, Vickrum Digwa, allegedly using a dagger (different to Kirpan that initiated Sikhs are required by their faith to carry).

“On behalf of Sikh organisations and communities across the country, we express our deepest condolences for the tragic loss of life, and our thoughts and prayers remain with the Nowak family and loved ones during this profoundly difficult time”, stated UK Sikh representative organisations in a statement released soon after the incident.

The statement further noted, “This incident as reported does not align with the Sikh faith, the Sikh community, or the principles it stands for. Sikh teachings are founded on compassion, justice, humility, responsibility, and service to humanity. The Sikh community remains peaceful, well-integrated, and a deeply valued part of British society.”

“We respectfully urge everyone to allow the judicial process to proceed fairly and without prejudice, and to refrain from drawing broad assumptions or judgments about the Sikh faith or Sikh religious practices based on an individual case.”

Despite these appeals, a leading figure within the UK Sikh Federation has reported a significant rise in hate crime, with members of the Sikh community being unfairly targeted and demonised in the aftermath of this tragedy.

At the Luton Council of Faiths, faith leaders from across our town have consistently affirmed the values of freedom, fairness, tolerance, and mutual respect. Luton faith communities take great pride in the contributions made by the town’s diverse communities. The services of Luton’s Sikh community form an integral part of local life. During and following the Covid-19 pandemic, their efforts have strengthened our town’s social, cultural, and economic fabric.

Unfortunate and tragic incidents like these could happen in any of our diverse communities. The actions of an individual from a particular community breaking the law shouldn’t be used to demonise and stigmatise that entire community.

Let us remain united, stay true to our shared values, and continue to reject all forms of division and hatred. Only by standing together in solidarity with one another, can we move forward stronger, and contribute collectively to the common good.

Faith Matters: Message of condolence and unity after Southampton tragedy

22/05/2026

This week’s Luton News Faith Matters Column

https://www.lutontoday.co.uk/your-world/clarity-over-anxiety-a-call-for-honest-dialogue-8551024

Clarity Over Anxiety: A Call for Honest Dialogue

In a diverse culture shaped by strong and competing ideas, confusion and anxiety are natural, but using it to deliberately spread misinformation, to mislead, and manipulate is unacceptable.

Ryad Khodabocus, Head of Luton Council of Faiths, reflected that in a time of noise, we must choose clarity over anxiety. He reflected on last Saturday’s events in London that revealed a society under strain, economically, culturally, and psychologically, shaped by uncertainty about the future and competing narratives about identity, belonging, and security.

Brexit, the pandemic, rising living costs, housing pressures, and global instability have all combined to deepen a sense of unease across Britain. Many working-class communities feel under severe pressure. Many middle-income families feel increasingly insecure despite working hard and contributing to public life. When pressure accumulates in society, public discourse becomes more reactive, more emotional, and more vulnerable to distortion. Debates on migration, integration, housing, inequality, and public services are shaped by emotion, selective perception, and political advantage rather than facts.

Ryad added that normalisation of anti-Muslim hatred in public discourse is a growing concern. Muslims in Britain are increasingly subject to suspicion, stereotyping, and collective blame. When faith identity becomes a proxy for political frustration or cultural anxiety, social cohesion is weakened and trust between communities erodes.

Equally, antisemitism continues to reappear in new and sometimes unexpected forms, particularly in moments of heightened global tension. Christian communities also experience discrimination in different ways, when they are vulnerable minorities. No community should be reduced to a stereotype. Every human being deserves dignity. History tells that our ancestors were not strangers to difference. We must inherit their examples of coexistence.

And that is what we are doing in Luton, where co-existence is witnessed daily in shared schools, workplaces, and neighbourhoods. Not without challenges, but with ongoing cooperation that often receives little attention in polarised debates. This lived reality matters. It is precious and must be preserved at all costs.

No society can build a stable future through fear alone or narratives disconnected from evidence. What is required now is clarity, leadership accountable to facts, and public debate grounded in evidence, and a shared commitment to seeing one another as citizens committed to act justly. And this hope is not abstract. It is already being lived in Luton.

Faith Matters by David Jonathan, Grassroots & Luton Council of Faiths

16/05/2026

Herts Together takes a stand against hate
https://www.stalbansdiocese.org/news/herts-together-takes-a-stand-against-hate
Friday 15 May 2026
People from across Hertfordshire gathered at St Albans Cathedral on Friday 15 May for Herts Together Standing Against Hate, a short public act of unity and reassurance in response to rising antisemitism, Islamophobia and other forms of hate. Civic, faith and community leaders came together to send a clear message that the county stands against hatred and division, with contributions from the Bishop of Hertford, the Rt Revd Jane Mainwaring, and the Lord‑Lieutenant of Hertfordshire, Robert Voss.

People across Hertfordshire gathered at St Albans Cathedral for Herts Together Standing Against Hate, showing unity and solidarity in response to rising hate.

14/05/2026

“We Are Luton”: Faith Leaders Unite Against Hate

At a time of growing anxiety about the normalisation of racism, hatred and division, “We Are Luton” Faith Leaders Gathering held at St Mary’s Church demonstrated solidarity, unity and a shared purpose.

Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Quaker and Bahá’í speakers reaffirmed Luton’s long standing tradition of interfaith cooperation, friendship and mutual care. Speakers were clear that hatred and fear must never discourage our town’s compassionate community action.

Mr Sujel Miah of the Luton Council of Mosques reflected on the fear many people feel amid rising political extremism, but said the gathering itself was a reminder of hope. “Luton is a town of many faces and traditions, but we are one community,” he said, emphasising a shared responsibility to challenge prejudice and stand with those targeted by hate.

Echoing this, Mr Ryad Khodabocus, Head of the Luton Council of Faith, stressed that Luton’s strength lies in relationships built over decades. He described the gathering as a form of “community based psychological first aid” — helping reduce fear, rebuild trust and remind people that they are not alone.

Christian leaders addressed the misinterpretation of Christianity by extremists, making clear that Christian faith calls for love of neighbour, justice, reconciliation and peace; it should not be used to fuel division, hostility or fear.

Mr Brian Green, President of the Luton United Synagogue highlighted the importance of reclaiming responsibility from polarised politics by building strong, honest relationships between communities.

Mr Harjot Singh, President of the Guru Nanak Gurdwara, described the gathering as “family”. Mr Colin Hall, a Quaker, shared that the spirit of togetherness “felt like Paradise”. Mr Yogesh Mistry, a Hindu, and Mr Janaka Alahapperuma, a Buddhist, spoke of compassion, coexistence and mindful relationships beyond labels. Mr Farzad Forghani, Bahá’í representative, described humankind as “flowers of one garden”.

A message from HM Lord Lieutenant of Bedfordshire, Susan Lousada, affirmed that Luton embodies the King’s vision of Britain as a “community of communities.” She thanked Luton’s faith leaders, Grassroots and the Luton Council of Faiths, for over 30 years’ work of building trust, harmony and shared identity.

The event was supported by Hope Not Hate, Near Neighbours, Feast Youth Project, Luton Council and the Bedfordshire Police.

'We Are Luton': Faith Leaders Unite Against Hate

29/04/2026

Empowering Faith Communities Through Media Training

https://www.lutontoday.co.uk/your-world/empowering-faith-communities-through-media-training-7815182

Most faith communities struggle to engage on social media or highlight their positive work online. This means their peace building inter-faith initiatives frequently go under represented or unnoticed online. This vacuum allows hateful and extremist actors to dominate social media spaces, propagating online hate, misinformation, cause religious tensions, and digital radicalisation. To address this challenge and strengthen the media skills and technical knowledge of faith leaders, Grassroots and the Luton Council of Faiths (LCoF) organised a media training session delivered by the London based Religion & Media Centre. The training focused on creating engaging online content, and understanding how social media platform algorithms work to increase online visibility.

The LCoF Chair Prof Zafar Khan, said, “Research on online extremism shows that anger, outrage, fear spread faster than positive, community building, and constructive news. This creates vulnerability for young people as extremists often use social media to target youth. It is therefore vital that we improve our digital literacy to develop new skills and insights. Our digital capacity must enable a better access to art, storytelling projects, and multimedia content that celebrate cultural diversity & identity.”

Ryad Khodabocus, Head of LCoF added, “The training focused on building confidence in telling positive stories using simple tools, such as a mobile phone. Faith leaders were given hands on opportunities to create social media content, and the ‘hot seat’ interview role plays offered a real taste of responding to challenging questions from journalists.”

Acknowledging the “strong talent in the room,” trainers Ruth Peacock and Dan Forshaw offered constructive feedback, praising participants’ delivery as well paced and impactful. They noted that some early responses could have been more focused and concise, as initial nervousness led to longer answers. Nevertheless, they felt the core messages came through clearly. The trainers encouraged Luton faith leaders to be brave in expanding their presence across radio, television, and social media, emphasising the importance of their motivation and purpose in showcasing positive community work, that will no doubt strengthen and uplift the community spirit in Luton.

We are grateful to the Near Neighbours Programme for supporting this training. Near Neighbours has always highlighted the importance of collaboration across communities and organisations, recognising that the success lies in fostering meaningful connections across faiths, and cultures, offering deeper engagement and helping communities learn from one another’s lived experiences.

29/04/2026

Sign up to free Faith Security Training (FST) to enhance security knowledge and practices within your place of worship and faith community.

22/04/2026

This week’s Luton News Faith Matters Column FYI

https://www.lutontoday.co.uk/news/people/near-neighbours-programme-supports-faith-leaders-re-training-6913211

As Luton Council of Faiths (LCoF) celebrates it's 30th anniversary, it started this year with the Kite Mark Training from UK’s RE (Religious Education) Hub for over 30 faith leaders from across Hindu, Buddhist, Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Sikh, Bahá'í faiths in Luton. The training is about how religious groups, faith representatives, and visitors can support religious education (RE) in schools effectively, safely, and in line with UK educational expectations.

Ryad Khodabocus, Head of LCoF said, “In the current UK climate of heightened social and religious sensitivities, it is about learning best practice for hosting visitors and visiting schools, avoiding unintended misunderstandings and safeguarding communities. Our faith traditions are gifts to humanity as they produce compassion, wisdom and service. When children meet religion, they should encounter mercy, dignity, and hope - not fear or division.”

The Training Session explored Legal Framework of RE in England, purpose and nature of RE, why visitors and places of worship matter, working with children & developmental issues e.g. how schools operate and what faith visitors must understand, safeguarding & safety during visits, and how faith groups can offer support beyond visits.

The Trainer, Claire Clinton, England & Wales – Lead Director RE Hub UK, explained that faith visitors should share, not persuade, avoid negative comparisons with other religions, avoid generalisations, speak from their own traditions and practices acknowledging diversity within their religions, keep presentations short, allow plenty of time for questions and interactive elements, and redirect a discussion, if necessary.

Prof Zafar Khan, LCoF Chair said, “The overall aim is to ensure that our inter-faith encounters are appropriate and relevant in a British cultural context, and that we speak about different faiths with integrity and respect using an inclusive language, avoiding the language that may unintentionally come across as judgmental and coercive to sectarian views. This training and our guidelines produced will help us celebrate a healthy pride in being British and English, recognising that national identity, civic belonging, and cultural heritage can coexist with openness, pluralism, and shared values, while we must continue to firmly reject the scapegoating of minority ethnic or faith communities as a response to social or economic anxiety.”

We are grateful to Near Neighbours Programme for supporting this training, and thanks to our partners, Grassroots & Feast for assistance.

Faith Matters by David Jonathan, Grassroots & Luton Council of Faiths

15/04/2026

https://www.lutontoday.co.uk/news/opinion/sri-lankan-new-year-brings-communities-together-in-luton-6572505

Nearly 200 people attended the third Luton Sri Lankan New Year celebration, organised last weekend by an upcoming local community organization, the Luton Sri Lankans Welfare Association (LSLWA). The event brought together families, children, and guests from diverse backgrounds to celebrate Sri Lankan culture, heritage, and unity. Attendees enjoyed a rich programme of traditional music, dance performances, colourful cultural costumes, fun games for children, and delicious Sri Lankan food, with warm hospitality.

Religious leaders from the Letchworth Dhamma Nikethanaya Buddhist Temple graced the occasion and extended the traditional greeting Ayubowan – wishing everyone a long and happy life. The Venerable Akurala Bhante Samitha welcomed all and commended the LSLWA for its vital role in fostering a strong, supportive community environment, particularly for children growing up away from their homeland. He emphasised the importance of maintaining emotional and cultural connections to one’s roots to nurture responsible citizens and harmonious communities.
Reflecting on Sri Lanka’s 3,000-year-old civilisation, he highlighted traditional values of unity, gratitude to nature, strong family ties, and community-based celebrations bringing people of all backgrounds together. He offered blessings for peace, happiness, and a prosperous Sri Lankan New Year for all.

The event was hosted by the Catholic Church of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus in Stopsley. The Parish Priest Rev Fr Allan R Jones CRIC warmly welcomed all and reflected on the New Year as a universal time for renewal, reflection, and hope. Acknowledging that different cultures celebrate New Year at different times, he stressed the shared purpose of learning from the past while embracing the future.

Bedfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner John Tizard praised the celebration as an excellent example of cultural pride and contribution, highlighting Luton’s diversity of heritage and faith. He applauded the Sri Lankan community for celebrating their culture while respecting others, reinforcing unity, peace, and mutual respect. He also reaffirmed the police commitment to equal protection for all.

Deputy Mayor of Luton, Cllr Shahanara Naser, also recognised the LSLWA’s strong community impact, particularly its focus on empowering young people through inclusive activities that build confidence, leadership, and social responsibility, contributing to safer, more connected neighbourhoods.

The celebration concluded on a joyful note, wishing all Sri Lankans in Luton a very Happy and Prosperous New Year.