Join faith and community leaders in an act of solidarity with all who suffer from conflict and war in the Middle East and across the world; and to stand in unity against all forms of hatred, racism and division.
The vigil will take place at Bonn Square, Oxford at 7pm, Sunday 6 October 2024.
We stand together here in Oxfordshire as religious and community leaders to say that we must continue the good work that has taken place over many years of building friendships, mutual love, understanding and trust between all our communities.
We support and encourage all those working to facilitate honest and respectful conversations and to strengthen the network of good relations, friendships and trust between our communities of which we in Oxfordshire are so proud.
Let peace, understanding and unity, be the solution.
Imam Monawar Hussain (Founder, The Oxford Foundation)
Mark Simon (President of the Oxford Jewish Congregation)
The Rt Revd Dr Steven Croft (Bishop of Oxford)
Councillor Susan Brown (Leader of Oxford City Council
About the Oxfordshire Faith and Community Leaders’ group
The Bishop of Oxford and Imam Monawar Hussain first hosted faith and community leaders from across Oxfordshire on Monday 17 October 2023. The group has met regularly over the last year to give a collective voice in promoting understanding, peace, and strong community relations across the area.
In addition, a Thames Valley Leaders’ Group has also been formed and we have also supported the formation of similar leaders’ groups in Berkshire and Buckinghamshire.
See the list of faith and community leaders below.
List of members in alphabetical order:
Fiaz Ahmed, Shaikh Bin Baaz Mosque
Professor Alexander Betts, University Local & Global Engagement Officer, University of Oxford
Mark Bhagwandin, Secretary, Oxford Hindu Temple and Community Centre Project
The Revd Canon Dr Charlotte Bannister-Parker, Founder, Hope4Creation
Cllr Susan Brown, Leader, Oxford City Council
The Revd Anthony Buckley, City Rector
The Venerable Jonathan Chaffey, Archdeacon of Oxford
Rt Revd Gavin Collins, Bishop of Dorchester
The Rt Revd Dr Steven Croft, Bishop of Oxford
Surinder Dhesi DL, Banbury Sikh Community
Anneliese Dodds, MP
Penny Faust, Former Chair of Oxford Council of Faiths & Jewish community
Professor Alistair Fitt, Vice Chancellor, Oxford Brookes University
Louise Gordon, Vice President, Oxford Jewish Congregation
Caroline Green, Chief Executive, Oxford City Council
Imam Monawar Hussain, Founder, The Oxford Foundation
Mutahar Islam, South Oxfordshire Muslim Community
Sadat Khan, President, Madina Mosque (representing Oxford Three Mosques)
Layla Moran, MP
Jawaid Malik, JP, Vice Chair, Oxford Council of Faiths and Chair, Asian Cultural Centre Association
Superintendent Bruce Riddell, LPA for the city of Oxford
Mark Simon, President of the Oxford Jewish Congregation
Professor Tim Soutphommasane, Chief Diversity Officer, University of Oxford
Rebecca Vickers, Chair, Oxford Council of Faiths
Dr. Reuven Ziegler, Jewish community
Alongside this list there is support from a wider range of faith and community leaders.