The responses to the call for
evidence, will provide vital feedback from across
England’s multi-faith society to inform the
root-and-branch review by Faith Engagement Adviser,
. The
call for evidence will close on Friday 11 December.
The review aims to examine how government can best
celebrate the contribution of faith groups, break down
barriers and promote acceptance between faiths, and
promote shared values while also tackling cultures and
practices that are harmful.
It will then provide recommendations to the Communities
Secretary by summer 2021 on how government responds to
each of these themes.
Faith and Communities Minister
said:
Faith remains at the heart of public life and we fully
support the invaluable work being done by people around
the country who are inspired by their faith.
There has been no greater testament to this than people
from all faiths coming together during the pandemic
to support the most vulnerable – giving our elderly and
isolated neighbours help and support.
We do not, however, take this for granted and the
independent review will ensure that we are maintaining
close and productive relationships with faith groups
across the country of all traditions.
, the
government’s Faith Engagement Adviser, said:
England is a successful multi-faith society, and we
have some of the strongest protections in the world to
allow people to practise their faith or belief.
Through this independent review, I am looking to see if
we can build on those foundations to ensure that
government’s engagement with faith groups is as good as
it can possibly be.
So that my recommendations will be based on hard
evidence, I want to make sure we engage with the widest
possible spectrum of society – those with a faith and
those with no faith at all.
The call for evidence will pose a series of questions
around how those of all faiths, or none, perceive the
government’s engagement with faith organisations.
This will feature questions on whether places of worship
and people of faith are a force for good in society,
alongside how government can recognise and support their
contribution to communities.
There will also be an opportunity for views on how best
to break down barriers and promote acceptance between
faith and belief groups, including those of no faith or
belief, reviewing opportunities for cooperation between
these organisations.
This is alongside steps government can take to promote
freedom of religion, the values of freedom of speech,
democracy, the rule of law and equality, while
simultaneously tackling cultures and practices that are
harmful.
