Interfaith Practice Today

While theologians debate the theoretical questions of how religions relate to one another, interfaith practitioners around the world are engaged in the practical work of building relationships, promoting understanding, and addressing shared challenges across religious boundaries. This lesson examines the major contemporary institutions and initiatives that shape interfaith practice, including local grassroots work, the Interfaith Network for the UK, the Parliament of the World`s Religions, and the landmark Muslim-Christian initiative A Common Word Between Us and You.

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Local Interfaith Initiatives

The Grassroots Level

The most widespread and arguably most important interfaith work takes place at the local level — in towns, cities, and neighbourhoods where people of different faiths live side by side. Local interfaith initiatives take many forms:

Interfaith councils and forums. Most towns and cities in the UK (and many other countries) have a local interfaith council or forum that brings together representatives of the major faith communities. These bodies typically organise events, coordinate responses to community issues, and provide a platform for dialogue. In the UK, there are over 240 local interfaith organisations affiliated with the Interfaith Network.