After being contacted by a concerned constituent, Theresa Villiers has helped secure Government funding for the Inter Faith Network.
This organisation works to support mutual respect and understanding between people of different faith community and bring them together. A few weeks ago, they were told that their funding from the Department of Levelling Up Communities and Local Government would be discontinued, leaving them at risk of closure.
Esmond Rosen of the Barnet Multi Faith Forum appealed to Theresa to help and she got to work with other Parliamentarians to lobby Ministers to save the network, requesting an urgent meeting with Communities Secretary, Michael Gove. A few weeks later, the IFN were told by DLUHC that their funding would be restored up to spring 2024.
Welcoming the news, Theresa said: “It is a great relief that the threat of closure has been lifted from the Inter Faith Network.”
“IFN’s work supporting the local grass roots community faith organisations is really valuable. They play a crucial role in convening Inter Faith Week when people of all faiths and none come together to support hundreds of events and activities, contributing to diversity, inclusion, and religious literacy.”
“Inter Faith Week enhances the understanding and compassion between people of religious and non-religious beliefs. This celebration and the building of relationships with and between faith groups has a lasting and positive impact on maintaining safe and peaceful neighbourhoods.”
“If IFN had closed down, this might have jeopardised the whole future of Inter Faith Week. I know that my constituents involved in the Barnet Multi Faith Forum would have been very worried to lose this important event. So I am pleased to have been able to assist the IFN in securing funding for a further year.”
