University of Surrey Multi-Faith Centre to change shape of campus faith relations...
Monday 16 November 2009
Unique project seeks support as nation’s first Inter Faith Week takes place
The first ever national Inter Faith Week brings into sharp focus the value of the University of Surrey’s pioneering Multi-Faith Centre (MFC) project, which will showcase the ability of university campuses to foster religious and cultural understanding for the sake of peace worldwide.
The character of modern UK university campuses as global communities, featuring students from many societies, lends itself to the promotion of friendship and understanding between young people. Currently, around £800,000 of the £7m required for the project has been pledged or donated. The project leaders hope that Inter Faith Week will be the start of a collective awakening to the value of this project.
Canon Jonathan Frost, Co-ordinating Chaplain at the University of Surrey, said: “I don’t believe I overstate when I say that the University of Surrey Multi-Faith Centre is a project which really will help to change the world. Fostering understanding and friendships between the citizens and would-be leaders of tomorrow is essential.”
Elizabeth Simos, President of the Students’ Union, said: “An event such as Inter Faith Week shows a growing awareness that projects like the Multi-Faith Centre are vital. We invite public bodies, faith communities and private enterprise to support this project, help raise funds, and take the chance to be part of something which can bring genuinely global benefits.”
The University of Surrey was granted permission in 2007 to develop a Multi-Faith Centre on campus. Open to all students and staff, and linking with schools and colleges in the region, the Centre will provide dedicated space for Christians, Jews, Muslims and Sikhs and shared space for the practices of Hindu and Buddhist communities. It will also provide common areas and a café where people of all faiths and none can gather. It will be an inspirational model of peaceful co-existence and offer facilities to promote inter-faith programmes.
Individuals or organisations wishing to support the project through donations or fundraising activities are asked to contact: enquiries@surrey.ac.uk
The Multi-Faith Centre brochure is available to download at: http://www2.surrey.ac.uk/multifaithcentre/brochure/
Inter Faith Week runs from 15 to 21 November. Its aims are:
• To strengthen good inter faith relations at all levels;
• To increase awareness of the different and distinct faith communities in the UK, in particular celebrating and building on the contribution which their members make to their neighbourhoods and to wider society
• To increase understanding between people of religious and non-religious belief
Media Enquiries
Peter La, Press Office at the University of Surrey, Tel: +44 (0)1483 689191, or Email mediarelations@surrey.ac.uk
