United Religions Initiative members from Europe and the USA visited the United Kingdom to discuss the organisation’s work and share new ideas.
Among the high-profile members were Preeta Bansal, a former senior policy advisor to President Obama and the executive director of URI, and Jerry White, a campaigner and humanitarian activist who won the 1997 Nobel Peace Prize for his work in banning landmines.
Ms Bansal, an American social entrepreneur, is the Global Chair of the United Religions Initiative (URI), the world’s largest interfaith organisation.Â
The group visited the West Midlands, Leicester, and London on 1st – 4th March 2024.
Ending religiously motivated violence
Nishkam Centre, Birmingham
To facilitate personal, community, civic, and sustainable transformation, guided by the practice of selfless service, for the well-being of communities, the environment, and all creation.
Creating cultures of peace, justice and healing for the Earth and all living things.
Shri Venkateswara (Balaji) Temple, Dudley.
One of the largest functioning Hindu temples in Europe. It is dedicated in the Vaishnava tradition to a form of the Hindu god Vishnu. The temple consists of seven hills on the site, showing respect for seven major faiths and reflecting the seven peaks of Shri Venkateswara Temple in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, India. It took the concept of 7 peaks and created seven faith hills in the temple complex. Each of the seven Faith hills represents seven major faiths in the United Kingdom and India.
Fragility of Interfaith
South Asian Health Authority (SAHA), Leicester.
South Asian Health Action (SAHA) are a growing charity based in Leicester, seeking to engage with, educate and empower the South Asian community on health challenges facing the community.
Promoting enduring, daily interfaith cooperation to address social issues.
Coventry Cathedral.
The Cathedral Church of Saint Michael, commonly known as Coventry Cathedral, is the seat of the Bishop of Coventry and the Diocese of Coventry within the Church of England.
Working effectively to address religiously motivated violence.
New North London Synagogue.
21st-century synagogue dedicated to orthodox Masorti Judaism, also a community and teaching hub.
