Community cohesion will be at the top of the agenda when the Wakefield Interfaith Group welcome Baroness Sayeeda Warsi next week to give the group's first annual lecture.
Baroness Warsi was the first Muslim to serve in a British Cabinet and only resigned from Government in 2014 over its policy on Gaza.
The daughter to immigrants of Pakinstani origin, Baroness Warsi was born in Dewsbury and studied Law at Leeds University before setting up her own legal practice.
Sayeeda became involved with the Conservative Party and stood as a Parliamentary candidate in Dewsbury in 2005 before joining the House of Lords in 2007, making her the youngest peer in Parliament.
A racial justice campaigner, Sayeeda was appointed by David Cameron as Minister without Portfolio in 2010 and as Senior Minister of State in 2012.
Among her many achievements, Baroness Warsi was the first Asian to chair a major British political party after being appointed as Chairman of the Conservatives; she played a key role in helping to release British teacher Gillian Gibbons who was on trial for blasphemy in Sudan; she was instrumental in the launch of Operation Black Vote; she led the Government’s campaign to criminalise forced marriage; and she set up Project Maja which brought politicians and volunteers together in the poorest parts of Bosnia Herzegovina and Bangladesh.
Baroness Warsi worked closely with religious and community leaders to promote faith and encouraged Europe to strengthen its Christian identity.
Bishop Tony Robinson, Area bishop for Wakefield and a member of the Wakefield Interfaith group said: "I am delighted that Baroness Warsi has agreed to come and talk in Wakefield about how Faith Communities contribute to our community life. We need to develop even further relationships between the Faith Communities, increase understanding of each other and work together for the common good. "
The lecture will take place on Dec 11 at Wakefield Cathedral at 7pm. Admission free. All welcome.