Dewsbury faith leaders stepped out together with representatives from several other community and faith groups on Saturday for a Faith Walk to celebrate the town’s diversity and to discuss their role in improving the future of Dewsbury.
The Walk was led by the Rt Revd Jonathan Gibbs, Bishop of Huddersfield who walked with the group from Dewsbury Minster to Savile Town Mosque to meet Imam Rafaqat Ali.
The Walk started at 11am and talk focused on how the diverse faith communities in Dewsbury can work together to continue building a bright future for the town and for those who live locally.
Imam Rafaqat Ali says, “Peace is at the heart of all faiths and faith is about sharing love and providing charity - it’s not about spreading hate and fear.
“By walking together we are taking the first steps to a shared vision for a brighter future where we celebrate difference and embrace similarities.”
The Rt Revd Jonathan Gibbs adds, “Dewsbury is a fantastic place where people get along with one another and share a passion for their communities and the future of the town.
“We wanted to do this walk to celebrate the people who live here and show that regardless of faith or race it is possible to live together in harmony and work together.”
The Walk comes after other events organised by the two communities last year to promote the town’s diversity, including a clergy vs Imams cricket match in September 2015 and a football match in July 2015 which was featured on the BBC’s One Show.
Read about the clergy vs Imams cricket match here: http://www.westyorkshiredales.anglican.org/content/clergy-vs-imams-cricket-match-success-after-one-show-football-game-goes-global
Read about the football match featured on the One Show here: http://www.westyorkshiredales.anglican.org/content/clergy-tug-war-victory-one-show