‘We commit ourselves in a spirit of friendship and co-operation to work together as people of faith for a just and inclusive Scotland’

The aim of the Scottish Inter Faith Council is to advance public knowledge and mutual understanding of the teachings, traditions and practices of the different faith communities in Scotland including awareness of both their distinctive features and of their common ground and to promote good relations between persons of different religious faiths. It offers a religiously neutral forum where representatives of faith communities can meet on a basis of equality and engage in dialogue and conversation about matters of religious and civic importance. It also attempts to facilitate dialogue between the Scottish Executive and faith communities on a variety of issues. The Scottish Inter Faith Council’s aim is to create opportunities for faith communities to speak for themselves in this dialogue rather than claiming to speak on their behalf. It encourages the formation of local inter faith associations and tries to assist and support them in their work.

The Scottish Inter Faith Council enjoys close links with The Inter Faith Network for the United Kingdom and also the active involvement and support of many of Scotland’s faith communities and inter faith organizations. The Scottish Inter Faith Council also supports Scottish Inter Faith Week (see below).

Scottish Inter Faith Week 2007

25 November - 2 December

The aim of Inter Faith Week is to promote dialogue, understanding, and co-operation between Scotland's diverse religious communities. This initiative was born out of the recognition that religious communities can no longer afford to exist in isolation from each other but must seek, instead, to replace barriers of prejudice and fear with bonds of friendship, in order to build a better Scotland for all.  

Inter Faith Week is supported by Scotland's religious leaders, the Scottish Executive and the Scottish Parliament. Religious leaders, Government Ministers and MSPs will attend various events throughout the week.

“In today's climate it is crucial that faith communities work together towards greater understanding and cooperation. Scottish Inter Faith Week provides an important opportunity for people to get involved in this work, to meet their neighbours and build on friendships which ensure a more cohesive and harmonious future for Scotland.”

- Imam Mustaqeem Shah, UK Islamic Mission , Glasgow

"I am very honoured to be able to participate in Inter Faith Week along with the other faith groups.  I think it is extremely important that myself and others, as faith leaders, make every effort to set an example to our followers, so that all the different faiths in our country can live happily together to ensure a brighter future for Scotland .”

- Venerable Lama Yeshe Losal Rinpoche, Samye Ling Tibetan Buddhist Monastery, Dumfriesshire

“Inter Faith Week is a chance for inter faith groups to focus on getting people together who may never before have mixed with people of different faith backgrounds, though they may have lived in the same neighborhoods for years. This kind of positive engagement counteracts the mistrust and prejudice which can so easily take hold.”

- R osemary Eddy, Dundee Inter Faith Association

Inter Faith Week 2006

Scottish Inter Faith Week 2006 was a resounding success and included three national events: a launch attended by over 150 people at Glasgow University; a Religious Leaders Conference in Edinburgh City Chambers and a National Youth Conference at Edinburgh University. What was even more exciting was the numerous local events held all over Scotland . In some places many events were held, in others single (but nonetheless successful) events took place and in Edinburgh an excellent programme was produced. We look forward to working closely with local inter faith groups, schools, universities and others to make Inter Faith Week 2007 another week to remember. In January a newsletter highlighting Scottish Inter Faith Week will be complete - for your postal copy please email maureen@interfaithscotland.org stating your name and address. A text only version is also available via email.