WELCOME TO HARROW INTERFAITH

Faith communities are in a wider network of organisations involved in keeping people safe, such as local authorities, the police, the NHS and schools.

They are also part of a wider network of faith-based organisations, including those representing different religious communities.

We believe that faith communities need to look outwards and seek support and opportunities to learn from others.

Our aim is to:

• Get the foundations right by having good and well-understood policies and procedures in place
• Create clear leadership and governance structures so that everyone connected to their communities knows who to go to for help
• Ensure staff and volunteers are trained and confident so that they understand what to be aware of and how to respond to concerns or issues

Gallery

Gopaljeet Bhachu, Chair of Harrow Interfaith, was invited by the Focolare Movement - which was founded in Italy in 1943 – to a four-day interreligious conference at the Mariapolis Centre in Castel Gandolfo, the traditional Papal summer residence in Rome. The theme was “One Human Family”. On Monday the 3rd June 150 of us at the Conference were invited to meet His Holiness, the Pope in the Clementin Hall at the Vatican. It was an honour to have the opportunity to personally meet and shake the hand of His Holiness Pope Francis, in my capacity not only as Chair of Harrow Interfaith but also as Ambassador and Advisor to City Sikhs in London. We spoke about my Interfaith work in Harrow and across London with City Sikhs and also about the work I do for Bereavement Care as their Chair of Trustees in Harrow and surrounding Boroughs.

Towards the end of his address to us, His Holiness Pope Francis said, and I quote:

“Dear friends, your witness is a source of joy and consolation, especially in this time of conflict, when religion is often misused in order to fuel division. Indeed, Interreligious dialogue "is a necessary condition for peace in the world, and so it is a duty for Christians as well as other communities." I encourage you, then, to move forward, always open and docile to the action of the Holy Spirit. I offer my heartfelt thanks for your visit! May the Gift of Peace bless you and may our Lady watch over you. Please do not forget to pray for me”.

Speaking at the Holocaust Memorial Day event on 25 January 2024.

Chair of Harrow Interfaith, Gopaljeet S Bhachu with the Indian High Commissioner, His Excellency Mr Vikram Doraiswami. January 2024.

Chair of Harrow Interfaith - Gopal Bhachu- in conversation with the Archbishop of Cyprus - at the Greek Church in Harrow - during Interfaith Week November 2023.

This is the Prayers for Peace event by Harrow Interfaith on 16th October 2023. All faith leaders spoke at this event.

Chair of Harrow Interfaith, Gopal Bhachu, with the King's Deputy Lieutenant , Simon Ovens, at the Beacon Lighting ceremony on the day of the Royal Coronation.

Chair of Harrow Interfaith - Gopaljeet Bhachu - paying his respects at the 9/11 Memorial & Museum in New York City on 11th September 2022.