AT this most important time in the Easter Christian Calendar, sadly we have once again seen the massacre of students who were singled out because they were Christians.

That is such an inhumane, brutal and cowardice act to intentionally kill people who were totally helpless. Our deepest sympathy and prayers go out to all victims and their families.

They were murdered along with many others of various faiths in Kenya, a place of origin for people like me and many thousands of Asians and others who arrived here in UK and made this welcoming country our home.

Sadly we are seeing this kind of persecutions in Syria, Iraq, Nigeria and other parts of the world where people are killed and made to suffer many indignities as they are Christians or of other faiths. These groups represent no faith on earth.

It is virtually impossible for many thousands of likeminded people who work for peace, harmony, building trust and respect in our communities to read into this twisted ideology of this mindless people who are destroying lives of millions of people in our global communities. It is beyond belief, that in today’s world they can do so much damage at will.

As an interfaith person and worker, we know no faith on earth tells one to harm, hurt, damage, loot and all the other wrongs this people carry out in name of their own thirst for greed and power.

The core virtues of kindness, compassion, empathy and respect for people of other faiths, people of no faiths, environment and all creatures is a fundamental thread in all our faiths. All faiths do believe in an old saying - “if you cannot do any good to anyone, please do not wish them any harm.”

One can only hope and pray that the global governments and likeminded people will come together to destroy this evil minded groups who ruin and inflict sufferings on innocent lives for very selfish reasons.

We have seen and read a lot about young people leaving this country to fight in Syria and other places. In Bolton, we have been fortunate to have the support of the Bolton Council, who has helped Bolton interfaith Council to co-ordinate the faith trails for schools and for anyone who wishes to know about other faiths and beliefs. This excellent project totally supported by our three major faith group partners, many places of worships , members of clergy, schools, community groups and many others have played a big part in ensuring young people do not get influenced by the people with wrong agenda as well as to break down barriers and perceptions.

There is an immense challenge ahead for interfaith work, which can only be achieved through sustainable support, partnership working, promoting mutual respect and understanding which cements such work and engages young people, parents and communities.

With the developments of young people being influenced by radicals there is a greater need for community groups to work much more with young people in various ways. On a positive note, Bolton is excellent in partnership working and there are many organisations which already do very good work with young people.

During the year, with support, we do numerous “Diversity” days at schools which are very helpful to give positive messages to young minds, staff and parents.

One has to be aware of changing communities locally and nationally, which can also present many new challenges for community cohesion.

As an interfaith organisation, we certainly will try to do more of community engagement work with young people in schools, colleges and community groups to ensure despite our outward differences, beliefs and cultures — we are all the same and the core values are at forefront of goodness to one another. For the work of BIC- Please log- www.boltoninterfaithcouncil.org.uk

Chan Parmar

Bolton Interfaith Council