The Hants & Dorset Three Faiths Forum forges ahead

How we fit into the regional picture.

The Hants & Dorset Three Faiths Forum was founded in 2002 and has gradually established a key role within the developing regional interfaith network as it promotes the aims and the work of our London based Forum.

The regional structure works like this. The government initiative “Face to face” and “side by side” works through organisations such as the “South East England Faiths Forum” with which we are linked. The “Hampshire Interfaith Network”, a local government initiative, promotes dialogue throughout Hampshire but excludes the unitary authorities which have their own urban organisations such as “The Southampton Council of Faiths”.

This is where we are able to help complete the picture. The Hants & Dorset Three Faiths Forum performs a complimentary role in the region by linking up the Jewish community (largely in Bournemouth) with the Muslim community (most numerous in Southampton) and of course the Christian community which is well represented over the whole area. The co-operation of our interfaith organisations working together in different ways thereby provides an effective network throughout the region.

Who are we?

Well, three co-ordinators, one from each faith, Rev’d Tim Selwood from the Diocese of Winchester, Gillian Dawson from the Reform Synagogue in Bournemouth and Samir Dimachkie from the Muslim community.

We are fortunate in that Samir acts as our administrator as well as being a co-ordinator. Samir was born in Jeddah to a Lebanese Muslim father and a Christian mother, being brought up to appreciate the common values shared by the Abrahamic faiths, studying Islam from an early age and performing Haj.

This has enabled him to develop a real vision for our interfaith dialogue which, when combined with his management skills and a lifetime of experience in the aviation travel industry, means he is exceptionally well equipped for his role. In 2009 he was elected to the committee of SEEFF which is another valuable regional link for us.

What are we up to?

During the summer of 2009 we decided to embark on an introductory programme to help people who have not experienced interfaith dialogue to do so. This was to involve our local Mosques, Synagogue and Churches in hosting meetings on their own premises.

We had a wonderful start in October when we were invited to the Medina and Abu Bakr Mosques in Southampton to hear speakers from each faith on the subject “How to treat a stranger”. It was inspiring to hear an Imam, a Rabbi and an Archdeacon sharing their faiths with a gathering of about 200 people at the Medina. It was a really heart warming theme followed up by a short walk to the Abu Bakr for more words of welcome and refreshments.

We now plan to hold similar events at a local Synagogue and then at a harvest festival service in one of our Winchester City Churches.

However, we constantly have to explore new ways of engaging people in this dialogue, so on 21st February we are holding a series of workshops at Winchester University to develop new ideas for the future. Anyone interested in attending this or any of our other events should contact…
Samir via email or telephone 07895 805 133.

What more is there?

We are but one of several regional groups but we tend to be a little like the planets, going round our own orbits but seldom meeting. There is much we need to learn from each other and there are others who would like to start new regional groups.

What about a day conference where we can explore a few ideas?

Every blessing for 2010 from the Hants & Dorset 3FF.