Faith leaders from across Birmingham gathered on the 11^th November 2025 at the Queen’s Foundation for the latest meeting of the Birmingham Faith Leaders’ Group (BFLG).

Held during National Interfaith Week 2025, the gathering offered a rare opportunity for dialogue between Birmingham’s senior faith leaders and students preparing for ministry and community leadership. Together, they reflected on the roots, purpose, and future of the BFLG, a group that, for over two decades, has embodied the city’s commitment to peace and understanding. Founded in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, the Birmingham Faith Leaders’ Group has served for over two decades as a moral and civic voice for peacebuilding and unity – born out of tragedy, but sustained by hope, to ensure that the voices of faith in Birmingham would always be a force for unity, not division. The Group has stood together to denounce violence, promote compassion, and issue joint statements following incidents of terrorism, antisemitism, Islamophobia, and community division.

Bishop Anne Hollinghurst, former member of the BFLG and now Principal at the Queen’s Foundation host of the meeting, welcomed faith leaders, students, and tutors together. The meeting brought together representatives from Birmingham’s diverse faith communities, alongside theology students and tutors, to discuss the importance of interfaith collaboration, the origins and purpose of the BFLG, and how faith leadership can continue to build peace and solidarity across the city. It was unfortunate that other members of the BFLG, Archbishop Bernard Longley, Bishop Michael Volland, Dr Ottara Nyana and Dinesh Chauhan could not join the event.

Pat Whitney, Chair of the BFLG, commented; “During the meeting, leaders shared reflections on the theme of Festivals and Feast Days, exploring how diverse traditions mark moments of joy and renewal, and how such observances can foster deeper understanding across communities. It is important for us to wok together, celebrate together and be there for each other during troubled time”.

Examples of peacebuilding over the years were shared by leaders and references made to the development of the Peace Charter, which seeks to embed peacebuilding practices in civic and community life, and explored ways to inspire the next generation of faith and community leaders. The question-and-answer session with the students enabled deeper understanding and significance of interfaith collaboration and solidarity.

Amrick Singh Ubhi, Director of Civic Engagement and Partnerships and past Chair of the BFLG said: “For more than twenty years, Birmingham’s faith leaders have stood shoulder to shoulder. Our shared commitment to peacebuilding, justice, and solidarity continues to guide how we respond to the challenges of our time, and how we prepare the next generation to lead with compassion.”

As the meeting concluded, one theme resonated deeply, the importance of developing the next generation of faith and community leaders who will carry forward this mission of peacebuilding, dialogue, and solidarity.
The Birmingham Faith Leaders’ Group will continue its regular meetings, deepening collaboration across the city’s faith communities and contributing to a shared vision of peace.

ENDS

Birmingham marked the launch of National Interfaith Week 2025 with a vibrant and inspiring event held at the Council House, Victoria Square, on Friday 7th November 2025. The gathering brought together faith leaders, civic representatives, and community organisations to celebrate Birmingham’s rich diversity and shared commitment to peace, understanding and social justice.

Hosted by the Birmingham Council of Faiths (BCF), the afternoon programme included readings, music, reflections, and a ceremonial lighting of candles and faith flags — symbolising unity across traditions. During his opening address, the Chair of BCF, Jimmy Suratia, welcomed and acknowledged the presence of the Lord Mayor, the High Sheriff and Amrick Singh Ubhi DL. 

Opening the event, Cllr Zafar Iqbal, the Lord Mayor of Birmingham, welcomed attendees and reflected on how Birmingham had always been a city of many faiths and cultures living side by side. Interfaith Week reminds us of the power of understanding and dialogue in building a more cohesive, compassionate city.

Amrick Singh Ubhi DL, Director of Civic Engagement & Partnerships at the Nishkam Group of Organisations, reflected on the event and commented, “Interfaith Week is about more than dialogue, it’s about shared action, respect and love. The presence of so many partners at the launch event demonstrates Birmingham’s ongoing commitment to unity in diversity and the belief that together, we can nurture peace and wellbeing for all.”

Speakers at the launch event included Dr Peter Rookes of the Birmingham Council of Faiths, Deepak Naik MBE (Chair, United Religions Initiative UK), and Cllr Jamie Tennant, Cabinet Member for Social Justice, Community Safety and Equalities. Cllr Tennant gave a very personal view of his own faith.  His perspective on peace and the crucial element that faith has in the work bridging interfaith communities and those of no faith was eloquently made. He also made it clear that the road ahead had challenges to come.

The programme also featured a reading of Rumi’s ‘One Song’ by Shreen Mahmood, music by Emine Betul Kilinc, and reflections from Dr Andrew Goldstein on peace and hope.

There were many organisations in attendance including representatives from across the city’s faith and civic networks, including the Dialogue Society, Faith & Belief Forum, Near Neighbours, United Religions Initiative, City of Sanctuary, The Lunar Society, Church of England Birmingham, Nishkam Centre, Girlguiding Birmingham, Birmingham Scouts, Father Hudson’s Care, and NHS University Hospitals Birmingham, Mosques, Hindu Temples, Gurudwaras, faith groups.

The event highlighted how faith communities continue to play a vital role in promoting inclusion, service and wellbeing across Birmingham, a city proud of its interfaith heritage and leadership.

The meeting ended with the lighting of a candle by Mr Goldstein, BCF, and a symbolic holding of a ring of flags each depicting a symbol from a different faith / religion.

ENDS

The Nishkam Centre, team were honoured to participate in a national Interfaith Panel Discussion on End-of-Life Care hosted by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales at St Chad’s Cathedral 26^th October 2025. The event was especially arranged to coincide with the marking of the 60^th anniversary of Nostra Aetate.

Representing the Sikh faith, Harr-Joht Kaur, a community researcher and Trustee / volunteer at the Nishkam Centre, spoke about how the Sikh dharam (faith) regards life and death as integral parts of the Divine order. She shared the Sikh view on death, dignity, and compassion in a humble and passionate way.

“In the Sikh dharam, death is not something to fear,” said Harr-Joht Kaur. “It is part of Hukam – the natural will of the Creator. Our duty is to live with truth, compassion and remembrance of God until our final breath. End-of-life care should help people do exactly that – live and die with dignity and love.”

The event formed part of “Dying to Live”, marking the 60^th anniversary of Nostra Aetate, the Vatican declaration on inter-religious dialogue. Representatives from six faith traditions – Sikh dharam, Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism – shared how their beliefs shape end-of-life understanding and care. The panel members offered personal reflections included Ruth Jacobs, Shamim Merali, Shobha Sharma, Simon Romer, Harr-Joht Kaur, and Christina Ronayne.

His Grace, the Archbishop of Birmingham, Bernard Longley, reflected on the discussions and thanked the multifaith audience for their attendance and engagement during the questions and answers session with the panel.

After the event, Amrick Singh Ubhi, Director, Civic Engagement & Partnerships, Nishkam Group of Organisations, who was honoured to attend, said: “We believe true care must honour each person’s faith and humanity. Collaboration between communities and health professionals is essential if we are to deliver compassionate, inclusive care for all. Only then can we fulfil ‘sarbat da bhala’ – working for the welfare and wellbeing of everyone.”

The Nishkam Centre continues to promote community wellbeing, interfaith understanding and social responsibility through the Sikh principles of Nishkam Seva (selfless service), Naam Simran (remembrance of God) and Sarbat da Bhala (the welfare and wellbeing of everyone).

Notes to Editors

• The full podcast of Dying to Live is available at: cbcew.org.uk/podcast/interfaith-panel-discussion-on-end-of-life-care
• The Nishkam Centre is a registered charity based on Soho Road, Birmingham – part of the Nishkam Group of Organisations. It works to advance education, health, civic participation and interfaith dialogue inspired by Sikh teachings.

Statement from Bhai Sahib (Professor) Mohinder Singh Ahluwalia OBE KSG

As President Donald Trump, Israeli and Palestinian leaders, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, and leaders from more than 20 other nations gather in Egypt for the Peace Summit on the Middle East, the eyes of humanity turn toward Sharm El-Sheikh in search of hope. This summit represents a pivotal opportunity, not only to halt the horrendous violence, but to lay the foundation for enduring peace.

I wholeheartedly welcome this diplomatic initiative and the courageous efforts behind it. Yet, these steps, while essential, will not be sufficient unless they are rooted in the deeper ethical, moral and spiritual ground of forgiveness and reconciliation.

From decades of experience in peacebuilding and reconciliation, including the creation of the Peace Charter for Forgiveness and Reconciliation in 2019, which promotes clemency to pave the way for global peace, offers this profound conviction:

“There can be no sustainable peace without forgiveness. And no healing without reconciliation.”

Desmond Tutu believed deeply that forgiveness and reconciliation are not optional niceties, but essential foundations for any true peace.

Across many faiths and traditions, forgiveness is upheld as a moral force that liberates both the wounded and the wrongdoer. It is not weakness, nor forgetfulness. It is a deliberate act of courage – a path out of the prison of past pain. He emphasised:

“Forgiveness does not mean forgetting but choosing not to be held hostage by the past. True reconciliation requires courage from all sides. Peace agreements without forgiveness collapse under the weight of unhealed wounds.”

The vision of the Peace Charter for Forgiveness and Reconciliation is that the process of forgiving is vital if healing and reconciliation are to take place, as part of our collective efforts to seek justice, harmony and sustainable peace.

I am reminded of President Nelson Mandela, who after 27 years of unjust imprisonment declared:

“As I walked out the door toward the gate that would lead to my freedom, I knew if I didn’t leave my bitterness and hatred behind, I’d still be in prison.”

Forgiveness, Mandela taught the world, is the bridge between pain and peace.

Today, I humbly call upon all leaders present at the Egypt Summit to consider two bold moral steps:

1. Please consider moving beyond ceasefires and negotiations to something more profound.
2. Please explore whether all parties involved can sign a Pact of Forgiveness – a formal commitment to release the grievances of the past and build a future on reconciliation rather than retribution.

The eyes of the world are upon you. The people of Gaza and Israel, and indeed all of humanity, are yearning not just for a pause in violence, but for a lasting peace that their children and grandchildren can inherit and emulate.

Let Egypt, cradle of ancient civilisation, now give birth to a new model of peace, one founded on forgiveness, reconciliation, and our shared humanity.

May this Summit not only end conflict but begin healing.

With profound respect and hope,

Bhai Sahib (Professor) Mohinder Singh Ahluwalia OBE KSG
Architect of the Peace Charter for Forgiveness and Reconciliation
Knight of the Order of St. Gregory the Great (Vatican)
Recipient of the title of Bhai Sahib from the Akal Takhat and SGPC, Amritsar
Recipient of the 2023 Moran of the Order of the Golden Heart (MGH), conferred by President William Samoei Ruto of Kenya for distinguished service to the nation.

Related links: 

Sikh delegate from Birmingham meets Pope Leo XIV – BBC News

Birmingham Sikh charity leader recognised for selfless service – BBC News

End

Notes

Bhai Sahib, Professor Mohinder Singh Ahluwalia is a globally recognised pioneer in peacebuilding and in mobilising innovative partnerships for shared human flourishing. He serves as the third spiritual leader of Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha (GNNSJ), a prominent Sikh, volunteer-led organisation headquartered in Birmingham, UK. Under his leadership, GNNSJ has significantly expanded its

international presence and impact. Bhai Sahib Ji also chairs the Nishkam Group of Organisations, which is known for its values-driven work in education, healthcare, community regeneration, civic engagement, and heritage conservation – all rooted in the Sikh ethos of Nishkam sewa (selfless service). Before his spiritual leadership, Bhai Sahib Ji had a distinguished 27-year career as a Civil and Structural Engineer, working across three continents in town planning, housing development, and policy formation.

NatWest Accelerator has partnered with the Nishkam Group of Organisations offering an Executive Senior Leadership Programme to entrepreneurs and senior managers equipping them with values-based leadership skills and strategic insight to drive sustainable growth.

The programme, rooted in Nishkam’s principle of selfless service to humanity, will be delivered through the Nishkam Civic Association (NCA) Apprenticeship team, supported by NatWest’s extensive Accelerator network.

Speaking at the leadership awareness session, Amrick Singh Ubhi DL, Director of Civic Engagement and Partnerships at Nishkam Group, said: “Our mission has always been rooted in service for the benefit of all. By joining forces with the NatWest Accelerator team, we are developing a generation of leaders equipped not only for business growth but also to create lasting social impact. The added bonus was having the NatWest Chairman and Board members in the room for the leadership discussion.”

Pam Sheemar, Regional Accelerator Director, Midlands Southwest and Wales at NatWest Group, added: “Partnerships with community anchor organisations like Nishkam are vital in helping us reach and support founders from diverse sectors and backgrounds.

Entrepreneurs and charity leaders are not only wealth and job creators in our cities but also agents of social transformation. Through the NatWest Accelerator’s leadership development strand, and by working with trusted partners such as Nishkam, we can provide the tools, networks, and confidence for leaders to thrive, creating sustainable businesses, resilient charities, and stronger communities.”

The event brought together 15–20 entrepreneurs from the Accelerator alongside 11 NatWest Group Board Directors, creating a unique platform for dialogue, collaboration, and future growth.

Key Features of the Level 7 Senior Leadership Programme

• Postgraduate-level qualification (Level 7) – Equivalent to Master’s, with progression options to MBA or EMBA.
• Practical, work-based learning – “Live” business challenges act as case studies.
• Chartered Manager status – Professional accreditation with CMI membership included.
• Values at the core – Integrity, accountability, respect, humility, courage, and transparency embedded throughout.
• Funding support – 95–100% Government-funded, making it highly accessible to SMEs, charities, and larger employers.
• Programme schedule – Induction on 13^th November 2025; programme begins 27^th November 2025.

Professor Upkar S. Pardesi OBE, Executive Chair of NCA and former Dean of Birmingham City University Business School, added: “This programme is about more than leadership. It is about preparing principled, visionary leaders who can transform organisations while serving communities with integrity. With Government funding for Level 7 Apprenticeships ending in December 2025, this is the final opportunity for entrepreneurs and employers to secure fully funded places.”

The Nishkam Team gave a heartfelt thank you to the NatWest Accelerator team, especially Pam Sheemar and Harinder Kunor (Accelerator Community Manager), for convening such a high-impact audience.

Enquiries

Employers and aspiring leaders are invited to register interest now.

Contact:
Prof. Upkar S. Pardesi OBE
upkar.pardesi@ncauk.org  

 Nishkam Apprenticeships Enquiry Form