Faith Leaders give thanks to Jonathan Gurling who steps down from Birmingham Faith Leaders Group after 18 Years of Service

January 13, 2025 by

After almost two decades of dedicated service, Jonathan Gurling has announced his decision to step down from his role as Executive Secretary with the Birmingham Faith Leaders Group (BFLG). An instrumental figure in the group’s evolution, Jonathan’s departure marks the end of an era for one of the UK’s most prominent interfaith organisations.

Some of the Faith Leaders Group at a lunch in honour of Jonathan

The Birmingham Faith Leaders Group was established in the wake of the tragic events of 9/11, as leaders across faiths in Birmingham recognised the urgent need to foster unity, dialogue, and understanding among diverse communities. The group has grown into a beacon of interfaith cooperation, championing peace, tolerance, and shared action in a city renowned for its diversity. Founded in 2001, the Birmingham Faith Leaders Group brings together leaders from various faith traditions to promote interfaith dialogue, address social challenges, and advocate for peace and unity. Through its initiatives, the group has become a model for interfaith cooperation.

Reflecting on his time with the BFLG, Jonathan stated: “It has been an immense privilege to serve alongside such dedicated and compassionate individuals. Together, we have worked to bridge divides, celebrate our shared humanity, and stand united in the face of challenges. While stepping back is bittersweet, I am confident that the group will continue to flourish and uphold its mission of fostering harmony in Birmingham.”

Bhai Sahib, Prof Mohinder Singh, Spiritual Leader and Chairman of Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha and one of the founding members of the BFLG, who was unable to attend the event, later commented, “Jonathan’s work has been a shining example. The faith leaders are an important group that play a crucial role. They have stood in unity to serve humanity during extremely troubled times. Jonathan’s dedication, humility, and wisdom have been an inspiration to us all. While his presence will be missed, his legacy will continue to guide the work of the Birmingham Faith Leaders Group. We personally wish to record our gratitude for his service to the city and the Group”

Amrick Singh Ubhi, Director, Civic Engagement and Partnerships, Nishkam Group and past Chair of the BFLG, paid tribute to Jonathan’s contributions, “Jonathan’s unwavering commitment to fostering interfaith understanding has inspired the group and help strengthen Birmingham’s reputation as a city of inclusion. His ability to listen, empathise, and act decisively has been a cornerstone of BFLG’s success and continued existence. We owe him a debt of gratitude for his tireless efforts and wish him all the best in his future endeavours – which we are certain will include him attending the group’s community events and prayer services.”

As the BFLG moves forward, the new Chair, Pat Whitney and Vice Chair, Mohammed Afzal are passionate, like the group members, about the organisation remaining steadfast in its mission to promote peace and understanding across Birmingham’s richly diverse communities.

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Oxford Delegation visit GNNSJ and pay respects to Guru Granth Sahib Ji

May 27, 2024 by

On Monday 27th May 2024, a delegation from the University of Oxford visited GNNSJ Birmingham to learn more about the Sikh faith and pay their respects to Guru Granth Sahib Ji. The event followed a reciprocal exchange following Bhai Sahib Ji, Professor Mohinder Singh Ahluwalia OBE KSG, and the GNNSJ members’ visit to Oxford to celebrate the World Interfaith Harmony Week together in February 2024.

The esteemed Oxford delegation included:

  • Dr Thea Gomelauri, Inaugural Director of the Oxford Interfaith Forum, and Associate Faculty Member of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Oxford.
  • Dr Aaron Maniam, Senior Fellow at Oxford Interfaith, Fellow of Practice and Director, Digital Transformation at Blavatnik School of Government
  • Professor Jörg Friedrichs, Official Fellow at St Cross College Associate Professor of Politics at Oxford Department of International Politics

The groups arrival started with an obeisance to Guru Granth Sahib Ji, in the main Darbar Sahib, before providing the Dome Darbar to listen to Keertan.

After partaking in the Langar from the Guru’s kitchen, the visitors embarked on a visit across the GNNSJ campus, including Nishkam School Trust, and Nishkam Health Care facilities. The visit concluded with interfaith dialogue and discussions on AI ethics and cross-organisational synergy at the Nishkam Centre. There was sharing of inspiring interfaith poetry with a presentation of ‘Jewels from Sikh Wisdom: A Journey of Discovery’ by Gopinder Kaur, to the Oxford community. The delegation departed with a sense of gratitude for the hospitality, friendship, and mutual respect.

Following the visit, Dr. Aaron Maniam, Senior Fellow of the Oxford Interfaith Forum and an award-winning poet, composed a poem titled “Ten Names for God”, which honoured the visit.

Please use the image gallery below to view photos from the day, professionally and creatively captured by the late Bhai Gurdev Singh Ji.

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Remembering Bhai Gurdev Singh Ji

Shortly after this event, the GNNSJ community was deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Bhai Gurdev Singh Ji. Bhai Gurdev Singh Ji left an inspiring and rich legacy of service through his professional and voluntary work, which included capturing beautiful photography of global interfaith activities that promoted values of faith and service. Bhai Gurdev Singh Ji had captured the Oxford visit to GNNSJ as well as the earlier participation of GNNSJ at the One World Festival in Oxford (Feb 2024).

His work was a true labour of love and Nishkam Sewa (Selfless Service) and he will be missed dearly.

Speaking of Bhai Gurdev Singh Ji, Dr Thea Gomelauri, Inaugural Director of the Oxford Interfaith Forum said:

“I first met Bhai Gurdev Singh Ji in February 2024 when he visited Oxford together with Bhai Sahib Ji and the members of the GNNSJ. He immediately impressed me with a unique combination of humility and high professionalism.  We are so grateful that he took and shared beautiful mementoes of our time at various venues. I was delighted to hear we will meet Gurdev again during our visit to the GNNSJ. Despite the Bank holiday, Gurdev spent a day with us capturing special moments of our visit. Soon we received an amazing collection of beautiful photos and a breathtaking short film documenting our meeting with Guru Granth Sahib Ji in Dome Darbar. We are so grateful for the opportunity to have met Bhai Gurdev even for the final months of his life. He left us with sacred memories which we will cherish forever. The Oxford Interfaith Forum dedicated a blog to Bhai Gurdev Singh Ji’s blessed memory.”

The Oxford Interfaith Forum published Aaron’s poem together with a tribute to Bhai Gurdev Singh Ji’s selfless service and the promotion of interfaith understanding and friendship across faith traditions. Please see this tribute here.

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Celebrating Interfaith Unity and Diversity at Oxford

February 10, 2024 by

Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha (UK) were invited to participate in a range of interfaith events organised and hosted by the Oxford Interfaith Forum, spanning across the rich and historic spaces of the University of Oxford, including the One World Family Festival at the Ashmolean Museum. The occasion marked the second Annual Johaness Lähnemann Interfaith Peacebuilding Lecture within the framework of the UN World Interfaith Harmony Week (WIHW).

Commencing at the illustrious Ashmolean Museum, attendees enjoyed a mesmerizing journey through time and language during the ‘Singing Together, Across Languages and Time‘ event. Enchanting performances of medieval Hebrew, Greek, Latin, and German religious manuscripts, curated from the venerable Bodleian Library, set the stage for a celebration of shared humanity.

Additionally, Sikhs were invited to present ‘Raag Kirtan’, traditional Sikh devotional hymns, amidst the breathtaking halls of the Ashmolean. This fusion of musical expressions fostered an extraordinary interfaith dialogue within an immersive and culturally enriching environment. For most visitors, it was once in a lifetime opportunity to see and hear rare musical instruments – a shell horn and seaweed horn – alongside Shofar and French horn. Professor Henrike Lähnemann, Secretary of the Oxford Interfaith Forum, presented and played all those instruments together with her father Professor Johaness Lähnemann who arrived from Germany specifically for this occasion.

The WIHW celebrations continued with the Annual Johaness Lähnemann Interfaith Peacebuilding Lecture at the Taylor Institution Library, with the opening address by Professor Julian Stern, Director of the World Religions and Education Research Unit at Bishop Grosseteste University, and General Secretary of the International Seminar on Religious Education and Values (ISREV). Professor Azza Karam, the immediate past General Secretary at Religions for Peace International (NY), delivered a thought-provoking keynote lecture on Building Effective Resilience in Troubled Times: Interfaith Women Peacebuilders, followed by a closing address from the esteemed Professor Bhai Sahib Bhai Mohinder Singh OBE KSG, Chair of Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha and Nishkam Group of Organisations, Trustee of Religions for Peace International (NY), and President of Religions for Peace (UK). The lecture concluded with a presentation of the book ‘Interreligious Learning and Peace Education: A History of Religions for Peace’ written by Professor Johannes Lähnemann. All attendees were gifted with a pre-print copy of the book.

After the lecture, interfaith engagement continued in St Edmund Hall, where all participants were invited to afternoon tea at the Principals’ lodgings (the hospitality of Professor Henrike Lähnemann), with profound discussions amidst the backdrop of Oxford’s storied past. After tea, our host invited us to the enlightening tour of St Edmund Hall which offered fascinating glimpses into the rich history and heritage of Teddy Hall, including its Old Library, historic well, and Chapel built by Stephen Penton in the late 17th century.

This highly enjoyable interfaith educational opportunity was made possible thanks to the Oxford Interfaith Forum and its inaugural director Dr Thea Gomelauri, an associated member of the Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Oxford.  

Speaking about the event, Dr Thea Gomelauri said: “The Oxford Interfaith Forum was awarded the UN World Interfaith Harmony Week Award in 2023. As the recipients of this prestigious award, we wanted to organise large-scale celebrations focused on Peace and Interfaith Education because, in our times, Peace is the most needed commodity. Harmonious coexistence requires the cultivation of eternal values – respect for others and humility. Interfaith education plays a crucial role in teaching and exercising these values. We were honoured to have collaborated with the Ashmolean Museum’s One World Festival and Taylorian Institute Library to bring all the activities together. It was a special privilege to share the space and time with our esteemed Sikh colleagues.

“I would like to use this opportunity to express our gratitude to everyone who participated in our event. I have a distinct honour to mention our generous contributors. As a sign of our appreciation for your support, we created a Wall of Honour featuring our contributors. We invite every reader of this news to join us next year and to add their names to the Oxford Interfaith Forum’s Wall of Honour.”

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