Celebrating Interfaith Achievements

Councillor Nadia El-Nakla, the council's equalities spokesperson, joined members of the Dundee Faith Forum to discuss issues that the various faith leaders and communities represented could work together on.

Councillor El-Nakla reaffirmed the Council’s support of the Forum and its aim of making Dundee the best place to live for everyone, regardless of background.

The group, which met in the Douglas building of the North East Church of Scotland, discussed topics such as the Dundee Faith Covenant, feedback from members, Doors Open Day and engagement with Police Scotland amongst other business.

Dundee City Council and Faith in the Community chair and organise the forum and facilitate discussion.

The meeting was held just after Scottish Interfaith Week, which is a campaign is to foster friendship, dialogue, and cooperation between people of all faiths and none.

A video celebrating 20 Years of Scottish Interfaith Week was produced which included clips from the National Interfaith Conference, held in the City Chambers in Dundee last year.

In February 2020 a report was agreed by the then Policy & Resources Committee to adopt a Faith Covenant in the City. It was then signed in November 2023.

Cllr Nadia El-Nakla  met the group to celebrate and recognise the last five years of the commitment of the Council and Faith Leaders within Dundee to implementing and progressing the work of the Faith Covenant.

Cllr El-Nakla said: "It was a real pleasure to meet with the Dundee Faith Forum and hear about all the fantastic work that has taken place since the signing of the Dundee Faith Covenant, which is the first of its kind in Scotland. 

“The commitment, compassion, and collaboration shown by the Forum is a real credit to our city and I deeply value the partnership we have built together in promoting understanding and inclusion across Dundee.

“It was inspiring to see so many different faith groups represented, each contributing to our shared vision of unity and respect. At a time when some seek to divide, it is more important than ever that we find common ground, stand together and work collectively for a better Dundee and a fairer, more compassionate society.”

You can find out more about equality and diversity in Dundee on the council’s website.