In December, the University welcomed a diverse gathering of staff, students, civic partners and members of different religious communities at a Community Conversation event focused on religious tolerance in Greater Manchester. Chaired by Professor Duncan Ivison, President & Vice-Chancellor, and overseen by Dr Julian Skyrme, Executive Director of Social Responsibility, the evening brought communities inside and outside the University together.

The event brought people together to exchange scholarly insight, share lived experiences and highlight the interfaith work already happening across the region. Organised in response to rising levels of faith prejudice and violence across Greater Manchester, it sought to strengthen faith inclusion, deepen civic relationships and inspire partnerships and ideas to shape future action.

Academic and civic panel

The evening began with an academic panel who provided perspectives on the complex landscape of religious tolerance in Britain. Professor Daniel Langton reflected on Judaism and antisemitism in the UK, Dr Kamran Karimullah discussed diversity, Islam, and Islamophobia, and Dr Cllr Eve Parker explored inequalities and patterns of religious intolerance. Professor Hilary Pilkington examined how religion can be both used and abused in narratives around religious tolerance and extremism.

A panel of civic and community voices added further insight. Kate Green, Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester Combined Authority, spoke about the public sector’s role in responding to religious intolerance. Hamayoun Choudry from Cheadle Masjid and Sajjad Amin from Khizra Mosque shared ongoing work with Greater Manchester Citizens and The University of Manchester to advance social cohesion and interfaith action. Rabbi Warren Elf offered practical insights on multi-faith collaboration, while Kelly Fowler, CEO of cohesion and integration network Belong discussed lessons learned from social cohesion practice.

Roundtable reflections

After hearing from both the academic and civic panels, guests were invited to reflect on what they had heard through a facilitation exercise. Themes that emerged included the importance of empathy, shared humanity, challenging harmful language, and the uses and limitations of the concept of tolerance. Participants also reflected on the importance of grassroots relationships, building trust over time, and ensuring that all voices, including those often unheard, are included in future conversations.

Looking forward

Professor Ivison, President and Vice-Chancellor and chair of the event, commented: “These Community Conversations exemplify our role as a civic convenor – creating space for dialogue across difference and bringing our academic experts together with members of our community. I hope everyone who joined us felt supported and sees the University as a partner in building understanding and trust.”

“These Community Conversations exemplify our role as a civic convenor — creating space for dialogue across difference and bringing our academic experts together with members of our community. I hope everyone who joined us felt supported and sees the University as a partner in building understanding and trust.”

Dr Julian Skyrme, Executive Director for Social Responsibility, added: “This event is part of our series of Community Conversations and our Office for Social Responsibility is committed to advancing this type of work with openness and purpose. Social responsibility is a core foundation of our Manchester 2035 strategy. As a trusted civic partner, our goal is to work alongside people and organisations in Greater Manchester to affect positive change.”