Women of faith unite against hate and division at Birmingham summit

Nearly 100 women from Jewish, Muslim, Christian, Hindu, Sikh and Bahá’í communities gathered in Birmingham this week for a summit focused on tackling rising hate crime, poverty and growing social divisions across the UK.

The event, organised by the Women’s Faith Forum at the University of Birmingham, brought together faith leaders, academics, campaigners and government representatives to discuss how grassroots faith groups are responding to increasing tensions within communities.

Among the Jewish representatives was Ruth Jacobs, chair of the Jewish Representative Council of Birmingham and the West Midlands, who stressed the importance of unity during what she described as a deeply divisive period.

The summit heard from senior civil servant Dame Sarah Healey, permanent secretary at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, who discussed the government’s Pride in Place programme and efforts to strengthen trust within local communities.

The Rt Revd Dr Jane Steen, Bishop of Lynn, also addressed delegates, speaking about challenges facing rural communities, including deprivation, isolation and rising levels of farmer suicide. She praised women of faith as “the bedrock” of community life.

Discussions throughout the day focused on interfaith relations in an increasingly polarised climate, alongside examples of local projects helping tackle loneliness, mistrust and poverty.

In one of the most emotional moments of the summit, Joy Madeiros, global CEO of Oasis Educational Trust and a founding member of the Women’s Faith Forum, reflected on recent hate attacks targeting both Jewish and Muslim communities.

She referenced the recent antisemitic assault on a young Jewish man in Golders Green, alongside the fatal shooting of Muslim worshippers at a mosque in San Diego, noting that both incidents had taken place within 48 hours of the gathering.

Laura Marks CBE, co-founder of the Women’s Faith Forum, said women of faith were often carrying out vital work within communities without being properly included in decision-making.

“At a time when hate crime and social division are rising, women of faith are doing the quiet, difficult work of holding communities together,” she said. “They are trusted voices, bridge-builders and problem-solvers – yet too often excluded from decision-making.”

She added: “If the government wants to create real change in communities under pressure, it must work in genuine partnership with faith groups and ensure women’s voices are heard.”

Professor Jagbir Jutti-Johal OBE, another co-founder of the forum, highlighted the role faith organisations play across the country.

“In every region of the country, faith organisations provide trusted spaces – leadership, volunteering networks, social action, wellbeing support, food provision, youth engagement, social prescribing, interfaith dialogue, and community care,” she said.

“And they have demonstrated repeatedly that they can mobilise quickly and effectively in times of challenge. Today showcases some great examples of that work.”