Handsworth Grammar School promotes unity at multi-faith conference

Nov 21 2009 by Jonny Greatrex, Birmingham Mail

A SCHOOL held a conference to celebrate its multi-faith community in the wake of the summer’s city centre race protests.

The violence saw supporters of the English Defence League (EDL) clash with members of Unite Against Fascism, with dozens arrested.

Handsworth Grammar School staged the conference for its sixth-formers in a bid to strengthen mutual respect and understanding of other religions.

It was arranged by Pauline Everett, who teaches religious studies.

Ms Everett said: “I am new to teaching here and it struck me what a wonderfully diverse and peaceful community we have in Handsworth.

“People have a distorted view of what religion is about and young people need to be given an interpretation of that. The conference focused on showing pupils that religion can be conducted in an ethical manner and help them understand other people.”

About 240 youngsters heard three guests describe their experience of religious relations before watching a DVD about the Birmingham Agreed Syllabus for religious education.

Salma Yaqoob, a councillor for Sparkbrook and a member of the Respect Party, spoke about diverse inner-Birmingham communities.

The pupils also heard from Guy Hordern, who chairs the Birmingham Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education, which sets how the subject is taught in the city’s schools.

After the last speech from PC Simon Alicoon, who focused on inter-faith relations for West Midlands Police, the pupils split into small groups to debate what was common to all religions.