Executive Summary
Introduction
The growth of interest in inter faith work in the last 10 years reflects a developing awareness of the significance of religious identity in the social and cultural life of British society. This research, commissioned jointly by the Scottish Executive and Glasgow City Council, examines: levels of engagement between various church and faith groups and local and central government, as well as the relations between various groups themselves. 1
The study focused on 7 faiths, represented in the Glasgow City area: Baha'i, Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism and Sikhism. 2 The rationale for choosing these faiths was that they are members of the Glasgow Forum of Faiths.
Aim
The aim of the research was: to identify the key issues for inter faith work, consultation and community development work in Glasgow city. 3 This report will be a resource for an Inter Faith Liaison Officer, who will be based in Glasgow City Council.
Methodology
The methodology used in the study combined both qualitative and quantitative elements:
- 6 single faith focus groups: Hindu, Jewish, Muslim, Sikh, and 2 Christian groups
- 2 inter faith focus groups: Scottish Inter Faith Council and Glasgow Forum of Faiths
- 2 multi faith focus groups: one for women; and one for young people
- One focus group for Glasgow City Council officials
- 9 semi structured interviews:
- 2 with members of the Baha'i tradition
- 2 with members of Buddhist traditions
- 5 to provide information where traditions were under-represented or missing in the focus groups
- A 10 question questionnaire distributed through focus groups
- A broad demographic map of Glasgow's faith communities developed through quantitative analysis of existing data, in particular the 2001 Census
Key findings
1. Faith communities have skills, capacity, and willingness to contribute to public life in the GCC area. This is not always recognised or utilised.
2. There is a desire and willingness on the part of most faith groups, to engage with GCC. Faith communities understand the importance of the relationship.
3. In the view of the faith communities surveyed, the attack on the World Trade Centre in September 2001 marked a turning point from predominantly racial intolerance and abuse towards more religiously motivated attacks. People wearing distinctive religious dress or symbols, are a particular target.
4. The Muslim community is perceived, by all faith groups surveyed, to be the group most under pressure. The pressure has increased since the events of 11 th September 2001.
5. Sikh, Hindu, and Jewish communities are also suffering attack, threat or abuse.
6. It is neither helpful nor adequate to subsume all religious intolerance in Glasgow under the title of 'sectarianism' which is popularly associated with intra-Christian conflict. 4 Religious intolerance must be named and addressed in its own right.
7. Faith communities, with the exception of the Jewish community, show an acute lack of knowledge about Council services and a high level of frustration and confusion about how to access them.
8. The provision of information in appropriate languages is a particular concern for faith groups with minority ethnic adherents.
9. Faith communities report a strong perception of insensitivity to their religious and cultural needs among Council staff at all levels. This appears to arise from lack of knowledge and training in GCC staff and is a particular problem for faith groups which have adherents largely drawn from minority ethnic groups.
10. There is a perception among faith groups of a level of 'tokenism' in the way GCC involves them in consultation and decision-making.
11. Faith communities appear to lack the willingness, vision, and leadership to develop strong inter or multi faith relationships.
12. Though formal relationships exist between faith groups at official level, there is a significant lack of both structures which facilitate relationship, and actual contact, between faith communities, at local level.
Conclusions
1. Religion has implications in terms of community cohesion and safety. It can no longer be regarded as a largely private matter, but has to be taken seriously and addressed in the public sphere.
2. Central and local government should consider proactive measures to address the wider aspects of religious intolerance, rather than simply sectarianism, alongside the current initiatives on racism.
3. GCC needs to review the types, forms, and languages in which it provides information on services. 5
4. GCC would benefit from a communication strategy tailored to interaction with faith communities.
5. There is a pressing need for a thoroughgoing commitment, at all levels of government, to diverse provision of services as normative, 6 rather than as special exceptions to the current largely white, largely Christian, largely male, heterosexual, and able bodied norm.
6. The Inter Faith Liaison Officer should work with policy officers and others in GCC to establish diverse service provision as normative and with faith communities to explore appropriate frameworks of relationship and patterns of engagement at all levels.
7. Faith communities must decide whether or not they are prepared to take responsibility for their part in tackling religious intolerance and developing strong, healthy, inter and multi faith relationships which will aid community cohesion and safety.
8. Religious leadership must authorise and support the development of appropriate inter faith or multi faith structures and frameworks of relationships at all levels.