Sharing faith, culture and food on walk around L8

More than 150 people of all ages and faiths came together for a special walk around the religious buildings of Liverpool 8.

The Interfaith Walk took place on August 10 allowing people from different faiths and no faiths to visit various places of worship. Organisers expected maybe 30 people on the walk, but there were about 150, of various ages, cultures, faiths and backgrounds.

The walk visited St Brides Church, Percy Street, St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, Berkley Street, Princes Park Synagogue, Princes Road and finished at Al-Rahma Mosque, Mulgrave Street, who provided food and refreshments. At each venue the walkers were given a brief history of the building, asked questions and shared information.

Rector of Liverpool, Reverend Crispin Pailing told the ECHO: "So often people see religion as something that separates people and it should be something that brings people together.

“The fact we can stand together as people of different faiths and experience and visit each other's places of worship shows that as a society we moved to a much better place. Cultural and religious understanding is only going to strengthen our community.

Father Stavros speaking at the Greek Orthodox Church of St Nicholas in Berkley Street, Toxteth (Image: Patrick Graham/Liverpool ECHO)

“It’s absolutely fantastic so many people have come out today to find out more about other people, know more about their neighbours and walk with them".

Within half a mile of each other the four places coexist and local people pass them each day going about their lives. The Interfaith Walk opened doors for those of faith and no faith, who would not normally visit them.

Father Stavros from The Greek Orthodox Church said: "I’ve never been to the Synagogue or Al-Rahma Mosque. It was a mixed experience going into the Synagogue because it was similar in a way to mine, it felt weird, I don't know how to explain it.

Dr Peter Grant speaking at the Princes Park Synagogue during the Interfaith Walk (Image: Patrick Graham/Liverpool ECHO)

“We come from a same sort of background, we all lived together in Jerusalem many years ago and then we split apart. For me it's a big pleasure, the joy of the learning experience of other faiths.

“I believe in my faith very well, but I would like to know other faiths, how to deal with them and share knowledge. When I share knowledge of my faith I can’t force it on people, I just tell them about what we believe and explain the faith”.

All the buildings were built in the 19th and 20th century; St Brides Church constructed from 1829 and opened 1831. The Greek Orthodox Church, built 1865 - 69, opened 1870, the Synagogue constructed in 1874 and Al-Rahma Mosque began in 1953 and has expanded over the years.

Ahmed Issa (R) and Dr Badr Abdullah chair of Liverpool Muslim Society speaking at the Al-Rahma Mosque at the end of the Interfaith Walk (Image: Patrick Graham/Liverpool ECHO)

Most people respected the traditions of each building: males wore a Kippah, also known as a Yarmulke, when entering the Synagogue and removing their footwear when entering the Mosque, and women covering their hair.

One woman, Val, who does not follow any faith said: "I always wanted to go into a Mosque. I’m here out of curiosity.

“You have got to have belief in other people's religions and find out about them, even though I don’t personally follow any faith".

Khan, 16, added: "I’m here to learn about different ways of life that I otherwise wouldn't get to see and just get my knowledge up really”.

People gather for the last stage of the Interfaith Walk which finished at Liverpool's Al-Rahma Mosque in Toxteth, Liverpool 8 (Image: Patrick Graham/Liverpool ECHO)

Alan, a member of the Jewish faith said: "It’s important no matter what religion it is, be it one of the Abrahamic religions or one of the other religions that we all get on together. That we all understand each other, that we know what's going on.

"It gives us, it gives me anyway, a better understanding of what in this case the Greek Orthodox Church is about. For me it's important to have everybody together.

“We’re going to the Mosque later, included in Abrahamic religions because this is specifically Abrahamic, but not including the Eastern religions Hinduism and Temples and stuff, but I find that equally important".

There are a number of Merseyside Interfaith groups, one based at the Kuumba Imani Centre, Princes Road. They hold a scriptural reasoning group looking at different scriptural texts alongside each other. There is also Interfaith leaders events held by the Christian Archdiocese.

Community development worker Joseph Ramsden (R) and Faith & Climate Coordinator Zara Ross (3rd from right) who helped organise the event along with members of the various faith groups at Al-Rahma Mosque (Image: Patrick Graham/Liverpool ECHO)

Chair of Liverpool Muslim Society, Dr Badr Abdullah said: "This was my first time going into the Synagogue and Greek Orthodox Church. The benefits are to realise we have such a diverse city in Liverpool and we’re all neighbours.

"It's really nice to see the different faiths and people of no faith, different backgrounds, different religions to come and walk together. We welcome everyone here to the Mosque to see the sense of togetherness and understanding of the different religions that are in close proximity to each other.

“It’s such a great feeling to see that happening in our area, Liverpool 8".

Interfaith Walk faiths represented (L-R) Judaism, Roman Catholic, Islam, Church of England and Greek Orthodox Church. (L-R) Edward Rosenfield, Alison Cohen, Terry Madden, DR Badr Abdullah, Warren Hartley, Crispin Pailing and Father Stavros. (Image: Patrick Graham/Liverpool ECHO)

Community Development Worker at the Kuumba Imani Centre Joe Ramsden said: "We wanted to show off the rich culture and heritage that exists in Liverpool 8, particularly in our faith born traditions. For people who have come along, today is an opportunity to see inside some places of worship they would never get the chance to.

"To be invited into other peoples special sanctuaries, places of worship and into spaces that means a great deal to people, that’s really special. What's been obvious is people want to engage with the buildings, with the people and have real meaningful interactions.

"When people are not from faith based backgrounds we want to remove those barriers to having these sorts of conversations. We're hopeful we'll organise another tour like this."

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References

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