'Positive side of human spirit' shown at Maidenhead interfaith event

An interfaith group in the borough hosted a community reception at Norden Farm last week to display the ‘positive side of the human spirit’.

The Windsor and Maidenhead community forum hosted the interfaith summer reception with representatives from nine different faiths & beliefs, community leaders and VIPs.

It was held on Thursday, June 13 in The Long Barn.

Special guests included the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Berkshire, Graham Barker, the newly elected Royal Borough Mayor Cllr Simon Bond and the Mayor's Consort, David Armitage and Police Sergeant, Natasha Gidda.

Paul Samuels, WAMCF Trustee said: “With so much darkness in the world, the event displayed the positive side of the human spirit - warmth, joy and kindness.”

He said WAMCF have been working behind the scenes to strengthen friendship and trust between the different faiths in the Borough and within the wider community for more than 43 years.

The nine beliefs and faiths in the group were all represented, including Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, Baháʼí, Brahma Kumaris, Humanism, Judaism, Islam, and Sikhism.

A presentation was made to Rabbi Jonathan Romain, one of the founders of WAMCF who is retiring for a new role, after 44 years of service at Maidenhead Synagogue.

Robert Harrap was also thanked for supporting WAMCF as general director of the Soka Gakkai Buddhist movement from 2013 to 2023. He has moved on to a new role in SGI Europe.