The Inter Faith Network
Interfaith charity in the United Kingdom / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The Inter Faith Network for the United Kingdom (also known as The Inter Faith Network or IFN) was a registered charity in the United Kingdom which had the objects "to advance public knowledge and mutual understanding of the teachings, traditions and practices of the different faith communities in Britain including an awareness both of their distinctive features and their common ground and to promote good relations between persons of different faiths".[1] Since 2001, the Inter Faith Network was funded in several millions of pounds by the British government.
The Inter Faith Network drew on the pre-existing example of "Scottish Interfaith Week" and every year listed on its "Inter Faith Week" website various inter-religious events which were in actuality organised, financed and run mainly by other institutions and groups unconnected to the IFN; and IFN officials participated in meetings hosted by the Church of England and Lambeth Palace with members of the British royal family and government officials.[2]
In 2023, the Church Times reported the publication by the Inter Faith Network of Deep connections: Women’s local inter faith initiatives in the UK and quoted Harriet Crabtree, IFN Executive Director, "This research project shows the richness and value of women’s local inter faith initiatives. . .these initiatives make a significant contribution to inter faith understanding and cooperation, help women’s voices be heard".[3]
Peer-reviewed academic publications and newspaper articles record that over its history the Inter Faith Network was the subject of legal challenges and complaints to government regulatory bodies for alleged religious discrimination, as well as allegations of bullying and harassment by the IFN Executive Director and other IFN officials of whistleblowers of malfeasance within the organisation. On 19 January 2024, Michael Gove, Secretary of State of the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities announced the termination of taxpayer funding to the Inter Faith Network citing the UK government's "serious concerns" with the IFN and the "reputational risk" to the state.
Against the background of these controversies, including the expressed "anger" of officials at the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities with the Inter Faith Network and its officers, the termination of government funding, as well as complaints by former IFN Trustees to the Charity Commission for England and Wales, on 7 February 2024 the IFN Board of Trustees announced its decision to move for closure of the organisation. On 22 February 2024, the Board of the Inter Faith Network confirmed its prior decision to close the charity following receipt of a letter from the Secretary of State that he would not reverse his termination of government funding, and Communities Minister, Felicity Buchan, said that while the government would continue supporting other charities that promote interfaith dialogue, they would not change their stance over funding to the IFN.
The government funding cut and closure decision of the Inter Faith Network caused its supporters to express dismay and criticism, and an article on the Independent Catholic News website states, "The timing of this ill-advised decision could not come at a worse time and it sends all the wrong signals about inter faith. I am so passionate about this that I have written to HM the King!"[4] Interfaith Consultant for Liberal Judaism, Mark Solomon, commented, "It is disgusting that this is happening. Shame on the morally and spiritually bankrupt government that is inflicting such a grave and unnecessary injury on our fragile interfaith institutions, which are needed more than ever".[5] A statement criticising the government decision was issued by UK Quaker interfaith activists which stated, "We, as Quakers in Britain, are angered by this act of political interference intended to harm the faith relations work of this tiny, yet disproportionately effective, organisation that is the nation’s most prominent interfaith instrument".[6]
The offices of the Inter Faith Network finally closed on 30 April 2024, as reported on the organisation website and Twitter account.