Reflections on conducting interviews for the Interfaith Restorative Justice Project

Published: Monday, January 27th, 2025


This is a blog by Dr Hannah McGuinness Begum, Community Outreach Officer at The Faith & Belief Forum (F&BF). Why me? are partnered with The Faith and Belief Forum, alongside Interfaith Glasgow, to deliver a project on the use of Restorative Justice to address hostility to and between faith groups. 

 

As part of our Interfaith Restorative Justice Project, we had the privilege of conducting 1-to-1 interviews with members of various faith communities across Solihull. These conversations were an opportunity to explore interfaith dynamics, experiences of faith-based hate crime, and the role of restorative justice in addressing faith-based tensions. Through these interviews, we have gained profound insights into the challenges and aspirations of people from faith communities, particularly in the aftermath of the riots of August 2024 as well as the potential for restorative practices to build stronger, more resilient communities.

One of the key themes that emerged across many of the interviews was a shared sense of unease and insecurity. Many individuals, particularly those from minoritised faith groups, expressed concerns about the growing sense of instability in the wider social and political environment. A number of Muslim participants, for example, spoke about the negative atmosphere and uncertainty they felt, often tied to broader political events and societal tensions. They noted a growing fear of being targeted because of their faith and an underlying anxiety about the impact these external factors could have on their communities in the future. This sense of vulnerability seemed to resonate with many people we spoke to, regardless of their religious background.

Similarly, Jewish participants shared their reflections on how interfaith relationships have evolved in recent years, noting that while there has been progress, some still feel uneasy about fully expressing their faith in public. There was an acknowledgment that being part of a minority group can sometimes lead to a sense of invisibility, but also an awareness of how such fears are shaped by broader global events. Despite this, many expressed optimism about the role interfaith dialogue can play in improving understanding between different groups. For many of those we spoke to, the core value of interfaith work was the idea that it promotes the recognition of shared humanity and encourages people to focus on how individuals behave rather than what they believe. 

Among Christian communities in Solihull – who make up around 50% of the local population – there was a shared recognition of the complex factors contributing to social tensions in the wake of the August 2024 riots. While these communities did not experience direct victimisation like some minority faith groups, they expressed concern about the role of social media in amplifying divisions, both nationally and locally. There was also a strong sense that broader issues such as immigration and shifting political narratives were fuelling some of these tensions, often exacerbating already fragile relations between different ethnic and religious groups. Despite these challenges, many of the Christians we spoke to voiced a hopeful vision for the future of interfaith relations in Solihull, pointing to Solihull’s longstanding reputation as a peaceful and safe place to live.

Solihull has experienced demographic changes in recent years, including the arrival of around 5,000 people from Hong Kong following a visa scheme in 2021.  Like other newly arrived communities, individuals in the Hong Kong community that we spoke to articulated some of the challenges they have faced relating to integration, cultural adaptation, and building connections with other local groups.  They also expressed feeling scared and vulnerable during the August 2024 riots, given the heightened tensions and the fear of violence spilling over into Solihull from neighbouring areas like Birmingham. As a relatively new and smaller community, they were concerned about becoming targets due to their visible ethnic background and the broader national climate surrounding immigration and political unrest.

Another common thread that emerged was the importance of building connections between faith groups. Many individuals shared examples of initiatives they had taken upon themselves—such as neighbourhood WhatsApp groups where people exchange well-wishes during religious festivals and look out for each other’s safety—that have helped create a sense of community and understanding. 

The conversations also highlighted the potential for restorative justice to provide a meaningful response to faith-based hate crime. Participants from a wide spectrum of faiths spoke about how restorative practices align with the core values of their faiths, such as forgiveness, reconciliation, and healing. Many saw restorative justice as a way to not only address the harm caused by hate crime but also to rebuild relationships and restore trust within the community. 

As we continue to process these interviews, we are struck by the complexity and depth of the conversations. They have provided crucial perspectives on how faith communities in Solihull experience and respond to hate, as well as the ways in which restorative justice can help heal these wounds.

© 2025 Why me? Charity no. 1137123. Company no. 6992709.