Restorative responses and interfaith instincts
This is a blog by our Restorative Justice Trainer and Service Coordinator, Mark Hamill.
The Interfaith Restorative Justice Project, delivered by a partnership of the Faith and Belief Forum, Interfaith Glasgow and Why me?, has published a new report, UK Summer Riots: Restorative Responses and Interfaith Instincts.
The report was made possible as a result of additional funding from the National Lottery to explore restorative responses to the violence and unrest that erupted following the Southport stabbings last summer. It shares the Interfaith Restorative Justice Project’s findings from research into how faith communities were affected by the violence, and their responses.
Unlike many other UK towns and cities, Solihull and Glasgow, the two areas in which the project currently operates, did not experience violence and disorder. In both locations, there were anti-immigration protests and counter-protests but these events passed without any direct violence or disorder.
However, Listening Circles and 1-2-1 interviews conducted by members of the project team in both these areas revealed that minoritised communities had been deeply affected by what had happened both locally and nationally. In response, religious communities had come together in solidarity against divisiveness and hate. The project team tried to engage with those who had organised and participated in the anti-immigration protests in the hope of facilitating a restorative process but received no response to multiple emails and letters. Looking beyond, the project team also researched what had happened in other parts of the UK and how individuals and organisations had responded restoratively.
Most notable and inspiring were the actions of Iman Adam Kelwick who engaged in a conversation over food with protesters who came to the Abdullah Quilliam mosque in Liverpool. In Cleveland, the project team spoke with Restorative Justice Service Manager Becky Childs and members of the Restorative Cleveland team. Together with Matt Storey, the local Police and Crime Commissioner, they have been facilitating dialogue between imprisoned protestors and individuals, groups and businesses caused harm by their actions.
We were honoured to be joined by Iman Kelwick at our online event to launch the report. He spoke inspiringly about how his actions had been guided by his faith and the example of Abdullah Quilliam. His relationship with those who came to protest at his mosque has continued to develop positively as a result of building connections and breaking down barriers.
The findings from the Listening Circles, interviews and wider research have been captured in the report, with five themes identified:
- the need to listen to those with whom we disagree;
- the role of mis/disinformation;
- the unaddressed root causes of the disorder,
- inspiring interfaith and community faith responses
- and the potential of restorative approaches to heal division and build community.
The report ends with the following declaration that not only sums up the findings but also restorative approaches in general:
‘In recognising both the harm that occurred and the hope that emerged, we affirm that
change is possible—when we centre humanity, create spaces to listen, and choose
connection over conflict’.
You can request a recording of the launch event by emailing rebecca.collins@faithbeliefforum.org
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