URGENT PETITION TO MICHAEL GOVE

NJPN supporter James Buchanan has asked if we can support this appeal.

 

“Michael Gove: Keep your pledge on Inter Faith Network Funding!”

Sign and share petition until 29 February – Petition hand-in: Monday 26 February

 

In recent weeks, Michael Gove (Secretary of State for Communities) announced his decision to withdraw £155,000 of funding to Inter Faith Network (IFN) already offered in July 2023, following the appointment of an IFN Trustee who is a former Assistant Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB).

 

John Woodhouse (interfaith supporter and Catholic campaigner) has set up a change.org petition calling on Michael Gove to reverse his decision and continue funding IFN, which has already been signed by 2,100+ people.

 

Please sign and share the petition to help us reach 3,000+ signatures by Monday:

https://www.change.org/p/urge-michael-gove-to-maintain-funding-for-the-interfaith-network-for-the-uk

 

In the House of Commons, MPs criticised Mr Gove’s decision as “extraordinarily stupid,” emphasising that interfaith dialogue is “more important than ever” at this time of increased antisemitism and Islamophobia. As a result of Mr Gove’s decision, Inter Faith Network is unfortunately set to close.

 

Last November, the Archbishop of Canterbury hosted an Inter Faith Week event (an initiative of IFN) at Lambeth Palace, which was attended by King Charles III, Cardinal Vincent Nichols and 30 other faith leaders.

 

NJPN welcomes this opportunity to support this appeal. The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England & Wales is a member of IFN and the RC Bishop of Nottingham has expressed his concerns. Please sign and share the petition now.

 

Anne Peacey,  NJPN Chair