Events > Representations

Inter Faith Representation - Bryan Appleyard

On 3rd March I was the Buddhist representative at a meeting of the Faith Communities Consultative Council. I convened at Government level, by Home Office Minister and Communities Secretary, John Denham, for discussion on the Government’s strategy for ‘Preventing Violent Extremism’.

‘Prevent’ is a crime prevention programme aimed at ensuring that our fellow citizens do not commit acts of violence against Britain or British people overseas and that people abide by British law.

Much of this programme, and the meeting, was concerned with Muslim extremists. These are few in number, but a real and present threat, committing criminal acts in the name of religion, claiming to be Muslim, but not following the Koran.

The ‘Prevent’ programme is wide reaching, being inter-departmental including The Foreign Office, but the overall responsibility of the Home Office.

Within a couple of weeks of the meeting, the ‘Prevent’ policy was in the news, being strongly criticised by Muslim communities for failing in its aims to not stigmatise or demonise Muslims.

The first meeting for 2010 of the Faith Reference Group (FRG) for the London Olympic Games, on which I serve as Buddhist representative, took place on 10th March, at the offices of the LOCOG, the organising committee for the Games.

Much of the meeting was taken up with an up-date of developments with the legacy of the Games. No previous Games have made so much provision for the social and economic development of the Olympic Park and its surrounding area after the Games are finished. A new company has been established for this purpose and its aims will be as far reaching as 2032.

Provision at the Games for Ramadan was also discussed as this religious festival coincides with the Games.

The chair of FRG, Duncan Green, had just returned from the Vancouver Winter Olympics and it was expected that he would report on this visit, however there was only time to make a brief general reference to this. I have arranged to meet with him early in May to get feedback on the British contribution, especially with regard to the Faith Zone. He did mention to me that Buddhism was well represented at Vancouver.

Our next meeting is planned for 3rd June.

For the fourth year, I was the Buddhist representative at the Muslim News Awards for Excellence and Gala Dinner held at the Great Room, Grosvenor Hotel, Park Lane on the 15th march.

These awards recognise individuals and organisations in the Muslim Community who have demonstrated excellence in fifteen different fields, ranging from science and engineering to community development and the arts and who are nominated by readers of ‘the Muslim News’.

The event is attended by VIP’s from the world’s of public service, business, sport, the arts and religion as well as senior officials from all the UK political parties.

This year’s Guest of Honour was the Rt. Hon. Alan Johnson M.P., the Home Secretary. Also present were the Rt. Hon. John Denham M.P, the Communities Secretary, Dominic Grieve M.P. and Baroness Nicholson.

This event is one of the highlights of my year, and one in which I have always been able to engage in stimulating conversation, both spiritual and social, with prominent members of the Muslim community.

My presence always seems to be appreciated and much empathy is shown towards Buddhism.

Since 2006, I have worked, on behalf of the Buddhism tradition, with the Charities Commission and also the Charity law Society, on developing and implementing the new law that all charities must demonstrate that they function for the public benefit and with regard to faith bodies, for the advancement of religion.

On 17th March the second of two workshops was held at the Mermaid Conference Centre, Blackfriars, the first taking place in October 2007, in order to put theory into practice by providing am opportunity to talk through the application of the public benefit principles, identifying any points of difficulty and consider the key messages that may be helpful for religious charities as they review and report on their public benefit.

Among the issues discussed were definition of religion – a difficult and key issue dealt with at some length in the 2007 workshop, what it means to ‘advance’ religion e.g. facilitating religious practice, raising awareness and understanding of religious beliefs and practices, religious devotional acts, proselytising/evangelising and pastoral care and secular work.

Another subject was the identifying and measuring of benefits e.g. providing a moral and ethical framework in society, providing sacred spaces for working, public rituals and ceremonies, and promoting social cohesion.

The harmful and detrimental effects of religion were also examined e.g. illegal activities, encouraging or promoting acts of violence or hatred towards others, unlawfully restricting personal freedom and damaging mental or physical health.

The last part of the meeting addressed some technical and mundane issues and the participants had the opportunity to have any doubts clarified.

Jo Edwards, Head of Status and Public Benefit Policy hosted the meeting, supported by Nick Mott, Head of Public Benefit Review and Reporting.

After the conclusion of the workshop, myself and other delegates had the opportunity to have informal, one to one discussions with Charity Commission staff, which they found very helpful.

Over lunch, I renewed my acquaintance with Dame Suzi Leather, Chair of the Charity Commission, who did not actively participate in the meeting but was present throughout.

On 22nd March I was at the House of Commons as a guest of Lembit Opik M.P., Chairman of The All Party Parliamentary Friends of the Baha’is for the Annual Reception to mark the festival of Naw Ruz, the Baha’i New Year.

I have attended this event, held in the Pavilion Terrace overlooking the Thames, for several years and always find it both enjoyable and informative.

The gentle Baha’i faith, though basically Muslim, embraces all the teachings of the major religious leaders, including the Buddha and, has faced much unjust persecution around the world, especially in the country of its origin, Iran.

This year’s reception was particularly poignant as it coincided with the trial of seven leading members of the Iranian Baha’i community whose only crime is the practising of their spiritual beliefs.

An increasing number of Iranian Baha’is are now facing arrest and imprisonment.

The second Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) Faith meeting was convened at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Whitehall on 12th March at which I was the Buddhist representative.

An ATT is a new type of global treaty that will improve human security and as a result have an impact on social and economic development. It will also help societies prosper and enjoy freedom of expression, religion and speech, as well as providing an environment and climate that fosters business opportunities, investment and growth.

An ATT would not regulate domestic controls on weapons; governments do this in each country, but all countries working together can make sure arms stay within their control.

Globally agreed export standards remove the gaps between arms export control systems. This stops weapons reaching the illicit market, cutting off the supply to terrorists, insurgents, pirates and international armed criminals.

An ATT would help take guns off the streets and reduce armed conflict around the world. It would also prevent the unregulated trade in arms and make society safer. Reduced violence increases stability, helping economic and social growth.

In the United Nations, over a hundred and fifty countries have voted in favour of working together to agree on what an ATT should contain and the European Union has paid for seminars on ATT across the world so that its aims can be understood.

At the meeting of the ATT Faith group on the 12th it was agreed to produce a joint statement, on behalf of the faiths represented, in support of the Treaty. A draft copy was drawn up, and this will be finalised by the next meeting scheduled for June.

I have forgotten to mention an event which I was invited on 11th February. The invitation was from the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of London, Alderman and Mrs Nick Anstee, to attend a dinner at the Mansion House to meet the Archbishop and Bishops of the Church of England, this coinciding with the bi-annual Church Synod.

Regrettably, I was unable to attend due to another commitment.