Yesterday evening, we had the opportunity to attend the Festival of Faiths in Milton Keynes, hosted by InterFaith MK at the stunning Church of Christ the Cornerstone — a beautifully designed and welcoming venue that reflected the spirit of unity and understanding the event aimed to foster.
Our team — Adil, Nihad, Kabir, and I — attended with a clear intention: to learn, connect, and share. We focused on one simple yet powerful campaign — “Discover the Quran.”
The event brought together representatives from around 15 different faiths, including the Mormons, Quakers, Hindus, Ahmadis, and followers of the Unification Church (Moon religion), among others. It was a rich evening of interfaith dialogue, mutual respect, and open exchange of ideas.
A Glimpse into the Faiths Represented
Quakers (The Religious Society of Friends):
Quakers emphasize inner spirituality over ritual and creed. They believe that every person has the “Inner Light” of God within them, guiding them towards truth, peace, and equality. Quaker meetings often take place in silence, allowing participants to reflect and speak as they feel led by the Spirit.
Hinduism:
Hinduism is one of the world’s oldest religions, with a vast and diverse range of beliefs. It centers around the ideas of dharma (righteous living), karma (cause and effect), and moksha (liberation from the cycle of rebirth). Hindus worship in many forms and often revere deities such as Vishnu, Shiva, and Devi, seeing them as expressions of the One Supreme Reality, Brahman.
Ahmadiyya:
The Ahmadiyya movement was founded in the late 19th century by Mirza Ghulam Ahmad in India, who claimed to be the promised Messiah and Mahdi. Ahmadis follow the teachings of Islam but are distinct from mainstream Sunni and Shia Muslims due to their belief in Ahmad’s messianic role. They emphasize peace, service to humanity, and loyalty to one’s country.
Unification Church (Moon Religion):
Founded by Rev. Sun Myung Moon in South Korea in 1954, the Unification Church blends Christian elements with Moon’s own revelations. Followers believe in creating ideal families and a peaceful world through the vision of “One Family Under God.” The movement is also known for its large international gatherings and marriage blessings.
Sharing Islam with Openness
Throughout the evening, we engaged in meaningful conversations about Islam, its message of peace, and the universality of the Qur’an’s guidance. Alhamdulillah, we managed to distribute around 15 English translations of the Qur’an, each given with care and an open invitation to read and reflect.
We also extended invitations to many attendees to join us at our upcoming Jesus Exhibition on Saturday, 6th December 2025, where we will continue the spirit of dialogue by exploring who Jesus (peace be upon him) is in Islam.
As we left, our hearts were filled with gratitude. We ask Allah to accept our efforts, grant us sincerity in our intentions, and bless our interactions with success and guidance.
“Call to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good instruction, and argue with them in a way that is best.”
— Qur’an 16:125
