UWTSD Harmony scholar selected for the KAICIID Dialogue Centre’s ‘International Fellows Programme’

UWTSD’s Fatima Akbar Jiwani, a Harmony scholar at the University’s International Federation for Interfaith and Intercultural Dialogue (IFIFICD), has been selected for the KAICIID Dialogue Centre’s ‘International Fellows Programme.’

The KAICIID Fellows Programme is an ongoing capacity development and networking programme that starts with one year of hybrid training. The Programme is designed to connect and cultivate a network of leaders committed to fostering peace in their communities through interreligious and intercultural dialogue.

The Fellows are a global community of diverse religious leaders, educators and dialogue practitioners from Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim, Sikh, and other religious backgrounds. The international cohort includes Fellows from various parts of the world, while regional cohorts draw Fellows from their respective regions and use the regional languages.

Fatima Jiwani is currently a Harmony Scholar at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David's International Federation for Interfaith and Intercultural Dialogue (IFIFICD) and a candidate of professional doctorate in interfaith studies. She has authored and presented papers at several international conferences focussing on education and interfaith education. She commented:

“It is a great honour to be selected for the KAICIID Dialogue Centre’s International Fellows Programme and I’m very grateful for the opportunity.  

I have taught religious studies for more than a decade. Now, after gaining expertise in interfaith theology, I wanted to bring the knowledge of both in practice. In my understanding, communal disharmony is caused when we do not know the ‘other.’

This can lead to the human mind sometimes creating fearful caricatures of someone we have never met. Through interfaith dialogue, I wanted young adults, who are the future decision makers of our country, to connect and interact in a safe environment. I am grateful for the KAICIID fellowship that facilitated the opportunity.”

As part of the KAICIID fellowship, each participant is asked to arrange and implement an interfaith initiative in the part of the world they reside. Fatima Akbar Jiwani, continued:

“As part of the KAICIID initiative, I organised a 'youth interfaith walk' in Mumbai, India. The walk was a three-day hybrid event to bring together individuals of different religious orientations and cultures with the objective of enhancing social cohesion and interactions among youths of different religious communities.”

During the ‘Youth Interfaith Walk,’ participants visited and learned about three religious places of worship. With the support of Mr. Yudhister Das and Ms. Parijata Devidasi, the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKON) Temple was selected as the first religious site to introduce Hinduism and the philosophy of Krishna consciousness. After a sermon and Q&A session, the group went on a guided tour of the temple’s various sites led by the participating monks and experienced the faith in its environment of religious dedication and worship.

The second site of the Interfaith walk was the ‘Dhanpathohar Gurudwara’ (Santacruz, Mumbai). Here, the participants were introduced to the Sikh faith philosophy of the Khalsa Panth, its symbolism, and ethical values of Sikhism. On request, each were gifted a ‘Kara’, a religious steel bracelet which is a symbol of infinity and connection to God. The participants also experienced a special cultural and religious ‘langar’ (partaking of food) specially prepared for them at the Gurudwara.

Finally, the last site of the interfaith walk was the Mount Mary Basilica, a 17th century heritage site. Bishop John gave the students a tour and understanding of the church’s architectural history, significance of the paintings and other material culture, followed by another Q&A session.

During the final reflection session and talking about the impact of the walk, Fatima concluded:

“In the long run, I am hoping that this will help create awareness, understanding and a pluralistic attitude among young people, which in turn can be a catalyst in initiating friendships and strengthening communal bonds.”

Further Information

For more information please contact Arwel Lloyd, Principal PR and Communications Officer, on 07384 467076 / arwel.lloyd@uwtsd.ac.uk