Updated 17 November 2009

Wessex Jamaat has been asked to become involved in a project with the University of Winchester’s newly established 'Winchester Centre of Religions for Reconciliation and Peace'.

The newly established centre is based at the University of Winchester. The Centre has been developed to help create a free, just and peaceful world by sharing excellence in knowledge, understanding, skills, relationships and best practice in reconciliation and peace, with people of all religions and those of no faith. The centre will not be formally launched until next year, but is already up and running, working with national and international partners, planning research projects, organising talks, workshops and other events.

This project aims to work with young people in several faith-based Black and Ethnic Minority Communities throughout Hampshire.  Dr Mark Owen, the Project Director, visited the Madressa a few weeks ago and spoke to the Buruj Class.  He also spoke to various teachers and to the Resident Alim, Shaikh Fazle Abbas.  He received their views of how interfaith work has affected their lives locally in terms of its affect on social responsibility and community cohesion.  Dr Owen was also aware of The World Federation and the IIPS MA Programme accreditation with University of Winchester. 

As a result of this meeting and feedback of support received from Wessex Jamaat, the Centre has been selected to prepare a project proposal to be funded by the Department for International Development, under their 'Development Awareness' programme. The proposal is entitled 'Religion, Poverty and Peace: Raising Awareness of Conflict and International Development through the Arts'.

Click here to view additional information on the Development Awareness programme.

For further information email info@almahdi.org.uk