Leader of Welsh Lib Dems to Promote Inter-Faith Relations

The Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats will tonight warn against the dangers of stereotyping and promote greater understanding between faith groups in Britain at a special dinner to promote inter-faith work between young Muslims, Christians and Jews.

Over 100 young people from different faith backgrounds will come together for the Council of Christians and Jews (CCJ) 'y350' dinner tonight in honour of 350 years of British Jewry in London next Wednesday.

Lembit Öpik MP said prior to the event: "Being different isn't a luxury, it's a necessity."

The black tie event is being held to promote the Jewish experience as a model for the future, engaging young people from all faiths in a celebration of diversity today.

Lembit Öpik MP will address the young faith representatives on the value of diversity and integration in today's modern British society and there will be music from The Time For Peace initiative, a fusion of Israeli and Arabic music.

The event will be attended by Eliyahu McLean and Sheikh Abdul Aziz Bukhari, co-directors of the Jerusalem Peacemakers, as well as Jonathan Bartley, director of theological think tank Ekklesia.

Speaking about the event, CCJ's chief executive, David Gifford, said: "This event is not only a celebration of the very important contribution that previous generations of Jews have made to the British way of life but is also a timely reminder to all future generations across the faith and cultural divides of the value of cherishing and nurturing these values."