England celebrated its First National Inter-faith week (15^th to 21^st November 2009)  with the Launch of the event on the 12^th at QE11 

London.  In Luton among the different events, Luton Council of Faiths launched the first Faith Map of Luton and Wayside Pulpit on Herald & Post at the Dallow Learning Community Centre on Saturday the 21^st.

This exciting publication, Launched by the Deputy Mayor, Cllr Morel Bernard is hoped to be improved and developed in the future, subject to funding by LBC.  Another launch during the event was the first Wayside Pulpit in the Herald and Post presented by Gulie Butcher, Co-Chair of LCOF, Who explained that Contributions on the theme of Interfaith from LCOF members will appear monthly.

Peter Adams from Churches Together Luton explained the philosophy behind the map and its significance for the cohesion of the town. This was followed by Sarah Allen, LBC Social Inclusion Manger, who congratulated LCOF for its hard work and great collaboration with her unit and the council and also the importance of interacting with those of no-faith. The day saw also brief talk of the Brahma Kumari’s spiritual organisation. Those present had the privilege to hear melodious and spiritually uplifting songs by Members of the Bahai Choir, (from Northamptonshire at the request of Luton’s Bahai Community).

The map met with the approval of those present. Jaswant Bola, a Sikh woman from Luton’s Guru Nanak Gurdwara, said, “It will be good to circulate this to all  RE teachers  and  to SACRE.  If a brief introduction of the faith and background of the place of worship could be added, it might become a very good educational tool for schools to use prior to their visits to places of worship.” The University of Bedfordshire (Luton Campus Chaplain) Revd Andrew Goodman said, “We expect almost 600 overseas students passing through our doors looking for information regarding their respective faith communities and places of worship in Luton. We would like to have as many copies as possible and, once online, I am sure it will be an asset for the University to market itself overseas by providing information on Luton’s religious landscape.