Ramadan Appeal

Many of us know that charities fundraise tirelessly to secure funds - for educating orphans, providing water wells in Africa, bringing a halt to domestic abuse of women or children, cancer research, guiding the homeless into employment so that they can get their lives back - and then there is conflict-resolution and bridge-building, at the heart of the Christian Muslim Forum's work. Our mission is to bring Christians and Muslims together to overcome the barriers of difference which keep us apart. The Forum's response to lack of contact between Christians and Muslims is to create safe spaces, explore differences and heal relationships.  In our first four years as a national charity we have focused on seven key areas: Community & Public Affairs, Education, Family, International Issues, Media, Women and Youth. The Forum's specialists have developed a number of ground-breaking ideas into projects.  Examples of various project ideas in the pipeline are:

Belief & Being II - a conference to support Christian and Muslim teachers in considering ways to maintain the integrity of their faith in a secular environment and to share ways in which their faith is a resource for their pupils' education and well-being.

The amount needed for this conference is £15,880, £4000 has already been donated, we need to find another £11,800.  Could you help with this? Read about the first event here.

City Groups in London, Birmingham and Nottingham - this idea came from an event in the City of London at St Ethelburga's in February which brought together financiers, finance directors, Christian and Muslim bankers and development agencies, to discuss the economic downturn and its affects on families, communities and the world at large.  The Archbishop of Canterbury responded to the discussions with some key moral principles on stewardship, human flourishing and faithfulness. As a Forum we want to see more contact between Christians and Muslims in our cities to share how our faith values can contribute to a better society for all.

We need £10,000 to launch our City Group programme, £1800 has been raised so far, leaving £8200 to find.  Your help with this initiative would enable us to hold regular discussion groups and expand the numbers of Christians and Muslims who are meeting together locally. Can  you help?

Sixth Form Media Conference - for Muslim, Jewish and Christian students to meet and discuss negative impacts of reporting on faith and youth.  The conference will be filmed, including workshops based on live examples, published and circulated to organisations, inter faith groups and individuals interested in conflict-resolution. 

The cost of this innovative conference is £13,800. Would you consider making a generous donation to help deliver this important event which could become a training model for the future?

'Women at the Well' - an important initiative to help 72 disadvantaged Christian and Muslim women in the Bradford area over three sessions. They will have access to various workshops on public speaking, general confidence and project management capabilities to enhance their personal development.  Their new skills will be taken back to their families, the local community and wider society where they can increase their influence and make their voices heard. Creche and catering are part of the course so that these specially selected women can be comfortable in this learning space. 

The cost of this women's initiative is £23,850, so far £2000 has been secured, leaving another £21,850 to be found.  In helping these women, you will be supporting their families and communities and help change perceptions in wider society. A donation to this project will take our retreat initiatives out into the community. Read about the last 'Women at the Well event here.

The Christian Muslim Forum has taken this innovative step of sharing our initiatives to give you an insight into the way we plan, work, and bring our vision into reality, but also to invite you to help in a way that suits you.  We are taking this opportunity at a key time, Ramadan, in the Islamic calendar when a lot of thought is given to charitable giving. Christians too are celebrating this year's harvest, giving thanks to God and sharing both pounds and produce. We have been extremely fortunate with funding in our early years from government, trusts, individuals, Christian and Muslim organisations and are very grateful to all our funders and supporters. We are also grateful for the encouragement of many, many people who recognise our unique initiatives involving Christians and Muslims around the country.

We are launching this Ramadan Appeal to invite our friends, supporters and website visitors to give generously what they can, towards one of the four initiatives mentioned above, your help and support will be enormously appreciated.  We hope you will be able to make an online donation or by sending a cheque to our office.