Rountables – Forum for Peace

Inspired by the Marrakesh Declaration: Community Roundtables

The Marrakesh Declaration (2016) was a groundbreaking initiative spearheaded by the Forum for Peace, aiming to defend the rights of religious minorities in Muslim-majority countries. It has since been cited by many countries, and in Tunisia’s case specifically, the Charter helped shape the 2014 Constitution of Tunisia, informing its clauses on citizenship and minority rights. In a 2023 launch event of the Marrakesh Declaration Handbook in the UK Parliament, it was agreed that the Declaration’s message for peace could be applied to the grassroots UK context.

Since then, the UK Forum for Peace has led community roundtables throughout the UK. Using the values imbued in the Marrakesh Declaration to inspire conversation, these discussions have enabled important local faith and civil society actors to convene, discuss and brainstorm together – at a time when interfaith conversations seem at their hardest. Thus far, the UK Forum for Peace team have conducted these roundtables in Leeds and Preston, with Cambridge, Birmingham and Southampton due to take place later this year.

Roundatable 1

Makkah Mosque, Leeds

Young Muslims aged 16-30

We discudded freedom of religion, equal opportunities for all, and challenges connecting with people of other faith groups

We found that the values of equality underpinning the Marrakkesh Declaration inspired the young people to be posiitve contributors to their community.

Roundatable 2

Quaker Meeting House, Preston

Senior Local Faith and Civic Leaders, in partnership with the Light Foundation

We discussed historic and modern faith relations in Lancashire, and heard reflections from seniors who have dedicated their life to local interfaith

Approaches used in Preston inspired how we can use the MD in the UK, such as creating dedicated shared spaces that act as open forums for discussions

Roundatable 3

Abu Bakr Mousque, Southampton

Young Local religious and civic leaders in partnership with local faith groups and universities

The main aim is to engage local faith leaders who have previously not engaged, young and new faith leaders

We aim to help establish new local leaders and connect them with other interfaith initiatives across the UK

Roundatable 4

Senate Chamber in the University of Birmingham

Senior and Emerging academics from across the UK, and local faith and civic leaders from Britain's most diversed city

Bringing religiously diverse, academic and expert perspectives, to examine the text to the MD closely as a group.

Emphasis shared visions by linking the MD to locally championed initiatives such as the Peace Charter for Forgiveness and Reconcillation