The Oxford Foundation in partnership with The Edward Cadbury Centre for the Public Understanding of Religion at the University of Birmingham, is hosting the event United for Peace: Unity through Poetry. Beautiful poetry from across the faith, cultural, and non-faith traditions will be read, chanted and sung and speak across different cultures and faiths affirming the universal message of peace, love, wisdom, unity and harmony. There will also be silent reflection and music that will celebrate and affirm these shared values.

Eloise Secker from the Royal Shakespeare Company will be reciting poems from the works of Shakespeare, International Iqbal Society members will be reciting the poetry of Allama Iqbal, Morocco Sufi Way Ensemble (Al Qadriya Al Boutchichiya) will be reciting spiritually uplifting chants and renditions, Rumi Circle/ Threshold Society will be reciting the poetry of Rumi and his message of unity and peace accompanied by the Whirling Dervishes. There will be Hymns from the Sikh, Hindu and Buddhist traditions, peace & love songs from the Jewish and Christian traditions-African subcontinent along with poetic contributions from young students including a poetic eulogy for the victims of terrorism around the world by Ahmad Nawaz (APS Victim). Civic and faith leaders shall also be in attendance.

Join us on what promises to be a wonderful evening celebrating and affirming the core values that unite us through the medium of poetry.

United for Peace is a national initiative by The Oxford Foundation that draws United Kingdom’s diverse communities together to affirm the values that unite us. The values of respect, love, peace, compassion and understanding as opposed to the narratives that extremists advocate of ugliness, division, hatred, and violence.