Forward Thinking visit Dewsbury, 21st February 2018

The focus of the UK 'Building Bridges' Programme is to help grassroots Muslim communities, in all their diversity, engage with the British authorities and wider society without fearing the loss of their faith identity. This is particularly important for those from more orthodox religious communities who for various reasons have hitherto felt excluded from the national debate.Therefore, on 21st February 2019, Jordan Morgan, UK Programme Manager, and Fatima Jichi, travelled to Savile Town, Dewsbury, to listen to the challenges facing local British Muslim communities and explore opportunities to overcome them. Bilateral meetings were held with a number of influential individuals, families and community figures.Discussions focused on events which have negatively impacted or facilitated a breakdown in relationships between communities, local and national authorities. Crucial insights and useful recommendations as to how this relationship could be improved were captured.