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Scottish Inter Faith Week
25/11/2007
Scotland's diversity of cultures and faiths is one our greatest sources of strength, First Minister Alex Salmond said today.
The First Minister was speaking at the launch of the fourth Scottish Inter Faith Week, an annual week of events that see people of all faiths, across Scotland, actively creating opportunities to build understanding and co-operation between religious communities.
Events will include an Inter Faith Youth Conference being held in Glasgow next Sunday (December 2, 2007), and visits by religious leaders and Scottish politicians to places of worship other than their own.
Today's event, organised by the Scottish Inter Faith Council, Aberdeen Inter Faith and the University of Aberdeen also saw the launch of an NHS booklet 'Religion and Belief Matter', produced by Dr Geoff Lachlan on behalf of the Scottish Inter Faith Council and the Scottish Government's Health and Wellbeing "Fair for All" initiative.
First Minister Alex Salmond said:
"Scottish Inter Faith Week goes beyond today's launch. It will involve national and local events across the country, and breed the understanding that can help us grow together into the future.
"Scotland's diversity of cultures and faiths has always been a source of strength. Each wave of immigration has brought innovation and fresh ideas to our shores. It has enriched our arts, our culture and our language.
"The more diverse we are, the greater the need to find common ground becomes. That's what Inter Faith Week is all about. At the same time we are also closing the door on the ignorant and bigoted attitudes that once threatened to drag us down. Only last week I was proud to launch a campaign to kick bigotry out of football.
"A global, inquisitive attitude, open to new influences and ideas, is the foundation of a modern, compassionate nation. I am proud to say that the government has lent support to this project, which is another important step towards greater understanding among all Scotland's communities. Next week people of all faiths across Scotland will be joining together to celebrate St Andrew's Day and this is a great example of the many faiths and cultures coming together to produce a vibrant Scottish tartan."
Scottish Inter Faith Week was launched in the James MacKay Hall at the University of Aberdeen.
The audience included university staff, students, members of local inter faith groups, and religious leaders and representatives.
The Scottish Inter Faith Council, set up in 1999, is funded by the Scottish Government.