Our festival ambassador Segun Oladipo reflects on Interfaith Glasgow’s Civic Reception during Scottish Interfaith Week:
The night was full of people from different background and religion, this gave me the opportunity to interact with Muslims, Jews and Baháʼís.
Religion brings diversity and unity. Every one of us was happy. This was my first time going to Glasgow City Chambers, the building is magnificent, with a big staircase, just like the one at the Vatican.
The Rt Hon The Lord Provost Councillor Jacqueline McLaren declared the event open with her speech. The celebration was a reminder of unity, compassion and dialogue, which is the foundation of the city. Glasgow welcomes everyone, including refugees. Glasgow’s diverse faith and belief communities, celebrating Glasgow’s rich diversity.
Glasgow is flourishing because of its cultural diversity, this landmark gathering will remind us of our work for peace, justice, dialogue and mutual respect for everyone. Twelve people that signed the declaration, read out one by one, a unifying statement of shared values, commitments to foster dialogue, mutual respect, justice and peace. Glasgow speaks with one voice. We can work side by side for peace and justice. We shared a meal together; this brings bond and unity we must embrace.
Lifetime achievement awards were presented to three awardees from different faith background, who has supported the foundations for positive engagement in the past five decades.
When we come together across all faiths, this brings strength and unity. We must uphold this value.
Photo credit: Interfaith Glasgow.
About our ambassador
Segun Oladipo is a Lead Pastor of Dens Road Community Church, Dundee. He relocated from Dubai, United Arab Emirates, after spending eight years as a sales manager with a local lubricant manufacturing company. Segun also planted a church in Dubai, he has built connections with different groups and nationalities – Dubai has over 200 nationalities.
