Minutes:
Julie Siddiqi advised that she had received the MBE for services rendered in promoting interfaith understanding since 1996 and for her community work. She had been doing charity work for over 25 years and had set up a Muslim Women’s Network group five years ago. Mrs Siddiqi had been proactive in challenging the status quo regarding gender and equality in variously places including the Mosque. She had continued to question why there were no women in leadership positions and highlighted faith community issues regarding gender. Mrs Siddiqi was also a governor at Slough and Eton and Eden Schools.
She would be taking part in the Women and Faith in Slough discussions with local women on15 November 2020, as part of the Interfaith Week.
SACRE gave a vote of thanks to Julie for all her hard work as a SACRE member and the work she had done in the Slough community.
The Vice-Chair announced that St Mary’s Church was currently in the process of appointing a new rector to replace Rev Andrew Allen.
Sue Elbrow reported that the Free Churches had been proactive in supporting feeding programmes in Africa and were equally engaged in providing soups, blankets for people in need in the community. Individuals had also been giving donations to help provide much needed support to people during the Covid-19 crisis.
Councillor (Cllr) Gahir reported that the Gurdwaras in Slough had been doing great work in feeding the homeless and helping people get back on their feet and saving lives.
Cllr Smith commended the work that was being done in Slough to bring charities and other faith groups together. He celebrated the Slough community for working in harmony to support those in need in the current crisis.
Julie Siddiqi highlighted that it was disappointing that there had been a delay in the distribution of school vouchers in Slough. The delay had led to children not receiving free school meals leading to the half term holidays, causing great concern to parents. Slough outreach and Slough and Eton had contributed in providing meals for families in need and many more families still continued to be in need.
The Chair suggested that members should inform families about the support being provided by local churches and places of worship in Slough.
The Vice-Chair advised that people could also make self-referrals to local food banks.
Rev Briggs reported that the Rotary Club of Slough had donated £1,000 to the local food bank.
Resolved – That the updates be noted.