Faith Leaders Unite for Peace
17 June 2026
The chairs of a Methodist district have added their voices to a chorus of other faith leaders in a joint statement against racism, issued ahead of a planned Britain First march.
The far-right group have planned a rally in Birmingham this Saturday. In response, the Revd Novette Headley, Co-Chair of the West Midlands Methodist District, has joined nearly 30 faith leaders across a variety of religious traditions in signing a joint statement “rejecting any attempt to reverse” the diversity of the city. The statement, which has been signed by members of many faiths in Birmingham, says, “Our communities are better, richer and stronger when we include and serve all who live here, wherever they may come from.
“As faith leaders we will continue to work together for the peace and flourishing of all in our city, regardless of their race, faith or background.”
The Revd Novette Headley, along with Co-Chair the Revd Rachel Deigh, have released their own statement from the West Midlands Methodist District making clear their pride in the multicultural city, stating that the diversity of Birmingham is a “source of pride” for the city’s residents.
Their statement reads: “Birmingham is one of the most vibrant and multicultural cities in Britain, which we view as a strength, and a source of pride for those of us who live and work here.
“It is a city that values its unity amidst its diversity – as a garden rejoices in the multiplicity of its display and fragrance.
“We are a city where people have grown up together, work, worship and celebrated the city’s entertainment and achievements together. We have also seen tragedies in the past which we have refused to allow to divide us.
“The faith leaders of Birmingham believe, and want to see, that everyone who lives and works in Birmingham has a sense of belonging, and can contribute their gifts and skills for the well-being of our city – emotionally, spiritually and physically.”
Last May, Britain First held a rally in Birmingham which drew huge counter protests and have also marched in Manchester this year.
Methodist churches across Britain united last month to bring to light daily, often unseen, acts of kindness as part of the A Million Acts of Hope campaign.
Churches took part with the likes of shared walks, warm spaces, meals and banner-making workshops as part of the massive UK-wide initiative from 13 to 20 May 2026.
The joint statement from the faith leaders in Birmingham ahead of the planned Britain First march read: “Birmingham has long been a city that welcomes and is enriched by people from different countries, cultures and faiths. This continues today.
“As leaders of faith communities across our city, we celebrate Birmingham’s diversity and reject any attempt to reverse it.
“Our communities are better, richer and stronger when we include and serve all who live here, wherever they may come from.
“As faith leaders we will continue to work together for the peace and flourishing of all in our city, regardless of their race, faith or background.”
The full list of signatories is below:
Right Revd Dr Michael Volland
Bishop of Birmingham, Church of England
Right Revd Esther Prior
Bishop of Aston, Church of England
Imam Mohammad Asad
Lead Imam, Birmingham Central Mosque
Rabbi Lisa Barrett
Senior Rabbi, Birmingham Progressive Synagogue
Rabbi Yossi Jacobs
Chief Minister, Birmingham Hebrew Congregation
Archbishop Bernard Longley
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Birmingham
Venerable Dr Ottara Nyana
Spiritual leader, Birmingham Buddhist Vihara and the Dhamma Talaka Peace Pagoda
Bhai Sahib Mohinder Singh
Chair, Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha
Patricia Whitney
Chair, Birmingham Faith Leaders Group
Amrick Singh Ubi
Director of Civic Engagement, Nishkam Group
Naima Ali
Director, Uplift Adult and Youth CIC
Jill Appleton
National Director, The Feast Youth Project
Shaykh Paul Salahuddin Armstrong
Managing Director, The Association of British Muslims
Dr Iqtidar Karamat Cheema
Director, Institute for Leadership and Community Development
Revd Steve Faber
Synod Moderator, The United Reformed Church
Revd Novette Headley
Co-Chair, West Midlands Methodist District
Ruth Jacobs
Chair, Jewish representative Council for Birmingham and the West Midlands
Sheikh Nuru Mohammed
Resident Imam, KSIMC OF Birmingham
Tervinder Singh Nazran
Representative of Shri Dasmesh Sikh Temple
Hakk Özal
West Midlands Regional Director, Dialogue Society
Dr Shaykh IMAM Abdul Pirzada
Director, Al-Shaafi Pirzada Foundation UK
Imam Qiyam
Head Imam, Adam Mosque & Dawah Academy Birmingham
Dr Peter Rookes
Chair, Birmingham More in Common Group
Jas Singh Sharma
President, Hindu Council of Central England
Hafiz Adeel Tassawar
Chair, Masjid Ali Ahle Sunnah Wal Jamaat
Kuldip Singh Ubhi
National President, Namdhari Sikhs UK
Acharya Dharm Dutt Vasistha
Head Priest, Shree Geeta Bhawan