WELCOME TO HARROW INTERFAITH
FAITHS IN HARMONY
Our aim is to build understanding and respect among faiths in Harrow.
Harrow Interfaith (HIF) is a voluntary organisation established in 1984. HIF consists of individuals and representatives of faith groups who fulfil the requirements of the organisation.
HARROW INTERFAITH works with the Harrow Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education (SACRE) and contributes to religious education and collective worship in schools. HIF encourages young people in their youth organisations, faith communities, local colleges and universities to participate in interfaith activities. HIF works to solve problems experienced by local faith communities in the practice of their religion.
We welcome people of all faiths and none.
We condemn in the strongest possible terms the attacks targeting the Jewish community in Golders Green. Our thoughts and prayers are with those affected and the wider community. We are grateful to all the emergency services – including the Community Service Trust and Shomrim – who responded so effectively and professionally.
Violence against Jewish people, synagogues, schools, or businesses is antisemitism. It is not protest, it is not political expression, and it can never be justified. Every person has the right to live, worship, and gather without fear. When Jewish communities are threatened, be it in Manchester, Harrow, Brent or Barnet, the promise of safety and pluralism that we all rely on is broken.
Synagogues are houses of worship, learning, and community. To target them is to attack the basic right of people to gather, pray, and live without fear. There is no political grievance, no cause, and no context that justifies antisemitic violence or the desecration of sacred spaces.
Every person has the right to practice their faith free from intimidation, harassment, and violence. Hate symbols and attacks on Jewish institutions have no place in our society. We commit to supporting communities of all faiths and none, to reporting hate incidents, and to building a culture where difference is met with respect, not threats.
We also recognize that words alone are not enough. We encourage members of our community to check in on one another, to use reporting channels if you experience or witness antisemitism, and to join interfaith and community efforts that foster understanding and enhance interfaith dialogue. We need accountability and action and the courage to call out antisemitism at all times. Hate seeks to isolate us. Solidarity answers by bringing us together.
To the Jewish community: we see your pain and your resilience. An attack on you is an attack on all of us who believe in a society built on mutual respect. We stand with you, and we will not be silent.
Gopaljeet S Bhachu
April 2026
Harrow Interfaith Chair Gopaljeet Singh Bhachu and HH Shri Rajrajeshwar Guruji with Ravi Sharma
on Lyca Radio 31/03/26 - listen here
Faith communities are in a wider network of organisations involved in keeping people safe, such as local authorities, the police, the NHS and schools.
They are also part of a wider network of faith-based organisations, including those representing different religious communities.
We believe that faith communities need to look outwards and seek support and opportunities to learn from others.
Our aim is to:
- Get the foundations right by having good and well-understood policies and procedures in place
- Create clear leadership and governance structures so that everyone connected to their communities knows who to go to for help
- Ensure staff and volunteers are trained and confident so that they understand what to be aware of and how to respond to concerns or issues
Our Interfaith Partners
Brent Multi Faith Forum 2025 - Annual Report video
Gallery
Rome visit to the Vatican June 2024
Gopaljeet Bhachu, Chair of Harrow Interfaith, was invited by the Focolare Movement - which was founded in Italy in 1943 – to a four-day interreligious conference at the Mariapolis Centre in Castel Gandolfo, the traditional Papal summer residence in Rome. The theme was “One Human Family”. On Monday the 3rd June 150 of us at the Conference were invited to meet His Holiness, the Pope in the Clementin Hall at the Vatican. It was an honour to have the opportunity to personally meet and shake the hand of His Holiness Pope Francis, in my capacity not only as Chair of Harrow Interfaith but also as Ambassador and Advisor to City Sikhs in London. We spoke about my Interfaith work in Harrow and across London with City Sikhs and also about the work I do for Bereavement Care as their Chair of Trustees in Harrow and surrounding Boroughs.
Towards the end of his address to us, His Holiness Pope Francis said, and I quote:
“Dear friends, your witness is a source of joy and consolation, especially in this time of conflict, when religion is often misused in order to fuel division. Indeed, Interreligious dialogue "is a necessary condition for peace in the world, and so it is a duty for Christians as well as other communities." I encourage you, then, to move forward, always open and docile to the action of the Holy Spirit. I offer my heartfelt thanks for your visit! May the Gift of Peace bless you and may our Lady watch over you. Please do not forget to pray for me”.
High Commission of India. January 2024
Chair of Harrow Interfaith, Gopaljeet S Bhachu with the Indian High Commissioner, His Excellency Mr Vikram Doraiswami. January 2024.
Interfaith Week. November 2023
Chair of Harrow Interfaith - Gopal Bhachu- in conversation with the Archbishop of Cyprus - at the Greek Church in Harrow - during Interfaith Week November 2023.
Prayers for Peace. October 2023
This is the Prayers for Peace event by Harrow Interfaith on 16th October 2023. All faith leaders spoke at this event.
Beacon Lighting ceremony for the Royal Coronation.
Chair of Harrow Interfaith, Gopal Bhachu, with the King's Deputy Lieutenant , Simon Ovens, at the Beacon Lighting ceremony on the day of the Royal Coronation.
The National September 11 Memorial & Museum
Chair of Harrow Interfaith - Gopaljeet Bhachu - paying his respects at the 9/11 Memorial & Museum in New York City on 11th September 2022.
Harrow People Magazine October 2022
Chair of Harrow Interfaith - Gopaljeet Bhachu - promised to put Harrow Interfaith on the map - and here he is on the front cover of Harrow People - with our Mayor Janet Mote & the Deputy Lieutenant of Greater London Craig Haslam in October 2022.