Christianity, the world’s most followed religion, and Islam, the second largest and fastest-growing, hold profound significance in shaping global culture, values, and societal structures.
Over the past year, IIFL has engaged extensively with faith communities across the UK, conducting research, hosting impactful conversations and publishing reports that have been extensively covered in the media. We remain committed to understanding and promoting the role of faith in daily life, fostering dialogue that bridges differences, highlights commonalities, and provides fresh insights into the lived experiences of people of faith.
In 2024, IIFL hosted two key events: ‘Living as a Christian in modern Britain’ and ‘Living as a Muslim in modern Britain.’ These gatherings brought together diverse voices from across Christian and Muslim communities to share their experiences of faith in daily life, offering insights into challenges, joys, and the evolving dynamics of religious life in the UK.
Through our outreach, we connected with a wide spectrum of Christian and Muslim groups, including Sunni Muslims, Dawoodi Bohras, Ahmadiyyas, Anglicans, Catholics, and Evangelicals, to name a few. These engagements helped deepen our understanding of how faith shapes workplaces, homes, and communities across the UK, highlighting the unique contributions of each tradition to British society.
We developed this strategic focus based on IIFL’s flagship report, ‘The social contribution of British Muslims’, released in March 2024. The report highlighted the positive role Muslims play in the UK through community service, volunteering, charity, and beyond. Likewise, our exploration of Christian traditions showcased the religion’s enduring influence in the UK, particularly its adaptability in shaping the nation’s cultural and moral landscape amidst rapid societal changes.
Together, these two faiths represent billions of believers worldwide. By delving into the lived experiences and societal contributions of Islam and Christianity, IIFL aims to foster greater understanding of these global communities within the UK.
In the coming months, IIFL will continue to bring together voices from these two faiths through events, interviews, and research. Both Islam and Christianity have rich and diverse traditions that have profoundly shaped our world. We aim to explore how these faiths influence daily life, build stronger communities, and address challenges such as issues at the workplace, mental health, and environmental sustainability.
With this new year-long focus, we hope to deepen our understanding of these two influential religions and their impact on individuals, communities, and nations. We invite you to join us on this journey – whether through engaging with our research, participating in events, or following our work online. Together, we can continue to explore the transformative role of faith in life and society.