In UK cities there is a great deal of incidental interaction between different faiths and beliefs in schools, offices, and in public. This diversity provides enormous opportunities, but people’s knowledge often comes from simplistic media, false knowledge, or existing prejudices. As a result, groups can become excluded, which can lead to increased inequality and mistrust. A 44% increase in faith hate offences was recorded by the Police in 2009 - one indicator of the potential for conflict.

Interfaith activity, at its best, allows people to break through their prejudices and get to know something of the actual person behind the stereotype. This is a humanising process, where people discover similarities with those they previously saw as fundamentally different to themselves. Even when there are substantial differences, people often discover that these are not real obstacles to co-operating and trusting one another. And that they are certainly not a reason for hostility.