Building a healthier city
THE role of faith in building a healthier Nottingham needs to be acknowledged and given a chance to work.
Over time, the responsibilities of building a healthy, productive, cohesive and peaceful society have been born by various institutions – government, faith groups, charities, etc.
However, it seems the Government has largely assumed this onerous and increasingly complex responsibility, by taking up more roles over the years.
Regardless, more challenges are emerging in British societies, including Nottingham.
David Blunkett, a former Home Secretary under Tony Blair’s government, admitted that understanding the role faith plays in people’s lives is vital to community cohesion and race relations.
I cannot agree more with Mr Blunkett, in his speech on October, 2003 on multi faith Britain, when he said: “Faith plays a role at crucial points in people’s lives – times of great triumph but also sorrow – birth, marriage, death. It affects the foundation, the framework of our lives. This was true for me, as a Methodist – indeed, it still is. But all of us, even those who are not overtly religious, our basic values, our sense of right and wrong, our consciences, are shaped by our community and its religious heritage.”
Faith communities form an integral part of our overall community. They are more in touch with the grassroots, and therefore feel the pulse of the people more, understand their pains, difficulties and the different challenges of the people. They have good understanding of how government and economic policies affect people from different backgrounds, socioeconomic classes and ages. Faith communities and their leaders have their ears more on the ground to pick up complaints, murmurs and groaning of the people.
Furthermore, faith leaders enjoy the trust of the people more than the political class and law enforcement officers. It is important to note that the faith community operates under personal conviction and derive their inspiration and strength to serve people from their love for God. As a result, faith communities raise volunteers with unparalleled commitment and drive. They produce more sustainability than what changing governments can achieve. People in our community trust them and open up to them.
Therefore, if our policy makers are serious about addressing the needs of the people at the grassroots and fulfil their desires and aspirations, it is absolutely necessary to engage with faith leaders.
Once again, I echo the words of Mr David Blunkett: “Any government which is interested in connecting with, mobilising, and empowering communities is going to be interested in engaging with faith communities.”
As we all want to work towards achieving a healthier Nottingham, let us genuinely engage with faith communities to come up with strategies that will deliver our mutually desired outcomes.
■■Dr Alawale is senior pastor of God’s Vineyard Ministries and the Chairperson of the Majority Black-led Churches (MBLC), Nottingham. He is also a General Practitioner (GP) at Bilborough Medical Centre in Nottingham.