Faith groups work together

Sir, - In the wake of the Manchester atrocity, all sorts of opinions and analyses have been offered but as Mr K Marx has said, the real deal is not so much to understand the world as to change it.

If we want to unify different communities and make it harder for terrorists to conceal themselves, we have to be active in forging friendships among different religious communities; not just tolerance but real person-to-person relationships, and mutual engagement. This is happening in Dundee.

Dundee has always fostered good relationships between faith communities, as open days at the mosque and at churches testify and all the communities have been active in this process.

There is a great deal of warmth, humour and wisdom already invested in creating a secure, inclusive city.

As a retired minister, I find myself by good fortune ministering to the Sidlaw Churches: Monikie, Newbigging, Murroes, Tealing and Auchterhouse, where the congregations have formed a partnership with the Taught by Mohammed Foodbank,

a splendid Muslim organisation which delivers food parcels to the neediest citizens of Dundee.

It acts on referrals from social work, Citizens Advice, and other caring agencies, and offers help regardless of ethnic or religious identity.

Although we all think it is a disgrace that foodbanks exist, church people are delighted to gather food and to volunteer for other tasks along with our Muslim friends.

Recently our united congregations welcomed Amna, the foodbank coordinator at Sunday worship and listened to her presentation.

Sometime soon we hope to visit the mosque.

We continue to hold our respective faiths dear but we hope that Jesus Christ and the Prophet Muhammed, peace upon them, approve of what we are doing. This is a small step, but it is a step towards changing our conflicted world rather than just talking about it.

I hope that by celebrating all the small steps already taken in Dundee, other people here and elsewhere may be encouraged to take their own. (Rev) Mike Mair. 48 Panmure Street, Monifieth.