Walking Together for Peace

Tonight, Oxford once again demonstrated the strength and warmth of its interfaith community through the annual Peace and Faith Walk, a cherished tradition organised by the Oxford Council of Faiths. Beginning at the Synagogue in Jericho and winding through the heart of the city to the Bath Street Mosque, the walk brought together people of all backgrounds in a visible act of unity, reflection, and hope.

Although a work commitment meant I wasn’t able to join the main part of the walk, I was proud that the Oxfordshire Shrievalty was well represented. My Chaplain, Anne Gow, attended alongside Mark Johnson, my Chamberlain, and Shaun Kendall, our Cadet Coordinator. Their presence helped reinforce the Shrievalty’s commitment to initiatives that build bridges and foster understanding.

The route itself traced a powerful journey: beginning at the Oxford Synagogue in Richmond Road, the walkers stopped for reflection at St Giles’ Church, paused for refreshments in Radcliffe Square, and continued through town to the Bath Street Mosque, where the evening concluded with shared food and words of peace.

Also walking were two former High Sheriffs, Jane Cranston and Monawar Hussain, along with High Sheriffs in Nomination, Jawaid Malik and Moira Darlington. Their presence spoke to the ongoing support this tradition enjoys from those who hold—or will soon hold—Oxfordshire's oldest civic office.

I was able to join the group at the end, just as the final reflections were being shared outside the mosque. Standing there, in the warm early summer air, we were welcomed with generous hospitality: rice, flapjacks, fruit, and water—simple, nourishing, and freely offered. It was a moment of community, shared humanity, and quiet grace.

And I found myself reflecting: in a world that can so often feel fragile, divided, and uncertain, here in Oxford we were walking side by side—people of many faiths and none—in open conversation and shared purpose. Not with slogans or speeches, but simply with presence. With kindness. With connection.

Peace is not abstract. It is found in the footsteps we take together, the hands we shake, the stories we listen to, and the tables we gather around. Tonight’s walk reminded me that Oxford has something precious—a model of how we can live well alongside one another, even when the wider world feels stormy.

Long may we keep walking.

Anne Gow (Chaplain to the High Sheriff) writes:

The Friendship Walk was exactly as described – incredibly friendly, all faiths and no faith welcomed. Kindness offered in both hospitality and companionship. It was easy to strike up a conversation with someone new, whilst enjoying the phenomenal surroundings of some of Oxford’s finest buildings.

The diversity of attendees and contributors made me enormously proud, in the gentlest form of the word, that I live and work in such a caring county. Well done Oxford for bringing us together and offering us Peace.

Having never previously visited any of the faith buildings on the walk, I am grateful for the opportunity to visit Oxford Synagogue & Jewish Centre, St Giles Church, The University Church in Radcliffe Square and The Bath Street Mosque. Prayer and Reflections were offered by the Jewish Congregation, Bishop of Oxford, Roman Catholic, Methodist and Latter Day Saints communities, by Revd William Lamb of University Church, Buddhist, Hindu and Sikh communities, and a final Reflection and Blessing of the Meal served at the end of the walk, by Iman Shaijk Muhammad Nurul.

Grateful thanks to the Oxford Council of Faiths for organising the event and to Bath Street & Oxford Mosque and Oxford Jewish Congregation for providing buffet supper and desert refreshments at the end of the walk.

See you next year!