Anthea West -Buddhist  'The Friendship Walk is a really inclusive event for all Reading's faith communities. Hosts are always hospitable and guests appreciative. Time constraints mean that we can't visit every single community on each occasion, but the walkers come from many different groups, and everyone enjoys the chance to chat and share ideas as we amble along.'

Mustafa Chaudhary -Muslim "I’ve joined the Friendship Walks a few years now and it ‘does exactly what it says on the tin’. A pleasant walk around Reading where you invariably strike up new friendships, and catch up with old ones. Walking the walk of brotherhood in humanity.  As-salaamu alaikum (Peace be upon you)."  

John O'Shea -Christian  'I'm a new arrival in Reading, recently appointed to St James RC Church, Forbury Road. I'm looking forward to visiting the different faith places of worship and meeting the faith leaders. In view of the changing face of Britain today, it is essential that the Christian church continues to develop a good working relationship with other faith communities. The 'Friendship Walk' provides us the opportunity to dialogue with other faith communities.'”

Swami -Hindu  "Hinduism calls a ‘Faith Walk’ a Yatra ~ contemplative journeying.  Doing
Yatra at a this time of increasing polarisation among faiths is an act of
trust and an opportunity to contemplate its gift : friendship with those
that we might never otherwise encounter.  See you at the Reading Yatra."

Rabbi Zvi Solomons -Jewish  "Reading is a very special place to live. The huge diversity of religion and nationality make this perhaps the world in one borough. Through all this diversity comes tolerance, understanding and unity. Wherever you stand in the huge spectrum available in our town, the Friendship walk allows us all to make a statement on what it means to be a part of this very special diverse community. By walking together, sharing food and culture, talking and interacting with each other, we find our common humanity and points of contact which go way beyond any minor differences of belief, faith, conviction or politics. I support the Friendship walk wholeheartedly because it is what it says it is: an opportunity to show that we walk in friendship with all those in Reading who show love and respect for the diversity of our community."

Esme Weithers -Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University (UK)  "The importance of the friendship walk for me is that it highlights and encourages the need for unity. We may be diverse in many ways, but we all belong to the one family of humanity. So walking, talking, and laughing together create a friendly, harmonious and rich atmosphere. It is also an opportunity for me to observe the practices of other faiths as we visit these on route."

Bruce Denney -Pagan  "During the Northern Ireland troubles; people joined together in friendship, victims forgave the bombers. These people led friendships were the foundations on which political peace was eventually built. Northern Ireland proves we, ordinary people, have huge power, if we want peace we can make it happen.
Do the friendship walk.

Paul Kingston -Quaker  "Many of us feel that we live in a community. But how many of those you pass in Reading do you recognize as part of your community? On the inter-faith walk, you have the chance to start towards adding a few, and towards building links between some of Reading’s communities."

Jane Osborne Jewish and Quaker "Our own personal view of "life, the universe and everything" is an unfolding journey for each individual, and I see communities, especially faith communities, as an attempt for people to connect. "Religious/Faith" communities are human organisations and, in today's world, where we hardly speak to most of the people on our own street, even if we have internet friends worldwide, I have found them a very practical way of maintaining human contact across the generations. In a synagogue, you will be welcomed with a glass of kiddush wine (unless it is Yom Kippur). At Quakers, you get tea and biscuits, and at the Hindu Mandir, you get ladoos. It all manifests kindness and love."