Edinburgh Interfaith Association

15/09/2026

It was our Executive Director Iain Stewart's honour and privilege to deliver the Key Note Lecture at Dublin City's Interfaith Forums, 'Annual Interfaith Peace Conference.' A copy of the speech is below. Apologies if the text is out of sync the second page of text should be first.

More information on the event.

The theme of the conference was on ‘Building Safe and Resilient Communities’. It comes at a particularly crucial time. Communities locally, nationally and internationally are facing increasing challenges arising from conflict, polarisation, racism, hate, extremism, misinformation, social exclusion and the erosion of trust between communities and institutions. At the same time, there are many inspiring examples of people and organisations working together across differences to build understanding, solidarity, peace and social cohesion.
DCIF’s event will bring together representatives from faith and belief communities, community and voluntary organisations, local and national government, An Garda Síochána, civil society, academia, youth organisations and other partners to explore how we can strengthen our collective capacity to prevent division and build safer, more inclusive and resilient communities.

07/09/2026

We are looking forward to this years, 'Blessing of the Animals.' Don't forget to join us there!

04/09/2026

Further pictures from the, 'Changing the Narrative Film Premier.'

02/09/2026

Knife Angel ceremony Edinburgh.

Edinburgh Interfaith Association were proud to be represented alongside Police Edinburgh and other organisations and Political and community leaders at the opening ceremony for the launch of the Knife Angel Project on Leith Walk yesterday.

The Knife Angel is made from 100,000 seized knives and has been officially unveiled at Kirkgate, at the bottom of Leith Walk, as part of a 30-day programme aimed at raising awareness of knife crime and the impact of violence.

The Knife Angel was created by artist Alfie Bradley and the British Ironwork Centre using around 100,000 blades surrendered through police forces and knife banks across the UK.

The sculpture features messages from families who have lost loved ones to knife crime, and former offenders on its wings.

The ceremony included moving speeches from Lord Provost Robert Aldridge, Depute Lord Provost Lezley Marion Cameron, Council Leader Jane Meagher, Chief Inspector Kiran Dougal and Ben Macpherson MSP. There was a very moving speech from Lisa Petrie, who spoke about the first anniversary of the death of her 22-year-old John McNab, who was fatally stabbed in the city on September 2, 2025.

Lisa is working with organisations including LIFT and Cash for Kids to increase the number of bleed-control kits available across Edinburgh.

We are proud to support this important initiative and the work being done to raise awareness, encourage positive conversations and help make our communities safer. 🕊️

01/09/2026

Further photos from the, 'Changing the Narrative' Edinburgh film premier.

01/09/2026

Thank you to the support of all our partners including the Scottish Ahlul Bayt Society - SABS where brother Ameed one our great speakers shares a very personal testimony in the film which also shows the importance and power of the Road Show programmes.

01/09/2026

Some photos from the Edinburgh Film Premier of, 'Changing the Narrative.' There were powerful speeches from, Simita Kumar the Minister for Equalities and International Development in Scotland, Robert Aldrige the Lord Provost of Edinburgh and Ben Macpherson MSP, Dharmveer Singh (President of Edinburgh Gurdwara) and Wege Singh (Gurdwara Secretary). Following the film a Q & A was chaired by EIFA Exeuctive Director Iain Stewart with Roadshow Volunteers and Chief Inspector Kieran Dougal (Police Edinburgh).

Directed and produced by Ray Bird, Changing the Narrative documents the transformative impact of the Edinburgh Interfaith Association’s (EIFA) Religion and Belief Roadshow. By bringing together six speakers from diverse faith traditions alongside Police Scotland officers, the programme delivers interactive presentations to primary school children—helping young people see past divisive rhetorics, disrupt negative stereotypes, and build community resilience. As one pupil reflected: “I learned no matter where you are or what religion or race you come from, you belong.”
Following a successful year that engaged 3,000 pupils across six local authorities, EIFA was awarded a national expansion grant in March 2026. Designed as a vital counterweight to rising social tensions, racism, Islamophobia, antisemitism, and anti-immigrant sentiment, the film captures the roadshow’s rollout across Tullibody, Perthshire, Glasgow, and Aberdeen—demonstrating how direct engagement fosters mutual respect and educates pupils, parents, and teachers alike.

There was a consensus on the powerful positive impact of these Roadshows and the need to roll them out further into more schools.

01/09/2026

Edinburgh Film Premier Watch Like, Subscribe and Share!

Directed and produced by Ray Bird, Changing the Narrative documents the transformative impact of the Edinburgh Interfaith Association’s (EIFA) Religion and Belief Roadshow. By bringing together six speakers from diverse faith traditions alongside Police Scotland officers, the programme delivers interactive presentations to primary school children—helping young people see past divisive rhetorics, disrupt negative stereotypes, and build community resilience. As one pupil reflected: “I learned no matter where you are or what religion or race you come from, you belong.”

Following a successful year that engaged 3,000 pupils across six local authorities, EIFA was awarded a national expansion grant in March 2026. Designed as a vital counterweight to rising social tensions, racism, Islamophobia, antisemitism, and anti-immigrant sentiment, the film captures the roadshow’s rollout across Tullibody, Perthshire, Glasgow, and Aberdeen—demonstrating how direct engagement fosters mutual respect and educates pupils, parents, and teachers alike.

Directed and produced by Ray Bird, Changing the Narrative documents...

28/08/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1eGXWFJPRc/

28/08/2026

Not everyone can make it to the Fringe. So this year, the Fringe went to them.

Fringe Cares Fest, run by the Edinburgh Interfaith Association, brings live performances, Broadway songs, dance, tributes to icons like Ella Fitzgerald and Etta James, straight into care homes across Edinburgh and beyond. For residents who can't attend a show in person, this is often the closest they get to the festival that takes over their city every August.

It's a side of the Fringe you don't often see or hear about, but one that reaches thousands of people every single year.