Interfaith Pilgrimage

The Interfaith Pilgrimage around Watford became an annual event in 2009 during National Interfaith week. Members of the public are invited to walk around Watford and visit the various places of worship of the town. The pilgrims spend 20 minutes in each place of worship and receive a bite-sized introduction to different faiths and their community. Refreshments are provided along the way. The 5 to 6 most frequently visited places are: Watford and District Synagogue, Watford Central Mosque, St Mary's C of E Parish Church, the Al-Zahra Centre, the Holy Rood Roman Catholic Church and the Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha but it can include other places. It varies every year.

Pilgrimage 2024
Sunday 17th November 2024.

This was the 16th year since we started to organize an interfaith pilgrimage around Watford. In 2009 Interfaith Network UK had initiated National Interfaith week across the country and WIFA’s contribution has been its annual interfaith pilgrimage visiting the various places of worship around our town.

This year we started our Pilgrimage at the Watford & District Synagogue. We were pleased that we could go back to the Synagogue as last year it wasn’t possible due to the events in the Middle East. As always, we were warmly welcome by the members of the Synagogue with hot drinks and delicious pastries. After some welcoming remarks by WIFA Chair and a representative of the Synagogue, Rabbi Mordechai Chalk told us the story of 2 Rabbis who were arguing with each other about the Torah and then met at the pub for a pint. Even though we have different believes and opinions this shouldn’t affect our appreciation and respect for each other. This has been WIFA’s aim over the year to recognise the value of all faiths and all human beings. Watford Mayor Peter Taylor and a representative of our Watford MP reiterated how good it was that Watford enjoy such good community relations. This sentiment was exemplified by our visits and warm welcome to all the places we visited afterwards: the Friends Meeting House, Watford Central Mosque, the Al-Zahra Centre, Holy Rood RC Church and St Mary CofE Church. Our long journey through the town started at 11.30am and ended at St Mary at 5.15pm. At St Mary, after a warm drink, a presentation about the church and a talk by the ordinand of the church Dr Lesley Gray, we were treated to go up the tower bells and witness the ringing of the bells.

WIFA would like to thank everyone who came and especially those who hosted us along the way. It was an inspiring and uplifting experience meeting each other and learning about each other.

The most uplifting Interfaith Pilgrimage (2023)

On National Interfaith week Watford Interfaith Association organised its 14th annual interfaith pilgrimage around Watford visiting 5 places of worship starting at St Mary’s Church, the Al-Zahra Centre, Beechen Grove Baptist Church, the Central Mosque and ending up at the Sri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara. For security reason we couldn’t start at the Synagogue like we usually did previous years however a representative of the Synagogue walked with us all the way.

On Sunday 19 November people gathered at St Mary Church and were warmly welcomed by the vicar, Reverend Tony Rindl. Various distinguished officials gave inspirational talks: the High Sheriff of Hertfordshire Liz Green, Watford Elected Mayor Peter Taylor, Watford Town Centre Chaplain Geert Tap, Cllr Mark Watkin and Harjit Singh Chair of WIFA. Revd Rindl then spoke about his faith, his church congregation and St Mary been the oldest church in Watford.

We then walked to the Al-Zahra centre, the home of the Shia Muslim community. Now over 70 people joined the pilgrimage and listen to a presentation on the origin of the Shia Muslim faith and its basic beliefs. After some Q&A, we moved to Beechen Grove Baptist Church where a Romanian wedding was taking place. At an appropriate time in the service Reverend Simon Heard invited us to walk through the central aisle of a packed church. Beechen Grove Baptist Church is a large church holding 8 different services every Sunday.

Our next destination was the Central Mosque. We took off our shoes, the ladies covered their heads and we all sat in the main hall. Esoof the muezzin performed the call to prayer and introduced us to a summary of Islam. His presentation was concluded by a prayer for peace in our world which moved us all deeply. As we walked out of the prayer hall, Esoof met the Jewish man and a friendly conversation developed between them comparing their faiths. You say ‘Salaam Alaikum’ and we say: ‘Shalom Aleichem’. At this time when the world is in turmoil with the conflicts going on in Israel Palestine here in Watford, we are coming together in peace and friendship.

After some delicious samozas, the pilgrimage took off on their last stretch to the Sri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara. Harminder Singh welcomed us, introduced us to the tenets of Sikhism and answered our questions. We then walked around the canopy where laid the Sikh Holy book the Guru Granth Sahib. After a demonstration of gatka a Sikh martial art used for defensive purpose only we were welcomed to a warm delicious vegetarian meal.

Before leaving the High Sheriff, who had been with us the all-time, thanked WIFA for organizing the Pilgrimage. She said that she had learned a lot and: ‘If the world would follow Watford’s model it would be a much better place’.

Thank you everyone for helping to make this pilgrimage a wonderful witness of the friendship between all our faith communities in Watford and for the support of Watford residents who attended the Pilgrimage.