March is a month filled with activities and events celebrating the contributions, resilience, and leadership of women across the world. As part of this, the Multifaith Chaplaincy teams at The University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University came together to mark the World Day of Prayer; a global ecumenical movement led by women that brings communities together in prayer, reflection, and solidarity.
Islam and phobia are two words that placed together, have never made sense to me. Being Muslim, is a fundamental part of who I am. It is what influences my humanity, my choices, my joy and my hope and faith.
The International Day to Combat Islamophobia marks the Christchurch mosque attacks in 2019 when a white supremacist murdered 51 Muslims and injured many more, reminding us of the rise of global Islamophobia.
The Mahayana New Year on the 3rd January 2026, marks the beginning of the New Year for many Buddhists who follow the Mahayana tradition, one of main branches of Buddhism. The Mahayana New Year coincides with the first full moon of the first month. It is a period to...
From a Christian chaplaincy perspective, Christmas is often spoken about in religious language. Yet at its heart, Christmas carries meanings that reach far beyond Christianity alone. It speaks to something deeply human that many people, of all beliefs and none, recognise.
On 20th October 2025, one of the popular EDI staff networks – the Dharmic Cultures Network (DCN) organised a landmark Diwali ceremony at the University of Manchester. This event, attended by colleagues from across the University and our President and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Duncan Ivison, marked the first-ever Diwali celebration on campus—a significant milestone for our diverse community.
The University of Manchester’s Parents, Carers and Guardians Network celebrate Eid with engaging activities, partner with Champions Basketball Club to promote family well-being through sport, and host another Lunch & Connect session to support parents and carers, fostering inclusion and community across the university.
As the seasons transition from winter’s cold embrace to the budding warmth of spring, Christians worldwide embark on a profound journey of faith, reflection, repentance, and renewal known as Lent. This ancient tradition spans the 40 days leading up to Easter Sunday, commemorating the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the wilderness.
Eid-ul-Fitr (Eid in Arabic means ‘festival’ or ‘feast’, and Fitr means ‘breaking the fast’), celebrated by over 2 billion Muslims worldwide, is the culmination of the sacred month of fasting, Ramadan. Of the two Eids in Islam (the other being Eid-ul-Adha) – Eid-ul-Fitr is my personal favourite. Perhaps because the joy of celebration comes after a month of devoted fasting and prayer.
When students move away from home for the first time, many of them are looking for a community of faith. They are searching for more than a ready-made group of friends, or a set of ideological beliefs; they are trying to find a place where they really belong. This quest for belonging extends to staff members too, as they transition into new environments and seek a similar sense of community. From my own experience of pastoral conversations as a university chaplain at Holy Name Church on Oxford Road, here are three pieces of advice I would give to anyone looking for a community of faith during their time at the university.
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