On Saturday 14th November Interfaith Wolverhampton held their Annual Conference at The Royal School, Penn Road, Wolverhampton.  In attendance was the Mayor and Mayoress of Wolverhampton, the Bishop of Wolverhampton and Warinder Juss MP.

Interfaith Wolverhampton is a registered charitable company originally established in 1974 and originally known as Wolverhampton Inter Faith Group.

"Its mission is to promote understanding, tolerance and the respect of differing faiths and traditions" said Devinder Kalhan " and to work towards a City where the rich diversity of faiths is celebrated and used for the common good of all City dwellers".  

Ian Henery, Principal Solicitor at Riley Hayes & Co Solicitors in Wolverhampton and Birmingham was requested to read a poem, "One Blood" from his book "Poems of Hope" published by Kates Hill Press and launched at Wolverhampton Art Gallery during the 2022 Wolverhampton Literature Festival.  

Ian was also requested to read a poem by Jonathan Tebbs who is a prisoner at HMP Oakwood.  His poem, "Have Faith", was submitted to the Koesler Awards and highly recommended.  

Here is the poem:

                            Have Faith

If one lacks faith

How can one believe?

If one lacks belief

How can one understand?

If one lacks understanding

How can one accept?

If one lacks acceptance

How can one receive?

                                           Seek faith:

                          The paths of belief will be paved before you.

                                           Walk the path:

                           The gate of understanding will appear before you.

                                            Open the gate:

                             The labyrinth of laburnum will challenge you:

                                              Solve the labyrinth:

                               The garden of acceptance awaits you.

Warinder Juss is the MP for Wolverhampton West since July 2024.  Following a law degree from the University of Wolverhampton he has spent over 30 years working as a solicitor for social justice firm, Thompsons, specialising in personal injury and clinical negligence before being elected as a Labour MP.

Warinder sits on the Justice Select Committee and is a member of several APPGs.  A dedicated trade unionist, Warinder is a Central Executive Council member of the GMB trade union.  He has a season ticket with Wolverhampton Wanderers FC.

"I was chuffed to bits that he likes my work" said Ian Henery "and wants to pop in to my office in Waterloo Road for a coffee and to discuss working with him for the community in Wolverhampton.  After all, Warinder did point out that Waterloo  Road is in his constituency!"