Voice of Salam is looking for interfaith and intercultural couples, of all backgrounds (cultures / faiths and none) to participate in a research project focussed on:
Managing conflict and diversity in interfaith and intercultural relationships through dialogue
We’re working on a digital (video and social media) campaign. Can you help us?
About the project
Interfaith and intercultural relationships can bring individuals and different families and communities together.
However, there is sometimes the potential for conflict within such relationships when navigating difference. There is also the risk of potential social isolation from either or both of the couple’s communities, and of wider conflict within families, often brought about by fear of difference, notions of “dishonour” and anxieties around loss of cultural or religious heritage.
This initiative looks to document the experiences of dialogue between various interfaith/intercultural couples to:
- Highlight and address the stigma faced by interfaith/intercultural couples
- Provide an insight into how couples have been able to navigate conflict and manage difference based on their different religious/cultural affiliations in their relationship, family and wider community
- Share what the experience has taught them re. the importance of dialogue and diversity
This project will enable other couples, families, faith/cultural communities and the wider public learn about how to respect and navigate difference, to share diverse traditions together and to create harmonious hybrid spaces.
The campaign will be promoted within the UK, online and within participants’ own countries/communities and will hopefully help to reduce stigma and silence around interfaith/intercultural couples.
What we’re looking for
We’re looking for couples across a wide range of faith (and non-faith) traditions and cultural backgrounds. We welcome diversity in age, sexuality, gender and lived experiences.
Participating couples will feature:
- In a couple specific short video – shared on Voice of Salam’s (VoS) social media channels
- In a larger video featuring all participants – shared on VoS’ social media channels
- In a blog on the Voice of Salam website
- In related social media and outreach materials (photos/posters)
- In any related national, international or local press
Videos will be filmed in person (in the UK) or remotely (online) by either Voice of Salam or the couple themselves. Full guidance and prompts will be provided.
Materials will be shared with relevant networks, cultural and faith communities – including participants’ member organisations and leaders, plus wider interfaith organisations/networks and academic institutions.
Video and text submitted by/featuring participating couples will be verified and approved by participants prior to publication.
Participating couples will receive a £50 Amazon voucher as a thank you for their time.
How to get involved
To take part, of if you have any questions, please contact Elizabeth Arif-Fear (Founder and Director, Voice of Salam).
Thank you!
DOWNLOAD THE CALL FOR PARTICIPANTS (PDF)
DOWNLOAD THE SUBMISSION GUIDELINES (PDF)
Support for this video and article series has been supported as a part of the KAICIID Fellows Programme, which aims to provide opportunities for individuals to initiate new projects in interreligious dialogue and other related areas for their professional development and learning. The work undertaken has been conducted by external actors. The views, opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in the film are strictly those of the creator(s) and/or the persons appearing in the video and article series and do not necessarily reflect the views of the International Dialogue Centre (KAICIID) or its Member States. The International Dialogue Centre (KAICIID) does not guarantee the accuracy of the data included in this video and article series and neither the International Dialogue Centre (KAICIID) nor its Member States will accept any liability in connection with these data.
