Faith to faith: forgiveness – conversations that nobody wanted to end!
What does forgiveness really mean? Is it about letting go, making amends, finding peace, or perhaps all three? And do different faiths approach forgiveness in the same way?
EVENT REPORTS
Kawther Hashmi
11/5/20263 min read
These were some of the thought-provoking questions explored when approximately 25 people from different faith backgrounds came together on Thursday 15 October 2026 for Faith to Faith: Forgiveness, an interfaith conversation organised by Woking People of Faith (WPOF) and supported by Surrey Minority Ethnic Forum (SMEF).
Held at the Friends Meeting House in Woking, the evening offered something refreshingly simple but increasingly valuable: an opportunity to listen, learn, reflect and have meaningful conversations with people from different faith traditions.
Four speakers, different perspectives, one powerful theme
The evening began with four short talks exploring forgiveness through Jewish, Muslim and Christian perspectives. Although the speakers approached the subject differently, their reflections revealed both shared values and fascinating distinctions.
Rabbi Drorah Setel offered a particularly thought-provoking Jewish perspective, explaining that forgiveness is not necessarily the starting point, but can be the outcome of a process of healing and putting things right. She emphasised the importance of acknowledging harm, taking responsibility, making amends and changing behaviour. Her reflections challenged the idea that forgiveness should always be immediate, highlighting instead the importance of justice, accountability and healing.
Yahya Rodrigues, representing the Muslim perspective, shared the powerful example of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), who chose mercy rather than revenge when he returned victorious to Makkah, despite years of persecution. Yahya reflected on how forgiveness requires enormous personal strength and is deeply rooted in the Islamic understanding of God's mercy.
Mary, speaking from the Catholic Christian tradition, shared a moving personal experience of struggling to forgive someone who had deeply hurt her. Through prayer and patience, she gradually found herself able to let go of the bitterness she had been carrying. Her story offered an honest reminder that forgiveness is not always an instant decision, but sometimes a journey that takes time.
Francis Preedy, offering an Anglican Christian perspective, reflected on Jesus' teachings about forgiving others and explored the challenges of forgiveness through his own experiences. His contribution encouraged participants to consider the difference between deliberate wrongdoing and unintended harm, and the importance of compassion and understanding.
Together, the speakers offered much more than religious teachings. They shared personal experiences, challenged assumptions and provided plenty of food for thought.
The conversations continued long after the talks!
Following the presentations, everyone enjoyed a break for tea, coffee and biscuits. But the discussions certainly didn't stop! People continued exchanging thoughts, asking questions and getting to know one another before moving into smaller discussion groups.
And this was perhaps the most memorable part of the evening.
The conversations were so lively and absorbing that people simply didn't want to stop!
Participants were deeply engaged, sharing personal reflections, exploring similarities and differences between faiths, and discovering perspectives they had not previously considered.
Eventually, everyone was brought back together for a final shared discussion. Participants spoke about what had moved them, what they had found particularly interesting and what they had learnt from listening to others.
What emerged was a real sense of openness, curiosity and mutual respect. The evening was not about reaching agreement on every issue, but about understanding one another better, appreciating different approaches and recognising the value of listening without judgement.
An evening that left people wanting more
Feedback from the evening was overwhelmingly positive, with participants appreciating the opportunity to explore a meaningful subject in a welcoming and respectful environment.
Perhaps the strongest indication of the evening's success was that people were reluctant to bring their conversations to an end. There was a real enthusiasm for continuing these discussions and exploring other topics together.
The event demonstrated how valuable interfaith dialogue can be when people are given the space to move beyond introductions and engage in thoughtful, honest conversations. It also showed that while our faith traditions may offer different perspectives, there is much we can learn from one another.
What's next for Faith to Faith?
Following the positive response, Woking People of Faith hopes to make Faith to Faith a regular series, taking place three times a year, with each gathering exploring a different theme.
The aim is to create welcoming spaces where people of all faiths and none can ask questions, share experiences, challenge assumptions and build friendships across communities.
Would you like to join the next conversation?
If you are interested in future Faith to Faith events or would like to hear about other Woking People of Faith activities, please contact Kawther Hashmi at Kawther.Hashmi@smef.org.uk to be added to the WPOF mailing list.
We look forward to welcoming you to the next conversation!
Kawther Hashmi
Head of Project Management, Faith, Trust and Communications.