Our ‘Small Grants’ will be open for applications, soon. For more information, please contact your local coordinator.
Rabiyah Latif
BIRMINGHAM CO-ORDINATOR
We work in partnership with Thrive Together Birmingham to deliver our programmes in Birmingham.
EMAIL: rabiyah@nearneighbours.com
TEL - 07503 711333
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Our local co-ordinator, Rabiyah, is based with Thrive Together Birmingham. Thrive is a partnership between Church Urban Fund and the Anglican diocese of Birmingham. It aims to support and grow the movement of individuals, churches and organisations who, motivated by their faith, are committed to addressing issues of poverty and to playing their part in helping their neighbourhoods to flourish.
Introducing Rabiyah
Who are you and what do you do for Near Neighbours?
I'm Rabiyah, the coordinator in Birmingham City for Near Neighbours and part of the Thrive Together team, a partnership between Church Urban Fund and the Anglican diocese of Birmingham.
It aims to support and grow the movement of individuals, churches and organisations who, motivated by their faith, are committed to addressing issues of poverty and to playing their part in helping their neighbourhoods to flourish.
I build long term relationships, partnerships and projects to support communities and networks in their endeavors for a more peaceful and cohesive society.
What have you done in the past?
I hold a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Law and International Politics and have 12 years’ experience in developing projects for schools and communities. My practice was developed over 7 years with Birmingham City Council and the Local Education Authority. Projects have included supporting the implementation of the first Muslim supplementary school support project, development of a citywide integration programme for migrating communities in schools, and the service management of an employment agency for refugee adults.
I also developed the regional learning and outreach programme for schools at Sampad South Asian Arts from September 2011 to January 2015, a Birmingham based lead arts organisation, focused on developing South Asian Arts programmes. In 2014, I also supported The CoED Foundation to develop the Education and Outreach programme through creative learning and partnership building. The key areas of focus in the role as the Education and Arts manager were Positive Interfaith dialogue and Anti-bullying for schools.
Why did you want to work for Near Neighbours?
My interest and commitment to work for Near Neighbours comes from my love for working with communities on a grass root level to enable them to be makers and shapers in their local domain.
I have experience of working with all communities in Birmingham, with a particular interest in bringing people from different backgrounds and cultures to know each other better.
Why do you love the area you work in?
Birmingham is a multi-cultural City with a heartbeat of its own! From the people, to the food, to the cultural treats that are always on offer, there is always something new to experience.
The communities here are always arriving, settling, growing and then sharing the wealth of their heritage with others. I never tire from the forever changing mirage of cultures that Birmingham City is and look forward to supporting even more great work.
Sheikh Muhammed Amin Evans reflects on the meaning of Christmas from a Muslim perspective and why no sensible person would refuse to mark the birth of someone holy that they love, respect and pray for at every mention of his name.