Ministry of Justice: Jainism and Zoroastrianism

Ministry of Justice written question – answered at on 29 October 2019.

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Photo of Gareth Thomas Gareth Thomas Labour/Co-operative, Harrow West

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, when representatives of the (a) Jain and (b) Zoroastrian community were invited to national events organised by his Department in each of the last two years.

Photo of Lucy Frazer Lucy Frazer The Minister of State, Ministry of Justice

The Jain and Zoroastrian communities of this country have made, and continue to make a positive contribution to life in the United Kingdom. The Government values this contribution enormously.

When hosting events related to faith and belief, we welcome those from all faith or beliefs or non-belief to participate, including those who identify as Jain and Zoroastrian. In the last two years these included:

- an annual Diwali celebration with involvement and engagement from Jain staff;

- Faith and Belief Forums hosted in 2018 which provided an opportunity for all staff to discuss what more can be done to improve the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) experience for all staff of faith/belief and non-faith/belief;

- panel discussions during National Inclusion Week 2018 and 2019 where support for people of faith was discussed alongside other protected characteristics; and

- events hosted by our various Faith Networks, which are open to all staff regardless of their faith or belief.

Representatives of the Jain and Zoroastrian faith groups, together with representatives from other faith traditions, were invited to meet Dr Jo Farrar, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) on 14 October 2019 to discuss prison chaplaincy work and future meetings with them both are envisaged to discuss the needs for their particular faiths.

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