LUTON, 26 September 2026 – More than 200 people came together to mark the 30th Anniversary of Luton’s Annual Peace Walk starting at St Mary's Church, and continuing to Guru Nanak Gurdwara and Luton Central Mosque. Participants were warmly welcomed and learned more about the beliefs, traditions and community work of each faith community.

Prof. Zafar Khan, Chair of Luton Council of Faiths, welcomed and encouraged all to continue promoting unity, acceptance and respect in what are looking difficult times ahead.

Reverend Canon Mike Jones at St Mary's Church said the aim of the Peace Walk is to make "our relationships bigger than our differences." He rejected any interpretation of Christianity that seeks to exclude or divide people, saying that such views are contrary to Christ’s message of peace and reconciliation.

He affirmed that anyone who feels vulnerable, threatened or isolated because of their faith, skin colour, ethnic or cultural identity should know that they are not alone and that we as communities of faith must stand together in support of one another.

The Lord-Lieutenant of Bedfordshire, Susan Lousada, reflected on the symbolism of 30th Anniversary as a ‘Pearl Anniversary’, explaining that pearls are formed gradually, layer upon layer, through patience and perseverance. She suggested that the Peace Walk represents a similar process, with relationships, trust and friendship having been built steadily over three decades. She praised the Peace Walk as a positive response to division and intolerance, and a powerful example of communities coming together.

Luton's Mayor, Cllr. Javed Hussain, commended the town's voluntary and faith organisations for their continued contributions to making Luton a welcoming, inclusive and caring place to live.

The event concluded at Luton Central Mosque., where Senior Imam Hafiz Ejaz Ahmed spoke about the importance of understanding, respect and peaceful coexistence. Participants also heard contributions from local schoolchildren, the Police and Crime Commissioner John Tizard, and the Bishop of Bedford, the Right Reverend Richard Atkinson, who described the Peace Walk as a "pearl of great price" that continues to strengthen community relationships.

As Luton celebrated 30 years of the Peace Walk, organisers from the Luton Council of Faiths, Grassroots, Near Neighbours Programme, local faith groups, and volunteers, were thanked for their long-standing commitment to building a united, inclusive and peaceful future for all in Luton, and beyond.

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Luton Comic Con 2026

One of the most exciting and popular highlight was the Luton Comic Con 2026 receiving the Luton Peace Walk outside the footsteps of Town Hall.

After the Peace Walk, the C of E Lay Canon Peter Adams, the Lead Steward of Luton Peace Walk, described it as an "encounter of an interfaith kind" between the Luton Council of Faiths and Luton Comic Con and said “it was hugely memorable!” He added, “I've been describing to people who've asked how the walk went about the sense of joy the group had even as we left St Marys with the bells ringing. That was doubled when we met the Luton Comic Con. Its hard to describe! But being responsible for stewarding, I do remember how hard it was to get people to leave so we would not be too late at next place that was awaiting us. We need to think how we can innovatively incorporate something of this in next year‘s programme.

Luton’s Deadpool, the Crown King of Luton responded: Thank you so much for the kind message, and honestly, that was one of the biggest highlights for me as well, just seeing everyone together like that, just, you know, it was something incredible. and yeah, I felt it as well. It was a monumental occasion, and I think that it will live in a lot of people's memories for a very, very long time. Maybe it could be a yearly thing that we all plan together. But yeah, it was a truly incredible experience. And I just wanted to say thank you to everybody who organised this and to all different communities that were a part of this. It was really special in the history of Luton. So, yeah, well done to everybody and I look forward to working with you all in the future.

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After the Peace Walk, HM Lord-Lieutenant of Bedfordshire, Susan Lousada said;

Thank you for inviting me to join you for the 30th Annual Luton Peace Walk, marking its pearl anniversary. Once again, it was a wonderful occasion: a powerful example of people from across Luton coming together in a quiet expression of community solidarity and cohesion. I am sorry I was unable to stay for the whole event, but I was very pleased to visit both St Mary’s Church and Guru Nanak Gurdwara. The welcome at each was truly warm. The Comic Con group we met along the way added a touch of fun and helped underline the Peace Walk’s message of understanding and friendship across our communities. Thank you to Luton Council of Faiths, Grassroots and everyone involved for your hard work in sustaining this important event. Your efforts help people across Luton, and the wider county, to live well and peacefully side by side. As I said in my speech, attitudes and actions that have no place in our communities should be pushed away, while respect, friendship and understanding continue to grow.

Susan Lousada HM Lord-Lieutenant of Bedfordshire

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid032Zx4DKa5kohiyb4m4a8jUdAchpFdZKHThNcMkh7ydy8KfiahT12hU1P1m1fr1wmjl&id=100093666990179

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After the Peace Walk, John Tizard, Police and Crime Commissioner for Bedfordshire, said:

Yesterday's Peace Walk was a great statement of solidarity and hope. It was a privilege and a pleasure to participate and to speak at the Central Mosque. We owe you both and everyone else involved in organising and hosting the event a very big "thank you". I am very committed to pursuing anti-racism and community cohesion. Working with Luton Council of Faiths and Grassroots is critical to this mission. Let's continue our dialogue and partnership. Best wishes,
John Tizard
Police and Crime Commissioner for Bedfordshire | Bridgebury House, Bedfordshire Police Headquarters, Woburn Road, Kempston, Bedford MK43 9AX | Email: john.tizard@beds.police.uk | Tel: 01234 842062

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After the Peace Walk, Colin Hall, Luton Quakers, said:

Many thanks for the beautiful experience of the Peace Walk this afternoon. Anne and I will speak about it at our Quaker meeting for worship tomorrow morning, stressing the key message from Mike Jones that our relationships are stronger than our differences. Anne has chosen to read a passage by the Quaker mystic Isaac Penington, writing in 1660, about the need to see with a "truly spiritual eye" when confronted with the deep hostilities and divisions between Christian factions. However, if he were alive today, Isaac would have been on the Peace Walk, I'm sure, and referring to "all faiths and none".

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After the Peace Walk, Dr Nazia Khanum OBE DL (retd), Founder Chair, UNA Luton, Purbachal-the eastern sky, Director, Equality in Diversity CIC

It was a lovely gathering and we thoroughly enjoyed the Peace Walk! The organisation of the event was great, the weather was exactly right and the atmosphere in every centre was incredible! Very well done indeed! David and I thoroughly enjoyed the inspiring speeches, camaraderie and the hope for Luton’s ever growing and sustainable peace across our super diversity.

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After the Peace Walk, Laura Johnson, Head of Resilience at The Church Urban Fund and Near Neighbours said:

"It was great to join our #NearNeighbours hub partner Grassroots for the annual Luton Peace Walk. I got to visit some great places of worship, and met fantastic people from all faiths and none, all committed to showing their wonderful town at its best." Near Neighbours Luton @lutoncouncil #PeaceWalk #LutonTogether

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Luqman Ali - Artistic Director at Khayaal Theatre Company said:

Thank you for an inspiring 30th anniversary Peace Walk. We had lovely conversations with old and new friends. It has been our incredible good fortune to share this stretch of life’s journey with Grassroots and LCoF friends, partners and colleagues. I echo your prayers for all of us.

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The High Sheriff of Bedfordshire Ismail Anilmis, DL said:

I had the privilege of taking part in Luton’s Peace Walk, now in its 30th year.

It was a wonderful experience — extremely well organised and very well attended, with people of all ages coming together. It was particularly lovely to see children from local schools taking part, walking alongside the wider community, and sharing poems and readings.

We were given a very warm welcome by St Mary’s Church, Guru Nanak Gurdwara and Luton Central Mosque. There were also some excellent contributions from the Lord Lieutenant, the Police and Crime Commissioner, Bishop Richard and faith leaders from across the community.

For me, the Peace Walk is a great demonstration of community solidarity — bringing people together, fostering understanding and friendship, and helping to build a stronger Luton.

My wish is to see this wonderful idea replicated in towns and communities throughout the UK. We could all benefit from more opportunities to come together in this spirit of friendship and unity.

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Luton Community Policing Team said:

Your Community Cohesion Team were honoured to have been invited to be part of this very special event this weekend organised by Luton Council of Faiths - The 30th Peace Walk 2026.

A public demonstration of community solidarity to build a stronger Luton by fostering better understanding and friendship. Different faiths but the same message.

From St Mary’s Church with the Christian community to the Guru Nanak Gurdwara and the Sikh community, to the Luton Central Mosque and the Muslim community. All faiths, all with the same message of unity and togetherness.

Thank you Luton Council of Faiths and to all that made this so important. A special thank you though to all the amazing children from several schools who read their poems and shared some amazing illustrations. A fantastic event bringing so many people faith or no faith, together.

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Also see: https://www.lutontoday.co.uk/your-world/luton-peace-walk-marks-30th-anniversary-9207055

Watch Inspire FM livestream recording:

https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?ref=watch_permalink&v=3027137520967790

Desi Arts Development Group CIC & Desi Fest Luton: https://www.facebook.com/desifestluton/posts/pfbid0CwauoSXcvyZgBGckc59r9PLQ3kgjiGhShDVKppWazr7hp1myh6CfaZQMSKKoDuaUl