Over four days, our 20 plus speakers – philosophers and theologians, historians and writers, believers and non-believers – will consider what it means to be religious, and what role the voice of faith may legitimately have in the conversations of citizens in a multicultural, democratic state and the community of nations.

Across Saturday, three keynote lectures from distinguished international guests each consider the challenges posed by – and to – faith in the building of modern communities. Following the three lectures, all three keynote speakers will be in discussion with each other, exchanging and challenging one another’s views.

To launch the day’s talks, one of Britain’s most eloquent advocates of multiculturalism, Tariq Modood, will explore the links between religious belief and a multicultural society. Appealing to the idea of a ‘multiculturalism of hope’, Modood brings his expertise in ethnic minorities, and UK Muslim communities in particular, to bear. In the Guardian he wrote, ‘Respect for religion and moderate secularism are kindred spirits and are sources of hope for a multiculturalism that gives status to religious, as to other, communities’.

For the full text of this lecture plus transcripts and recordings of the series, visit our Faith and Culture archive.