Category Archives: UK News

International Jain Delegation
Visit to the Vatican
24-26 November 2024

For over 30 years the Institute of Jainology (IOJ) and the Vatican have had good relations with many visits and joint activities to promote awareness and inter-faith dialogue.  This year, after a break for COVID, the IOJ led its 4th international delegation to the Vatican with delegates, totalling 37, from the UK, America, Middle East[…]

Jain Faith joins other Major Faiths in UK
in opposing the Assisted Dying Bill

The Jain faith adds their voice to those of other major faiths against the Assisted Dying Bill. The Institute of Jainology has joined the leaders of other major faiths in signing an open letter against the assisted dying bill currently being debated in parliament. Dr Mehool Sanghrajka, Managing Trustee of the Institute, said, “Jainism is[…]

Jain-Catholic Dialogue

Summary of Jain Engagement with the Vatican to date. 1986 Direct contact between the Vatican and the Jain community occurred for the first time in October 1986, when Pope John Paul II convened representatives of the world’s religions to gather at the Church of Saint Francis of Assisi, Italy to pray together for the first time[…]

Jain Faith Represented at the Remembrance Sunday Ceremony at the Cenotaph

On Sunday 10 November 2024, His Majesty The King lead the U.K in the annual two minute silence to remember those who had fallen and suffered in conflicts at the National Service of Remembrance (Remembrance Sunday) at the Cenotaph in London. The King was joined by members of The Royal Family, the Prime Minister, past[…]

OneJAIN attend Diwali Reception held at Downing Street

On 29 October 2024, Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer hosted a reception at 10 Downing Street to celebrate Diwali.  This annual event to mark Diwali was first initiated some fourteen years ago by then Prime Minister Gordon Brown. Those in attendance at the reception included key figures from across the Jain, Hindu and Sikh communities,[…]

OneJAIN & Diwali on Trafalgar Square (DOTS) Celebrations

On a warm autumn Sunday 27 October 2024, over ten thousand people, including members of the UK’s Asian community, tourists, and residents gathered in London’s Trafalgar Square to celebrate Diwali, the festival of lights.  This annual event, the 23rd this year, is organised by Diwali in London Committee (DIL) and the Mayor of London. DIL[…]

21st Annual Ahimsa Day Celebration
at the House of Commons

The Institute of Jainoloy (IOJ) together with the Jain All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) celebrated its 21st  Annual Ahimsa Day at the House of Commons, Palace of Westminster on Tuesday 15 October 2024, in the presence of esteemed guests and dignitaries including from Members of Parliament & House of Lords, Jain organisations, other faith communities, major[…]

New Hon Minister of Faith
Visits Oshwal Centre

The Institute of Jainology (IOJ) and Oshwal Association of the U.K (OAUK) were honoured to welcome the new Hon Minister of Faith, Lord Wajid Khan of Burnley, to the Oshwal Centre and Derasar (Jain temple) at Potters Bar, Hertfordshire on Friday 11 October 2024. Lord Khan, who was made a peer in December 2021, has[…]

Kyle Kothari – First UK Jain Olympian

Kyle Kothari is the first, from a UK Jain family to participate in an Olympics, representing Great Britain and England in competition.  Kyle, born on 26 January 1998, in Harrow, North London is the son of Jiten and Arti Kothari, who were originally from Nairobi, Kenya.  His grandparents are Chotubhai and Sushilaben.  Kyle graduated from[…]

OneJAIN UK Historic Celebrations of the 2550th Year of Mahavir Nirvan Kalyanak On 14 July 2024 at Harrow Leisure Centre, London

On 14th July 2024, more than thirty-five Jain organisations under the banner of OneJain UK came together to celebrate the 2550th anniversary of Bhagwan Mahavir attaining Nirvana in a landmark event at Harrow Leisure Centre, London.  This was the first major OneJAIN UK event and heralds the way for many more such co-operative events in the[…]