Awareness Sunday is an annual Christian event in the UK. It takes place each year on a Sunday in September and is giving people an opportunity to dedicate themselves to "healing and reconciliation in our communities"; it is an initiative of the Awareness Foundation,[1]
The Awareness Foundation have stated, "Awareness Sunday is an annual opportunity to reflect on the value of loving our neighbour as ourself, even if our neighbour is of a different religious faith or worldview."[2] According to the Awareness Sunday website,[2] "This is an invitation to everyone, whatever their faith or world view, to join us at this time and make a commitment to change attitudes and build relationships in your own community, based on respect and understanding."
A special public service of remembrance and reconciliation for Awareness Sunday took place at Westminster Abbey in London at 6:30pm on Sunday 11 September 2011.[4] The Abbey was packed with people from around the world including Londoners, tourists, priests, imams and rabbis. A large number of those attending were American. Other events took place across the UK, and internationally. Nadim Nassar, Director of the Awareness Foundation, preached, and Courtney Cowart, a survivor of 9/11, spoke about her experiences. Cowart laid a wreath at the Memorial to Innocent Victims during the service.
In addition, the Sunday Worship on BBC Radio 4 at 8:10am on the morning of 11 September featured a live broadcast of a special Awareness Sunday service at Grosvenor Chapel in London. Nassar preached and Cowart spoke. In addition, a memorial candle was lit by Barbara J. Stephenson, Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy in London.
2020s
Awareness Sunday was held in 2020, with the theme A Sign of Hope.[5][6] The event has not been held in 2021, 2022 or 2023.[7]
