Religion remains a highly divisive identity in many parts of the modern world, and inter-religious conflicts continue to create flashpoints around the globe. A study in the US recently found that religious bias is a reality of the workplace and of strong concern to the workforce.

News/Articles
Anil Bhanop, general secretary of the Hindu Council UK aeruges in an article in The Times, that religious policy in Britain has for too long failed to take account of the country’s Indian community. To read the full article please visit the Times website.

Terms
Some religious terms are expained in this document. If you would like to find out some basic information regarding the history, customs and worship of various religions and beliefs please visit the BBC website.

Facts
In the last census (2001)people were asked to state their religion. The results showed that:

			In England and Wales, 36 million people (nearly 7 out of 10) described their ethnicity as White and their religion as Christian.
			Among other faiths the largest groups were Pakistani Muslims (658,000) and Indian Hindus (467,000) followed by Indian Sikhs (301,000), Bangladeshi Muslims (260,000) and White Jews (252,000).
			The Indian group was religiously diverse: 45 per cent of Indians were Hindu, 29 per cent Sikh and a further 13 per cent Muslim.
			15 per cent of the English and Welsh population reported having no religion

For more information please visit the National Statistics website.

Legislation

			Article 9 of the Human Rights Act 1998 Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief, in worship, teaching, practice and observance.
			The Fair Employment and Treatment (Northern Ireland) Order 1998 (FETO) The Order prohibits direct discrimination in employment on the grounds of religious belief or political opinion. It places a number of specific duties on employers not replicated in other anti-discrimination legislation, in Northern Ireland or in Great Britain.
			EU Employment Directive 2000 The Directive requires EU member states policies to outlaw unfair discrimination on the grounds of religion or belief. The legislation makes it unlawful for employers to discriminate directly or indirectly when dealing with issues such as requests for leave for religious observance, or in laying down rules on dress, uniform etc.
			Treaty of Amsterdam, May 1999 Article 13 provides the European Union with a legal basis for action against discrimination based on religion or belief.
			Equality bill