At a time when communities can too easily become divided by misunderstanding and stereotypes, HumanKind is demonstrating the power of bringing people together and encouraging honest conversation.
Developed through the work of Karimia Institute and now continuing through New Horizon Trust, HumanKind has a clear ambition: to help build a society in which people from different backgrounds understand one another, trust one another and live together in harmony.
Importantly, the approach behind HumanKind has also been the subject of published academic research examining how meaningful engagement can build trust between British Muslims and the wider community.
From Trust Building to HumanKind
HumanKind began as the Trust Building Project, launched in 2016 to improve relationships between Muslims and the wider community. The programme recruited and trained volunteer Ambassadors who visited workplaces and community settings to speak openly about Islam, answer questions and challenge common misconceptions.
The idea was simple: rather than allowing perceptions of Muslims to be shaped by headlines, social media or stereotypes, create opportunities for people to meet Muslims, talk to them and ask genuine questions. Today, that important work continues through HumanKind.
Researching the Impact
The programme became the subject of an academic study published in the Journal of Muslim Minority Affairs, entitled “Open, Honest, Passionate and with Some Humor”: Understanding Trust Building Between British Muslims and the Wider Community.
Researchers interviewed workshop participants and Ambassadors to understand how and why the programme was building trust.
One of the strongest findings was the importance of creating a safe environment for honest conversation. Participants reported feeling welcomed and valued the opportunity to discuss Islam, Muslims and issues they had encountered through the media. Friendly, face-to-face interaction helped create trust and provided an opportunity to challenge stereotypes.
Discovering What We Have in Common
The research also found that conversations helped participants recognise the values they shared with Muslims despite differences in faith, culture or lifestyle.
Ambassadors spoke about values such as charity, family and loving your neighbour, helping people recognise connections between Islamic values and those found throughout wider British society.
This is central to HumanKind. We do not need to pretend everyone is the same. Instead, we can respect our differences while recognising the deep bonds of our common humanity.
Challenging Stereotypes Through Human Connection
Personal stories were another powerful part of the programme. Rather than talking about Muslims as an abstract group, Ambassadors shared their own lives, experiences and beliefs.
The research found that these conversations helped expose misconceptions and encouraged participants to reconsider assumptions. Dialogue and personal interaction helped promote understanding, reduce apprehension and humanise the Muslim community. Ultimately, HumanKind is about people meeting people.
Continuing the HumanKind Journey
The researchers identified three main ways in which the programme built trust: open dialogue, challenging stereotypes through personal experiences and stories, and developing understanding through shared values.
Today, Karimia Institute and New Horizon Trust are committed to building on this work through HumanKind Ambassadors, community engagement, workshops, youth activities, women’s engagement and partnerships with other organisations.
Our ambition goes beyond correcting misconceptions about Islam. We want to create opportunities for people who may never normally meet to sit together, talk openly, learn from one another and build lasting relationships.
The research reinforces something we have believed for many years: stronger communities are built through relationships. When people meet openly, listen sincerely and discover their shared humanity, barriers begin to fall, and trust begins to grow.
That is HumanKind, and that is the work Karimia Institute and New Horizon Trust are committed to continuing. For more information about the project and to learn about its impact, you can read our published research article HERE.
