Issue 109 December 2018
Wishing you Peace and Joy at Christmas and throughout the New Year
INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Nobel Peace Prize 2018 13 Editorial 2 Nobel Prize and Religion 14 Pope condemns Anti-Semitism 3 Blasphemy Laws in Pakistan 15 Service for Pittsburgh Synagogue 5 News in Brief from PCID 16 Deepavali 6 Encounters 17 Remembrance at Mandir 7 Swami Vivekananda 18 Tree Planting Tool Kit 7 Vivekananda’s Chicago Address 20 Vatican Message to Sikhs 8 Breaking News 20 Multi-Faith Peace Ceremony 9 Peace Award 10 Correspondence 21 Peace Award Speech 11 Contacts 22 Interfaith in Islington 12 Calendar of Religious Festivals 24 Glimpses of a Holy City (4) 13 De Mello: Charism 28 Westminster Interfaith Editorial Welcome to the winter edition of our Interfaith Newsletter, which is packed with news from home and abroad, highlighting the growing interest, awareness and need for interreligious dialogue and engagement at all levels. It is always difficult to decide what to include, when there is so much happening at an interfaith level. We try to vary our articles so that the traditions of many faiths are represented. We often include events from abroad because what affects one part of the world, or a particular group of people, is likely to have an impact here in Great Britain, which probably has the greatest variety of religions and cultures in the world. We have just celebrated National Inter Faith Week, which, this year, was officially one day longer and included the 100th Anniversary of Armistice Day. Many events had World War 1 as their theme. Some were connected to religious festivals or were held before the week or postponed because of them. It meant that Inter Faith Week went on for about three weeks and attracted even more people than ever before, which is great news. It reflects a growing awareness that we need to get to know one another better. Indeed, I no longer feel that we are just a bunch of people who meet with good intentions, but, I feel we have become a family of brothers and sisters, who love one another and are working together to help build a better world of peace, harmony and mutual respect. This year, Parliament Week coincided with In- ter Faith Week. Many politicians got involved. Some MPs hosted interfaith events and activities at the Houses of Parliament. The web of fellowship is spreading. In this issue, some articles include some significant speeches. Pope Francis speaks on anti-Semitism and interreligious dialogue to a group of Mountain Jews. Swami Vivekananda addresses the first Parliament of Religions. Of course, we have includ- ed our own Sister Elizabeth’s acceptance speech when she was awarded a Peace Prize for her interfaith work. Congratulations! We try to avoid politics, but it seemed appropriate to mention Pakistan and the awful blasphemy laws, which affect all religious minorities, especially now that Asia Bibi has been released from 9 years in prison but still cannot leave the country. At the time of writing, Muslims are celebrating the Birthday of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). Sikhs are celebrating the Birth Anniversary of their first guru, Guru Nanak. The Jewish festival of Chanukkah begins as Christians enter the Advent season in preparation for the Birthday of Jesus, which we commemorate on Christmas Day. We wish all our readers joyful religious festivals as well as a fruitful and inspiring 2019 filled with much joy, peace and blessings!
Jon and the Westminster Interfaith Team
2 Westminster Interfaith Pope Francis Condemns Anti-Semitism On Sunday 28 October, Pope Francis spoke to the crowds in St Peter’s Square as usual and denounced the inhuman” and “terrible attack” on a synagogue, and prayed for an end to the “flames of hatred” that fuelled it. He was referring to the attack that took place the day before at a Shabbat service, when a gunman started shooting indiscriminately inside the Tree of Life Synagogue, while shouting, “All Jews must die” and anti-Semitic slurs. The attack left at least 11 adults dead, and wounded several others including four police officers. It was one of the deadliest attacks against the Jewish community in the USA, and took place amidst a cli- mate of hate-speeches and violence, as the nation moved towards crucial midterm elections.
Pope Francis has frequently spoken out against religiously inspired violence and anti-Semitism. He had an opportunity to repeat his views ten days later, when he received a delegation of Rabbis from the ancient community of Mountain Jews.
I am pleased to be able to include a Vatican translation of his speech below.
Pope’s Address to Mountain Jews
Dear Friends,
I offer a warm welcome to you, the delegates of the World Congress of Mountain Jews from different countries. It is the first time that Jewish brothers and sisters belonging to your ancient tradition have come as a group to visit the Pope. For this reason too, our meeting today is a reason for joy.
Most recently, I met with a Jewish community in Lithuania on 23 September last. It was a day devoted to the commemoration of the Shoah, 75 years after the destruction of the Vilnius ghetto and the murder of thousands of Jews. I prayed before the monument to the victims of the Holocaust and I asked the Most High to comfort his people. The Holocaust must be commemorated so that there will be a living memory of the past. Without a living memory, there will be no future, for if the darkest pages of history do not teach us to avoid the same errors, human dignity will remain a dead letter.
Speaking of the Shoah, I would like to recall two other tragic events. Another dramatic seventy-fifth anniversary took place on 16 October last: that of the raid on the Roman ghetto. Just a few days from now, 9 November will mark the 80th anniversary of the Kristallnacht, when many Jewish places of worship were de- stroyed, not least with the intent of uprooting from the hearts of individuals and a people that which is absolutely inviolable: the presence of the Creator. The at- tempt to replace the God of goodness with the idolatry of power and the ideology of hatred ended in the folly of exterminating creatures. Consequently, religious
3 Westminster Interfaith freedom is a supreme good to be safeguarded, a fundamental human right and a bul- wark against the claims of totalitarianism.
Sadly, anti-Semitic attitudes are also present in our own times. As I have often re- peated, a Christian cannot be an anti-Semite; we share the same roots. It would be a contradiction of faith and life. Rather, we are called to commit ourselves to ensure anti-Semitism is banned from the human community.
I have always sought to emphasize the importance of friendship between Jews and Catholics. It is based on a fraternity grounded in the history of salvation and it finds concrete expression in concern for one another. Together with you, I would like to offer thanks to the Giver of every gift for the blessing of our friendship, which is a reason and an impetus to mutual dialogue. In these times, we are called to promote and to expand interreligious dialogue for the sake of humanity.
In this regard, I readily think back with you to the moving interreligious encounter in Azerbaijan two years ago, where I remarked that religions can be builders of har- mony “based on personal relations and on the good will of those responsible”. This is indeed our path: “a path of dialogue with others and a path of prayer for all. These are our means of turning ‘spears into pruning hooks’ (cf. Is 2:4), so as to give rise to love where there is hatred, and forgiveness where there is offence, without ever growing weary of imploring and tracing the ways of peace”. For “now is not the time for violent or abrupt solutions, but rather an urgent moment to engage in pa- tient processes of reconciliation” (2 October 2016). It is to this fundamental task that we are called.
I ask the Almighty to bless our journey of friendship and trust, so that we can dwell always in peace and be, wherever we find ourselves, artisans and builders of peace. Shalom aleichem!
With thanks to Zenit News from the Vatican
PS. Mountain Jews date back to the 5th Century. They are descended from Persian Jews, who came from modern day Iran. They were known to be great warriors and horsemen, who lived in mountainous communities near the Caspian Sea for many cen- turies. After the fall of the Soviet Union, they are now spread across many regions, with the largest communities living in Russia and Azerbaijan. They have never visited a Pope before. Pope Francis was delighted to receive them. Date for your Diary 34th Annual Pilgrimage for Peace will take place on Saturday 8th June 2019 (Vigil of Pentecost / Shavuot) in and around Wimbledon in the Borough of Merton.
4 Westminster Interfaith Memorial Service for Pittsburgh Synagogue
I was shocked, upset and disgusted, when I heard about the vicious attack on the Synagogue in Pittsburgh, while the Jewish community were at prayer, celebrating Shabbat and holding a naming ceremony for a child. I felt we should do something immediately to show our solidarity with the Jewish community. I was in France at the time, nowhere near a synagogue, so when the West London Synagogue (WLS) invited me to a Memorial Service on the 31st October, I knew I had to be there. We had returned from France that afternoon. It was Halloween. Children wearing imaginative and ghoulish costumes were already knocking on doors for trick or treat. The houses they knocked at were covered in cobwebs and spiders with carved and decorated pumpkins on the walls. Many adults too had decided to join in the festivities by also dressing up. Trains and buses carried adults wearing macabre make-up and costumes, all probably going to a Halloween party somewhere. I was not sure what to make of all this enthusiasm for Halloween. What seemed clear was that they were all having fun. Normally, on this eve, I would attend a Vigil Mass for the feast of All Saints (All Hallows), but this evening, I was making my way to a synagogue to attend a Memorial Service for the dead, injured and bereaved from the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I was not going there to have fun but to be united with our brothers and sisters of the Jewish community and with people of faith in solemn prayer. WLS prepared a very moving and appropriate service in Hebrew and English with plenty of opportunity for everyone to join in the prayers. Rabbi Helen Freeman welcomed us and opened the service with a prayer. We shared a powerful prayer for peace. We all stood for the statement of faith in one God, Shema Israel. Many other beautiful prayers followed led by different rabbis. We prayed for the 11 members who were killed in the attack – the youngest were two brothers in their fifties, the oldest were both in their late nineties. To remember the dead, but also a sign of soli- darity and peace, most people got up to light a candle, while everyone, who knew it, sang an appropriate song in Hebrew. It was a very moving moment. Well over 100 people attended. They were mainly Jews from the synagogue but there were also other people of faith. We thank WLS for organizing the service at such short notice. We do need to sup- port one another more often, not just in times of crisis, disasters or sorrow. The next Jewish festival is Chanukkah between 3-10 December. It is a joyful occa- sion. Most Synagogues will be holding interfaith services during that week. It will be a good opportunity to share in their joy, especially if you have never been to a synagogue before. If you would like to learn more about Chanukkah (Festival of Lights), go to: https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/hanukkah-101/
5 Westminster Interfaith Vatican Message for Deepavali The Hindu festival of Diwali, celebrated this year, from 7-11 November, recalls the night when Lord Rama returned to his palace in Ayodhya with his wife Sita and brother Laxman after a 14-year exile. The people decided to greet their beloved king by lighting his path with rows of 'diyas' (lamps). This is the origin of the name. Deepavali (deep=diya + avali=line) which means the line or row of lamps. It is often shortened to Diwali. The festival also celebrates the victory of light over darkness, good over evil. Diwali is also celebrated by Jains and Sikhs for different reasons.
We sent the Vatican message to a number of organizations, Mandirs and friends with our own very brief message, We wish you a Happy and Illuminating Diwali and a Happy and Peaceful New Year! May the Divine Light dispel any sorrow or darkness and enlighten your path with peace, success, happiness and fulfilment. We received many beautiful and touching ‘thank you’ replies.
We took the message to BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Neasden for Hindu New Year and the celebration of Annakut (a mountain of food), in which devotees prepare and offer a large variety of vegetarian food to the murtis of Paramatma (God) as a mark of gratitude. In fact, the Mandir was full of different dishes— colourful mountains of them—beautifully prepared and artistically decorated. The air was full of their spicy fragrance. Thousands of devotees came to view, pray, pay their respects and receive blessings for the coming year. Nitin Palan, the interfaith adviser, gave Bishop John Sherrington and me a wonderful tour of the Temple and an explanation of many Hindu traditions, beliefs and practices. We also met some of the monks and Bishop John was able to convey greetings from Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Pope Francis and a summary of the Vatican message, which was signed by Bishop Miguel Angel Ayuso-Guixot, Secretary of the Pontifical Council for Interre- ligious Dialogue.
The message invites Christians and Hindus to work together in defending, protect- ing, assisting and alleviating the suffering of the vulnerable members of society: “the poor, infirm, elderly, disabled, destitute, abandoned, migrants; those socially, religiously, culturally and linguistically marginalized and excluded; and the victims of abuse and violence, especially women and children”. Because the moral duty to care for them “springs from our shared belief that we are all God's creatures and, as a result, brothers and sisters, equal in dignity, with responsibility for one another”, we should “cultivate a culture of care and concern in their regard”, so that “no one feels unwanted, unloved, ignored or left out”. All people need to be involved. The message invites Christians and Hindus to “join hands with the adherents of other re- ligious traditions and all people of good will, and make a collective and concerted efforts to secure a joyful present and a hopeful future for our vulnerable brothers and sisters!” It ends by wishing all Hindus a happy Deepavali.
6 Westminster Interfaith Remembrance Service at the Mandir To mark the 100th anniversary of Armistice Day (11 November 1918), BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir held a special interfaith service on 16 November during Na- tional Interfaith Week. Neasden Temple, as many people like to call the Mandir, or- ganized the event to pay tribute to the many soldiers, of all faiths and none, from India and the Commonwealth, who served during the First World War. More than 1.5 million Indian Army soldiers served in the Great War, 74,000 were killed and 11 received Victoria Crosses.
Representatives from various faiths began the assembly by lighting lamps. A trum- peter played marches of the British and Indian armies as well as the national an- thems of Great Britain and India, while children held up 53 flags of the Common- wealth nations. Children and soldiers recited poems by Sarojini Naidu and Rabindranath Tagore. Politicians, civic and faith leaders delivered powerful speech- es. It was a wonderful demonstration of solidarity among people of different ethnic, cultural and political backgrounds. Lord Ahmad, Minister of State for the Com- monwealth and the UN and the Prime Minister’s Special Envoy on Freedom of Re- ligion or Belief, described the event as “an incredible demonstration of the unity of mankind, the unity of remembrance, appreciation of friendship and ties of kinship”.
I think we can all subscribe to the words of Swami Yogvivekdas, Head Swami of the Mandir. He concluded the event by sharing His Holiness Mahant Swami Maha- raj’s message for the evening: “I pray for the peace and liberation of the many souls who sacrificed their lives for all of us – not only in World War 1 but in all the many wars since. May their sacrifices always be remembered and may the need for such sacrifices never arise again.”
Inter Faith Tree Planting Tool Kit Over the past couple of months, Faiths Forum for London has been collecting quotes from the scriptures and traditions of the different faiths, which emphasize the importance of trees or allude to the importance of caring for the planet. The aim is to collate these quotes and include them in an Interfaith Tree Planting Tool Kit. Many quotes have arrived. I hope they all get collated soon so that the Tool Kit will be ready for Tu B’Shevat, which falls on 21 January. This minor Jewish festival celebrates the New Year for trees. In Jewish tradition, 15th Shevat is the day when the sap in the trees begins to rise, heralding the beginning of spring. It is customary for Jews all over the world to plant young trees at this time. Regardless of when one does the planting, all trees have their anniversaries on 21st January! The London Borough of Southwark invites you to attend an interfaith tree-planting at St George the Martyr churchyard on Borough High Street at 3pm on Wednesday, 28 November.
7 Westminster Interfaith Vatican Message to Sikhs The Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue (PCID) sent greetings to the Sikh community on 23 November as they celebrate the Birth Anniversary of Guru Nanak, the first Sikh guru and founder of the Sikh religion. The message, this year, invites Christians and Sikhs to promote a culture of tenderness for the wellbeing of all human beings, “since a culture of self-centredness and indifference towards one another seems to be taking root almost everywhere”.
I think Sikhs will agree with the above statement and will warm to the content of the message because it attempts to define tenderness as a gift from God, which in- cludes kindness, gentleness, care and concern towards others. These are qualities Sikhs possess in plenty and regularly put into practice. I meet kindness everyday in my contact with Sikhs, whether at a personal or institutional level. Even recently, there was a TV documentary on the Sikh Welfare Awareness Team (SWAT), based in Southall, which is taking langar, the free community kitchen, to the streets and feeding hundreds of needy and homeless people every night. Sikh temples (Gurdwaras) too are often open all day. There, needy people can find a nourishing meal at almost any time of day without any questions asked.
The message quotes Pope Francis, who describes tenderness as “ a movement that starts from the heart and reaches the eyes, the ears and the hand”. He regularly calls for a “revolution of tenderness” directed to all levels of society, “specially the poor, the weak, the sick, the elderly, the disabled and the migrants, no matter which reli- gious tradition they belong to”. It invites us to extend tenderness “to the whole of creation because caring for the earth and caring for one another go hand in hand”.
The message encourages us to spread the culture of tenderness far and wide in all our relationships, whether in the family, in schools, at work, everywhere. If we all adopt an “altruistic, benevolent and respectful behaviour towards others . . . there is bound to be greater harmony and peace in our world”. The culture of tenderness can be “the new model even for interreligious engagements and joint achievements, and for building a better world through shared vision and common action”.
The message invites Christians and Sikhs to join hands with others to do all we can, “in humility and human solidarity, to promote a ‘culture of tenderness’ for the well- being of every human being and for the welfare of the entire created world!”
It ends wishing all Sikhs a joyous and serene Prakash Diwas of Guru Nanak Dev Ji.
Sikhs throughout the world are preparing to celebrate 550th Anniversary of the birth of Sikhism next year starting this year on Guru Nanak’s Birthday.
8 Westminster Interfaith BATCA Multi-Faith Peace Ceremony I am always delighted to take part in the annual multi-faith peace ceremony outside Tooting Broadway station. It also gives me the opportunity of meeting people I have not seen for a long time as well as meet new people. We must congratulate Balham and Tooting Community Association (BATCA) for putting together such a solemn and joyful event of multi-faith witness and prayer every year usually to coincide with the Interfaith Week of Prayer for World Peace. This year, it took place the week before on 10th October. The weather was mild and warm for this time of year and at 6pm, there was still daylight. It was encouraging to see many commuters stay or pause to see what was happening. A bunch of girls from the local Islamic school were busy at the peace stall laying out candles to light for peace, speakers were arriving including the Mayor of Wandsworth. At 6pm, Rev Andrew Davey of St Augustine’s Church welcomed everyone and gave a brief explanation of why we were here and what was going to happen. He invited Venerable G. Nagase to open the ceremony with a prayer from the Buddhist tradi- tion. He rang his bell, beat his drum and began to chant: Namu Myo Ho Ren Ge Kyo. Elsa from the Salvation Army offered a prayer from the Christian tradition. Two girls from the Islamic school gave a powerful testimony on the need for soli- darity between the faiths in order to build better community relations and strive for world peace together. The Mayor of Wandsworth expressed his gratitude to BATCA, the faith leaders and those who came and supported the event. He also reminded us that this year was the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War, or the Great War as he preferred to call it. Simon, from Summerstown Association, picked up the theme of the War and explained how lots of people of faith had been making Doves of Peace for Ar- mistice Day to be placed on the houses of those who died in the Great War. Ali, the leader of the local Shi’a Mosque, added some more prayers and explained the events of Ashura, when the troops of Caliph Yazid attacked and killed Husain, the Prophet’s grandson and his family at Karbala. A Sikh priest from the local Gurd- wara, chanted a hymn from the Guru Granth Sahib. Many Sikhs in the crowd, not all wearing turbans, joined in with great solemnity. Unfortunately, there was not a Jew- ish representative nor a Hindu because Hindus were celebrating Navaratri. We also had a speech from Simon Hogg, representing Dr Rosena Allin-Khan, MP for Tooting, who could not be present because of a 7pm vote in parliament. He re- minded us that when Sadiq Khan was MP for Tooting, he never missed this event. Rev Andrew closed the proceedings with a prayer, and invited us to come to the BATCA Awards Ceremony later this year. He hoped to see us again next autumn.
9 Westminster Interfaith Wilson/Hickes Peace Award On Sunday 14th October 2018, the Interfaith Week of Prayer for World Peace (WPWP) awarded three people the annual Gordon Wilson / Sidney Hinkes Award, named after two former chairs of WPWP, who created the award to recognise sig- nificant contributions by individuals, organisations or projects in furthering peace, justice and reconciliation. The Award seeks to focus on grassroots initiatives, ena- bling otherwise untold stories to be told and honoured and to inspire others to work for peace. At a ceremony in the High Wycombe Quaker Meeting House, John Morris, Issa Souf and Sister Elizabeth O’Donohoe, each received £500 in recognition for their work towards peace, in front of a packed audience of people of many faiths (and none). Even the awful weather did not deter friends and well-wishers from turning up. The prize-winners spoke about how they would spend the money. John Morris, Guildford peace campaigner and National Organiser for the Peace Party, used one poster to explain the close relationships between universal human values and peace and another poster to show how to set up a “Global Securi- ty system – An Alternative to War” for the resolution of conflict. He plans to use the money to encourage 10 to 13 year-olds in the Guildford area to begin thinking deeply about a future world where a military organisation will not be necessary to maintain peace. The children would produce an essay or other presentation on how to help build a safer, more secure and peaceful world without the use of weapons. Issa Souf, a Palestinian Muslim from the West Bank was left paraplegic by the military. He successfully sued them for their wrongful use of real bullets. He will use the award money to build a meditation hall in his village. Sister Elizabeth O’Donohoe is a member of the Sisters of the Holy Cross and a member of her parish justice and peace group at St Mellitus Church, Tollington Park, North London. She joined the Westminster Interfaith Team in 1994 and be- came the North London representative. She received the award for “her outstand- ing long service to the cause of peace and interfaith relations.” Relations she has carefully nurtured by her regular attendance at the Islington Interfaith Forum, get- ting to know and befriend local faith communities and leaders. For 20 years, she has been part of the Finsbury Park Christian and Muslim Leaders group, which meets monthly to discuss faith, life and current concerns. She is a member of Pax Christi, and supports the annual Hiroshima and Nagasaki Day vigils, Ash Wednes- day liturgy outside the Ministry of Defence, and similar public events. She plans to use the prize-money to help re-print a book by Brother Daniel Faivre, an interfaith pioneer, who founded Westminster Interfaith in 1982 and initiated the annual multi- faith pilgrimages in 1986. (See Sr Elizabeth’s Peace Award speech on next page.)
Adapted from Peace Party and Pax Christi Websites
10 Westminster Interfaith Sr Elizabeth’s Peace Award Speech The cynic says, ‘Religion has caused more wars than any other single thing’ – and History is on the cynic's side. What makes the cynic a cynic and not just the teller of the facts is that the cynic is sure that none of that can be changed. He/she is a cynic – and not a visionary. There are visionaries here today – people who believe that things can be changed, if we do not let ourselves be limited by 'the facts': that Peace can be advanced – if the work people do for Peace is supported. The Award, I am being given today, is given by people with a vision of a more peace- ful world, and I thank them for their vision and their faith. By the way, the award is given to me, but I do not, could not, work alone. Westminster Interfaith Team, to which I belong, is an organization with a vision. Liv- ing in close proximity to people of different faith traditions and cultures: we go to their events; we visit their places of worship; we are curious about what they believe and what they practice. In other words, we give them RESPECT. Br Daniel Faivre, who with Cardinal Basil Hume, set up Westminster Interfaith cer- tainly deserves the title visionary; after 30 years in education in the Far East, he re- turned to Europe and went to live … in that sub-continent of the Indian sub- continent, Southall – already home to thousands of Sikhs and Hindus, some Bud- dhists and in time many Muslims. These were his neighbours, fellow-people of faith, and he stepped over the thresholds of their temples, mosques and prayer halls, and made them feel welcome to enter his place of worship. He taught Catholics like me to see the value in other faith traditions and to believe in the power of interfaith friendship and collaboration to further Peace. He was an educator. He tried every im- aginative way to evangelize his own faith-people through interfaith rituals with casts of a thousand. I recall Sunday afternoons in any venue he could beg, borrow or steal big enough to house such events. He wrote books with an interfaith perspective on every subject under the sun: the environment, women in various cultures, even Southall a Holy City. One important way, which he started, and we have continued, was to lead a multi-faith Pilgrimage each year in some area of London, allowing the faith communities to be our hosts and to teach us about who they are. He invited me to join this work, and although I don't have his other gifts, I can be a part of planning and leading a pilgrimage. Like him, I am keen to work in my own locality – mine is north London, where the Jewish and Muslim communities predominate. I have become part of a multi-faith forum, with strong connections to the local council. It is an effective body – evidence of which, was seen in our response to the attack on a Finsbury Park mosque, at the end of Ramadan, in June 2017. We offered immediate sympathy, protection and on- going solidarity, which has served only to cement our relationship. Our common work and fellowship have gone from strength to strength. Our Street Iftar in the Ramadan of 2017 and 2018 – stretching from the Mosque at one end of the street to 11 Westminster Interfaith the Anglican Church at the other has been a sight to warm the heart. In recognition, the Faith Forum, this year, received the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service. “Soft power” I suppose this might be called in most quarters; but we should call it Peace – that peace which St Paul tells us is the fruit of the work of the Holy Spirit, who commends us to give the dignity that is deserved to all faith traditions. You have awarded us some money to spend on furthering our work for Peace through interfaith. For some years, we have wanted to republish a book of Br Dan- iel's - readings and prayers from different faiths, and we have been unable to afford to do so. Now, we think we might – thanks to your recognition. I would like to offer you a copy of the 2005 version of the book, which we hope to edit and illustrate, along with our Pilgrimage Booklet produced for the 33rd Annual Peace Pilgrimage of 2018. Thank you for encouraging us.
Interfaith in Islington - Autumn 2018 September, in Islington, is Peace month – and the Faith Forum has staged two big events – their Peace Cup for local football teams (faith-based and not) for young people, otherwise possibly at risk. 12 teams took part – an increase on 2017. It is a joint venture of the local faith & business community with the Sports for All facility of the borough. I spent a few hours there on 30th September, until I gradual- ly froze to death, enjoying the games, the relationship between coaches and their teams and the vigilance of both the police and the youth workers – the dedication of them all to these youngsters was inspiring. The Finsbury Park Mosque B Team won and a professional footballer turned up at the last minute to present the Cup. The other event in September is the Peace Assemblies. We presented 16 to primary, special needs, school refusal units and secondary schools. The charity “Facing His- tory” delivered the assemblies, and people of two different faiths gave a perspective from their faith traditions. I did two primary schools, both with a Buddhist. I really enjoyed the contact with schools – again inspiring staff at all levels. To look ahead, in November, there will be an interfaith Youth Debate on the subject: Having a faith community gives a sense of one's own identity – true or false. We look forward to hearing the young people make their arguments – and impress us again, as they have done in former years. Sr Elizabeth October 2018
Reminder 34th Annual Multi-Faith Pilgrimage for Peace Saturday 8th June 2019 in and around Wimbledon in the Borough of Merton 12 Westminster Interfaith Glimpses of a Holy City—My Town (4) Sunday is a good day for a pilgrimage. For a start, Christian places of worship are sure to be open, at least for a good part of the day. (Most of them, incidentally, are closed on weekdays. It is on Sundays that most groups hiring public halls hold their services. On Sundays, also, congregations are larger, ritual normally more complex – and sermons longer, a joy for some, I am told! All gurdwaras, mandirs and mosques open every day, from morning to evening, though it may happen that one or other may, on a weekday, close outside prayer times, due to shortage of personnel and fear of vandalism. In case of doubt, a quick telephone call will be useful. I remember the details of the first multi-faith pilgrimage I organized in Southall. That was on Sunday, 4th May 1986 – the year that Pope John Paul II invited world religious leaders to meet with him at Assisi to pray and fast for peace. Early in the morning, led by Npponzan Myohoji monks, beating their drums, we left the Domin- ion Centre and proceeded to St John’s in Church Avenue. We then stopped at the Gurdwara in Havelock Road. After listening to hymns and sharing in the langar, we left for Adelaide Road. We paused briefly for prayer in front of the Salvation Army Citadel, moved on to Montague Waye and stopped for a moment of silence in front of the locked gates of the mosque. We walked along Western Road and entered the Shri Guru Ravidass Gurdwara. We retraced our steps along Western Road, and turned left into King Street where we were welcomed at the Shri Ram Mandir. That was followed by Holy Mass at St Anselm’s on The Green. After a quick sandwich in the church hall, we proceeded to the Methodist King’s Hall, where we sang hymns. Then we visited the Ramgarhia Gurdwara in Oswald Road, and then Shackleton Hall, where we joined the Sai Baba Fellowship for prayers. After speeches and re- freshments, we retraced our steps along Lady Margaret Road, stopped outside the former Town Hall, and there, in silence, we prayed for peace. Br Daniel Faivre 2001
Nobel Peace Prize 2018 Denis Mukwege and Nadia Murad received the 2018 Nobel Peace Prize "for their efforts to end the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war and armed conflict." The award citation read, "Each of them, in their own way, has helped to give greater visibility to war-time sexual violence, so that the perpetrators can be held accounta- ble for their actions."
Denis Mukwege is a gynaecologist specializing in the treatment of women vic- timized by sexual violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He is the third of nine children born to a Pentecostal minister and his wife. He studied medicine be- cause he wanted to heal the sick people for whom his father prayed, after seeing the 13 Westminster Interfaith complications of childbirth experienced by women in the Congo who had no access to specialist healthcare.
Nadia Murad is a Yazidi human rights advocate who now lives in Germany. She survived sexual slavery by the so-called Islamic State in Iraq and published a memoir of the ordeal. At the age of 19, Murad was a student living in the village of Kojo in northern Iraq when Islamic State fighters rounded up the Yazidi community in the village killing 600 people – including six of Nadia's brothers and stepbrothers – and taking the younger women into slavery. That year, Murad was one of more than 6,700 Yazidi women taken prisoner by Islamic State in Iraq. Held as a slave in the city of Mosul, she was beaten, burned with cigarettes, and raped, when trying to escape. She did manage to get away and make her way to a refugee camp in north- ern Iraq. In 2015, she was one of 1,000 women and children to benefit from a refu- gee programme of the Government of Baden-Württemberg, (Germany), which be- came her new home.
On 16 December 2015, Murad briefed the United Nations Security Council on the issue of human trafficking and conflict. This was the first briefing the Council ever received on human trafficking. In August 2018, Murad became engaged to fellow Yazidi human rights activist Abid Shamdeen.
Dr Denis Mukwege is the first Congolese and Nadia Murad the seventeenth woman and first Iraqi to receive the Nobel Peace Prize.
The Nobel Prize and Religion In reading about this year’s Nobel Peace Prize winners, I was curious to find out how many Nobel Laureates, especially Peace Laureates, were people of faith and to what extent their faith inspired them to action. I also wondered how many Laureates were women.
Both Mukwege and Murad were committed people of faith. I do not think that the Nobel Committee normally considers the person’s religion when awarding the prize and that is probably right and proper. However, since 1901, when the first Peace Prize was awarded, the majority of prize winners were people of faith. I believe that, it was their faith, which motivated them to fight injustice at all levels.
According to Baruch A. Shalev, 100 Years of Nobel Prizes (2003), which deals with all Nobel Prize winners between 1901 and 2000, 654 Laureates belong to 28 differ- ent religions. Most, 65.4% identified Christianity, in its various forms, as their reli- gious preference. Christians have won 78.3% of all the Nobel Prizes in Peace.
Among Peace Prize winners, 11 are Black, mainly Christians, 17 women out of 51 Nobel Laureates in all disciplines, 7 Muslims and 9 Jews.
14 Westminster Interfaith Blasphemy Laws in Pakistan Media attention recently has quite rightly focussed on the plight of Asia Bibi, a Christian mother, who had been in prison on death row for 9 years on a charge of blasphemy. The Supreme Court of Pakistan finally acquitted her of the charge and released her from prison on 31 October. However, we seem to forget, that the ma- jority of Pakistanis in prison, on the charge of blasphemy, are actually Muslims or consider themselves Muslim. Shia Muslims, for instance, account for roughly a fifth of the population in Pakistan, which is home to the second largest Shia popu- lation after Iran.
There is large-scale persecution of all religious minorities in Pakistan. Extremist groups regularly target and kill Pakistani Hindus and Christians. The authorities ar- rest them on trumped-up charges of blasphemy, and then leave them to languish in jail for many years. Numerous Shia mosques and shrines are located across the country. Islamist extremists often attack them. Sufis and Ahmadis also suffer. The Pakistani Law does not recognize Ahmadis as Muslims. It even forbids them to use Islamic language, like calling God “Allah”. When applying for a passport,they are required to declare that the founder of the Ahmadiyya community, Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, was an impostor prophet and his followers are non-Muslims.
According to the National Commission for Justice and Peace (NCJP), 633 Mus- lims, 494 Ahmadis, 187 Christians and 21 Hindus have been accused under various clauses of the blasphemy law since 1987. The vast majority of these cases were for desecration of the Koran - far fewer for blasphemy against the Prophet Muham- mad. Many critics say that the laws are often used to settle personal scores and have little or nothing to do with religion. The mere accusation of blasphemy is enough to make someone a target for hardliners, as is defending those accused of blasphemy or calling for the laws to be reformed.
This was the case for Salman Taseer and two prominent politicians, who opposed the blasphemy laws and chose to support Asia Bibi when she was sentenced to death in 2010. Extremists killed them in 2011. Recently, Saiful Mulook, Asia Bibi’s lawyer, fled Pakistan to seek political asylum, after receiving death threats. Thousand took to the streets asking for the death sentence on both Bibi and her lawyer. The new government, led by Imran Khan, seems unable or unwilling to do anything about it. Many are still languishing in prison on blasphemy charges and, to appease the extremists, the government has forbidden Asia Bibi from leaving Pa- kistan. At the moment, she is in hiding.
It is a shame that this situation should exist in Pakistan, where extremists seem to rule, minorities suffer and certain people cannot respect differences of opinion but prefer to carry out atrocities in the name of religion even against highly respected individuals. Abdus Salam, for instance, received the Nobel Prize for Physics in
15 Westminster Interfaith 1979. His country rejected him simply because he belonged to the Ahmadiyya com- munity. There are no monuments or universities named after him. They have even erased the word "Muslim" from his gravestone.
Abdul Sattar Edhi, often called the Angel of Mercy, was vilified by aggressive political parties and mullahs for his humanitarian and charitable works. He founded the world's largest volunteer ambulance network, along with homeless shelters, ani- mal shelters, rehab centres and orphanages across Pakistan. In 2014, he was a nomi- nee for the Nobel Peace Prize, but it went instead to Kailash Satyarthi, from India, and young Malala Yousafzai, from Pakistan, "for their struggle against the suppres- sion of children and young people and for the right of all children to education."
When religious clerics and other fanatics said that Edhi was an atheist and would not enter heaven, he replied, “I will not go to paradise where these types of people go, I will go to heaven where the poor and miserable people live.” His legacy will live on. The Edhi Foundation slogan: "Live and help live" should apply throughout the country. We pray that there will be peace and justice in Pakistan for all people.
News in Brief from PCID During the past couple of months, the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue (PCID) was involved in many interfaith events. H.E. Msgr. Miguel Ángel Ayuso Guixot, M.C.C.J., secretary of PCID, was present at the following three events, where he delivered a speech or read a message. I hope to report further on some of these events in future editions.
The First International Buddhist-Christian Dialogue for Nuns took place at Fo Guang Shan, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, from 14-18 October 2018. Seventy nuns, from Taiwan, Korea, Japan, India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong, Cambodia, Philippines, Brazil, Italy, Germany, Norway, the USA and a rep- resentative from the World Council of Churches, participated in the conference.
Second Christian-Taoist Colloquium took place in Singapore from 5-7 November 2018. Seventy scholars and practitioners of interreligious dialogue participated in the Colloquium on Ethics. They came from: Singapore, China, France, India, Ma- laysia, South Korea, Switzerland, Vatican and Taiwan.
230th Anniversary of the “Royal Temple of Chetupon (Wat Pho)” in Bangkok from 1-11 November 2018. H.E. Msgr. Miguel Ángel Ayuso Guixot, M.C.C.J., secretary of PCID, read a message which included greetings from Pope Francis, who met a delegation from the temple in May. The Holy See and Wat Pho enjoy a long-lasting friendship and mutual collaboration, since King Rama VII of Thailand visited Pope Pius XI on 21 March 1934.
16 Westminster Interfaith Encounters St Martin-in-the-Fields organised a most interesting series of lectures this autumn on the theme of Encounters. To support these lectures, there was also an exhibition on the same theme in St Martin’s foyer by the artist Nicola Green.
I missed the first talk by Rt. Revd Rowan Williams on encountering the other. Those who attended assured me it was very interesting and they were still talking about it enthusiastically at the second session of Encounters, which, unlike all the other lec- tures, took place at the Baitul Futuh Mosque in Morden, where the focus of the talks was on Christianity encountering Islam.
It seemed that most of the participants were predominantly Christian, connected to St Martin’s and had never been to the Baitul Futuh Mosque before. They had the op- portunity of having a guided visit of the Mosque, which the majority took up before or after the talks. Light refreshments were available on arrival with the chance to view an exhibition on Islam and the Ahmadiyya community.
At 7.30pm, Fareed Ahmad, MC for the evening, invited the guests to find a seat at any table in the large hall with numerous round tables all set for a meal. We went near the front and everybody on my table immediately began to look at the menu. Some wondering what was in certain dishes, others concerned whether there was a vegetarian option.
As a starter to the talks, an Imam read an extract from the Qur’an on seeking refuge from Satan, while a Christian minister read the Prologue from St John’s Gospel.
Ataul Mujeed Rashed, Imam of the Ahmadiyya Community in London, was the first speaker. He delivered a clear account of Unity and Humanity according to the Islam- ic tradition, quoting extensively from the Quran and from the founder of the Ahmad- iyya community on the Oneness, the attributes and nature of God. For humanity, Imam Rashed gave many examples of the kind, forgiving and compassionate nature of the Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) and of the founder of their community. He con- cluded by saying: ‘let us open our hearts to one another, knock down the walls that divide us and build bridges of love”.
Revd Dr Sam Wells, Vicar of St Martin-in-the-Fields spoke eloquently about Hu- manity and Divinity in the Christian tradition. He focussed on the humanity and di- vinity of Jesus. He spoke at great lengths on the difference between essence and ex- istence, time and space, bringing them together in the doctrine of the incarnation, which is fundamental to Christian belief. He quoted from Kierkegaard, referred to the Enlightenment and concluded with the doctrine of the Trinity, at whose centre is Love and the Cross, “because in the end there is only Love”.
On every table, there were sheets for writing questions for the speakers. Volunteers collected the sheets, while others were bringing food to the tables. There was only time for four questions, which were interesting and dealt with effectively by both
17 Westminster Interfaith speakers. After an exchange of gifts, we paused for a few moments of silent prayer before turning to the dishes of mainly Pakistani food, which now filled the tables.
We chatted about the encounter sessions, St Martin’s, the Ahmadiyya community and got to know one another – most of us had never met. Of, course, we shared the tasty and abundant fare, which young volunteers happily and politely brought us.
It was a good evening, which I believe everyone enjoyed, topped off with some ex- cellent food. Whether anybody changed his or her views on the topics discussed af- ter the event is unlikely. However, we went away with plenty to think about. I am looking forward to the next sessions of Encounters at St Martin’s.
I think one can still listen to the talks on the St Martin’s website.
Swami Vivekananda I was delighted to receive the invitation to attend the Celebration of 125th Anniver- sary of Swami Vivekanada’s historic address at the First World Parliament of Reli- gions, which took place in Chicago in 1893. The Anniversary Celebration took place in the House of Commons on Thursday 15 November at 7pm. It was a joyful cele- bration of readings, speeches, music and song to remember the wonderful speeches of a very special young Hindu monk, who wowed the audience with his presence and with his words.
Swami Vivekananda was a man of prayer, whose sole intention was to follow the will of God by listening to God’s voice within and by service to humanity. He was an important individual in interfaith relations and a key figure in introducing Hindu- ism to the West.
Born 12 January 1863 into an aristocratic Bengali family of Calcutta, Vivekananda soon became drawn towards spirituality and became a Hindu monk following the teachings of Ramakrishna, who taught that all living beings were an embodiment of the divine, therefore service to God could be rendered by service to humanity.
After the passing away of his guru in 1886, he became a wandering monk, hoping to lose himself in silent meditation in desolate places, but every time, some obstacle prevented him from achieving his aim. It tended to be the need to care for a sick monk or the death of a friend. He soon realized that he was not meant to be a recluse striving for personal salvation. He travelled around India, from place to place, trying to be alone with God, but noticed the plight of the ordinary people, crushed down by poverty and ignorance, while materialism and Western ideas blinded the educated classes. Spirituality was at a very low ebb.
Many enlightened people advised him to go to the West and tell people about Hindu philosophy and practices. He heard about the Parliament of Religions and decided he
18 Westminster Interfaith would like to attend to raise funds for the needy masses of India in exchange for the rich spiritual treasures he had gathered over the years. He prayed and prayed for guidance so that his plan would be according to the Will of God. When all doubts had been dispelled, he went from door to door begging money for the journey. He left for America on 31 May 1893. He reached Chicago at the end of July and discov- ered that the Parliament of religions would not begin until September. He needed to be a delegate sponsored by a reputable organization. Registration for the event was already over and to stay in Chicago was too expensive. He went to Boston where things were cheaper. On the train, he met a woman, who invited him to live at her house. She introduced him to a university professor, who was so impressed with the young Hindu monk that he arranged for his admission to the Parliament with the necessary credentials and sponsorship.
When he returned to Chicago, he had lost the address of where he could stay. He ended up sleeping rough and started begging from house to house, without success, until a rich person took pity on him, fed him and gave him shelter. She knew about the Parliament and introduced him to other delegates. With all this providence, he realised he was following God’s will. It gave him courage and a new spirit.
The first Parliament of Religions coincided with a major Exposition celebrating the 400th Anniversary of the discovery of America by Christopher Columbus. The first session took place on Monday 11 September in a packed hall with over 4000 men and women representing all organized religions. Many had come hoping to show that their religion was superior to others but the organizers decided that all religions should be treated equally and valid.
The Parliament opened with a prayer, after which the chairperson invited delegates to read their prepared speeches. Swami Vivekananda had no prepared speech. Every time they invited him to speak, he declined until almost the end of the day, when he stepped up to the rostrum and said simply, “Sisters and Brothers of America”. Whereupon everyone stood up, cheered and applauded for a full two minutes. The Swami was bewildered. At the end of his speech, there was another ovation. The next day, all the papers wrote about this young monk. His reputation spread through- out the USA and beyond. Unfortunately, the Swami died in 1902. The next World Parliament of Religions did not meet for 100 years in 1993. Since then, there have been five more parliaments. The latest met this year in Toronto from 1-7 November. It was a packed programme. I hope to write more about it in the next issue.
In his opening address, Swami Vivekananda stressed the validity of all religions and their harmony. He spoke about intolerance, the need to end all forms of fanaticism and that the goal of human life is to become divine by manifesting this divinity through every thought and action. By living like that would solve all our problems both individual and collective. A slightly edited extract from the speech appears on the next page.
19 Westminster Interfaith Swami Vivekananda Chicago address Sisters and Brothers of America,
“It fills my heart with unspeakable joy to rise in response to the warm and cordial welcome which you have given us. I thank you in the name of the most ancient or- der of monks in the world; I thank you in the name of the mother of religions, and I thank you in the name of millions and millions of Hindu people of all classes and sects.
I am proud to belong to a religion which has taught the world both tolerance and universal acceptance. We believe not only in universal toleration, but we accept all religions as true. I am proud to belong to a nation, which has sheltered the persecut- ed and the refugees of all religions and all nations of the earth.
I am proud to tell you that we have gathered in our bosom the purest remnant of the Israelites, who came to Southern India and took refuge with us in the very year in which their holy temple was shattered to pieces by Roman tyranny. I am proud to belong to the religion, which has sheltered and is still fostering the remnant of the grand Zoroastrian nation. I will quote to you, brethren, a few lines from a hymn which I remember to have repeated from my earliest boyhood, which is every day repeated by millions of human beings: “As the different streams having their sources in different paths which men take through different tendencies, various though they appear, crooked or straight, all lead to Thee.”
The present convention, which is one of the most august assemblies ever held, is in itself a vindication, a declaration to the world of the wonderful doctrine preached in the Gita: “Whosoever comes to Me, through whatsoever form, I reach him; all men are struggling through paths which in the end lead to Me.”
Sectarianism, bigotry, and its horrible descendant, fanaticism, have long possessed this beautiful earth. They have filled the earth with violence, drenched it often with human blood, destroyed civilization and sent whole nations to despair. Had it not been for these horrible demons, human society would be far more advanced than it is now. But their time is come; and I fervently hope that the bell that tolled this morning in honour of this convention may be the death-knell of all fanaticism, of all persecutions with the sword or with the pen, and of all uncharitable feelings be- tween persons wending their way to the same goal.” Breaking News We warmly welcomed Rev’d Richard Sudworth as the new interfaith adviser to the Archbishop of Canterbury at a reception at the Al-Khoei Foundation on 20 Novem- ber. He takes over from Rev’d Mark Poulson, who has been Justin Welby’s adviser for the past four years. We have not lost him. He has been appointed as a Canon at St Paul’s Cathedral and interfaith adviser to the new Bishop of London, Rt. Rev’d Sarah Mullaly. We wish them well and look forward to working with them. 20 Westminster Interfaith Correspondence Dear Jon, I have just finished reading, The Care of the Environment, the Para- from cover to cover, the latest issue of bles of Jesus, Psalms etc. At the mo- the newsletter. I am so happy to see how ment, I am writing on something that has rich and varied its contents are. Well intrigued me for some time: the use of done. I notice the broadening of the Hebrew/Aramaic words and expressions scope and area of interreligious dialogue in the NT in the original and in all subse- to cover football and cricket as well as a quent translations. great emphasis on Peace. I was particu- Alfred larly interested in the article on football as both Angie and I are LFC and Salah’s ***** fans. The speech of the cricket rep. Fr. O’Higgins is quite interesting, a model Mitzvah Day of how a Christian can present himself Dear Jon, Thank you for including me in to non-Christians. your newsletter circulation. It’s quite I admire Bill Ozanne’s energy to do the comprehensive and makes a very inter- travelling he does at his age, knowing esting read! Meanwhile perhaps I could that he had health problems in the past. suggest that this time next year Mitzvah Day is included. Please send me the email addresses of Margaret and Elizabeth as I want to Mitzvah Day is one of the largest days of contact them. Also if you meet Nagase volunteering, last year we had 40,000 give him my best wishes and tell him I participating. It is a Jewish enabled day remember him in my prayers. There is a of volunteering across the UK and in 30 powerful spirit within him that moves other countries. It's always on the last him. Regards also to Rumold, if you Sunday of interfaith week. We had 100 meet him. Do you have any substitutes interfaith projects last year. Have you for Margaret? It is not easy to recruit co- heard of us? workers in your mission. This year, we are partnering with Caritas At 85, I feel my age and get tired easily. and the Catholic church as the Pope has But I still follow interfaith activities and initiated the World Day for the Poor mostly the Vatican news every day. I which happens to fall on the same day, followed the funeral of Cardinal Tauran Sunday Nov 18th. Homeless Sunday is on U- tube on Vatican TV. Has he a suc- also in November and so we are partner- cessor yet? If you meet David Darby at ing with some Anglican church schools Archbishop’s house say hi for me. This and chaplains in several universities. is the best time of my life as I have more time for prayer, which helps me to I’m happy to meet to discuss this further see the world in better perspective. It al- with you and potentially to explore other partnerships. Warm regards so helps me to relish the word of God, the Bible, better than any time before. I Lady Daniela Pears contribute fairly regularly a piece in our Interfaith Chair Mitzvah Day 365 local ecumenical magazine in Slough. I recently wrote articles on topics, like
21 Westminster Interfaith Contacts It is not possible to advertise all the courses Christian Muslim Marriage Support Group and events nor can we include all the organi- Contact Rosalind or Heather confidentially zations offering training and events. Most through the inter faith marriage website: events are free. Some ask for donations to- www.interfaithmarriage.org.uk; wards expenses. For practical and security reasons, it is best to register in advance Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ online. Please contact them directly or check groups/185782491456844/ their website. Thank you. Westminster Cathedral Interfaith Group Inter Faith Network UK Meets 3rd Wednesday of the month 4-5pm 2 Grosvenor Gardens, London SW1W 0DH in Hinsley Room, Morpeth Terrace, SW1P Tel: +44 (0)20 7730 0410 1QN Email: [email protected] From Westminster Cathedral Piazza, walk to Web: https://www.interfaith.org.uk; your right past St Paul’s bookshop and the school to a fenced garden between the play- The Ammerdown Conference & Retreat ing fields. Centre Contact John Woodhouse 0790 8888 586 Ammerdown Park, Radstock, Bath, Somerset BA3 5SWT: T: 01761 433709 (by text) or E: [email protected]; Email: [email protected] [email protected]; St Ethelburga’s Centre View AMMERDOWN COURSES 2019 pro- T: gramme online at: www.ammerdown.org/ 78 Bishopsgate, London EC2N 4AG; 020 courses Please book via the website or ring 7496 1610 www.stethelburgas.org; Sarah Chabowska: 01761 433709. For free E: [email protected] See events page on their website paper copy of the programme ring or email [email protected] Pax Christi
Sion Centre for Dialogue and Encounter St Joseph's, Watford Way, 34 Chepstow Villas, W11 2QZ London NW4 4TY Tel: 020 7727 3597 / 020 7313 8286 Pat Gaffney, T: 0208 203 4884 E: [email protected]; E: [email protected] Web: www.sioncentre.org; www.paxchristi.org.uk;
London Interfaith Centre South London Inter Faith Group 12.30pm Lunch meeting on last Thursday 125 Salusbury Rd London NW6 6RG of the month at http://londoninterfaith.org.uk/ Enquiries to Streatham Friends Meeting House, Red- [email protected] lands Way, Roupell Park Estate, Brixton Central London Inter Faith Meetup Hill, SW2 3LU Westminster Quaker Meeting House, E: [email protected]
52 St Martins Lane WC2 N 4EA North London Interfaith Group Every Friday from 6.50pm website: https:// Meets monthly to discuss questions in the www.meetup.com/Central-London-Inter- news about faith, festivities and practices of Faith-Meetup other faiths. Drop In Silence, 5.30-7pm Details: Contact: Sr Elizabeth: 020 7272 8048; DropInSilence.org; E: [email protected]; Marylebone Scriptural Reasoning Contact: [email protected];
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The Faith & Belief Forum St Martin-in-the-Fields Formerly 3 FF (Three Faiths Forum) Trafalgar Square London WC2N 4JJ www.smitf.org Contact Director, Phil Champain, 3FF, Star House, 104 Grafton Road, Gandhi Foundation London NW5 4BA Contact: William Rhind, London Peace Pagoda Battersea Park [email protected] Website: www.gandhifoundation.org Contact: Rev. G. Nagase Tel: 020 7228 9620 Email: The Islamic College [email protected] 133 High Road, London NW10 2SW Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Temple +44 (0) 20 8451 9993 Brickhill St, Willen Lake, Milton Keynes [email protected]
MK15 0BG T: 01908 663 652; Woolf Institute E: [email protected] Wesley House, Jesus Lane,
InterFaith MK (Milton Keynes) Cambridge CB5 8BJ T:01223 741038 www.woolf.camb.ac.uk c/o 3 Ayr Way, Milton Keynes, Bucks, MK3 7SJ Christians Aware Contact: David Rennie 01908 366280 2 Saxby Street, Leicester LE2 0ND T: 0116 E: [email protected] 254 0770 Website: www.interfaithmk.org.uk [email protected]
www.christiansaware.co.uk Ham Faithful Friends Contact: Diana Mills Multi-Faith Centre (MFC) [email protected] University of Derby T:01332 591285; E: [email protected] Kensington Council of Churches Contact: Brahma Kumaris Chris Luxton, [email protected]; Global Co-operation House, 65-69 Pound Lane, London NW10 2HH Benedictine Institute [email protected] Westminster Synagogue and Scrolls Museum Hounslow Friends of Faith Kent House, Rutland Gardens, www.hounslowfriendsoffaith.org London SW7 1BX
23 Westminster Interfaith Calendar of Religious Festivals: 23 BIRTHDAY OF GURU NANAK (1469 CE) Sikh Although born in April, his November birthday (gurpurb) is generally celebrated on the full moon of the lunar month of Kartik. An akhand path (a complete, unbroken reading of the Guru Granth Sahib) begins two days earlier so that it ends on the morning of the festival. To mark the 550th anniversary of Guru Nanak’s Birthday in April 2019, major celebrations begin on this day. 24 The ninth Guru was be- November headed for upholding Kashmiri Brahmins' refusal to convert to Islam. Guru Tegh Bahadur is honoured for sacrificing his head (sir) rather than his faith (sis) for the religious freedom of those of a different religious persuasion from himself. 26 PROPHET MUHAMMAD’S BIRTHDAY / MILAD UN NABI (17th Rabi’ul- November Awwal) Muslim (Shi‘a) Observed by Sunni Muslims on 12th Rabi’ul-Awwal (21 No- vember) but 5 days later by most Shi‘a Muslims (though Nizari Ismaili Shi‘a Mus- lims celebrate on the same date as Sunnis. Dawoodi Bohra Ismailis celebrate at the same time as Shiʽas); a public holiday in many Muslim countries. 30 ST ANDREW’S DAY National Andrew was brother of St Peter, and the first November disciple to follow Jesus. He was crucified at Patras in Greece and has been patron saint of Scotland since the 8th century. In the Anglican communion he is associated with missionary activity. 3 December
3-10 CHANUKAH Jewish Festival of Lights celebrates the rededication of the Tem- December ple in Jerusalem after it was recaptured from the Syrian Greeks by the Maccabee brothers in about 162 BCE. For the eight evenings of the festival, candles are lit from right to left in a hanukkiah, a nine-branched menorah; one candle for each evening. The ninth candle is the shamash (the servant candle) from which the other candles are lit. Foods cooked with oil, such as doughnuts and latkes (potato cakes) are traditional to remember the miracle with oil that kept the Temple lights burning so many years ago. A game of dreidel, a special small spinning top, is popular with children to commemorate ‘the great miracle that happened’. 8 BODHI DAY Buddhist Some Buddhists (e.g. Pure Land followers) celebrate Gau- December tama’s attainment of Enlightenment on this day under the Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya, North India. 8 IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY Chris- December tian (Roman Catholic) celebrates the doctrine that Mary was born free from origi- nal sin, leaving her sinless for the conception and bearing of Jesus. 10 HUMAN RIGHTS DAY (National) In 1948 the United Nations General As- December sembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: ‘All human beings are born with equal and inalienable rights and fundamental freedoms’. 21 YULE W iccan Pagan WINTER SOLSTICE Druid The sun is reborn; the re- December turn of new life. Yule is often celebrated for 12 nights and days from the evening before the Winter Solstice (called Mother’s night), when they think of their female ancestors and spiritual protectors.
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24 CHRISTMAS EVE Christian Carols, crib services and Midnight Mass inau- December gurate the festival of Christmas. 25 CHRISTMAS DAY Christian celebrates the birth of Jesus, whom Christians December believe to be the son of God become man, “the Word was made Flesh” (John 1:1- 18). Gifts are given as reminders of the gifts brought to the infant Jesus. Christmas carols, plays and evergreens are associated with this time. Nativity sets are dis- played in many churches and homes. 26 ZARATOSHT NO DISO Zoroastrian (Iranian) 24 May Zoroastrian (Parsi - December Shenshai) Zaratosht no diso is the death anniversary of the Prophet Zarathushtra. Tradition records that this is when he was assassinated at the age of 77. It is cus- tomary to visit the Fire Temple, participate in special remembrance prayers to him and to the Fravashis (the guardian spirits of departed ancestors), and ponder upon the Gathas (Hymns) of Zarathushtra, which embody his message to humanity. 31 OMISOKA Japanese Preparation for New Year by cleansing Shinto home December shrines and Buddhist altars. The bells of Buddhist temples are struck 108 times to warn against the 108 evils to be overcome. 31 HOGMANAY / NEW YEAR’S EVE AND NEW YEAR’S DAY National Cel- December ebrations go on till next day, especially in Scotland, where bagpipes, haggis and 1 first footing are widespread. Firework displays in many places. It is customary to January make New Year Resolutions. 1 SOLEMNITY OF MARY, MOTHER OF GOD Christian A week after Christ- January mas, Christians honour Mary, mother of Jesus, with the title of Mother of God. 1-3 GANJITSU Japanese New Year’s Day celebrations sometimes last three days. January Businesses are closed and the first visit of the year is paid to local Shinto shrines. 5 BIRTHDAY OF GURU GOBIND SINGH (1666 CE) (Nanakshahi Calendar) January Sikh In 1675, at the age of 9, he became the tenth Sikh Guru on his father’s death. He was the last of the ten human Sikh Gurus. He instituted the 5 Ks and founded the Order of Khalsa on the feast of Baisakhi, 1699 The day is referred to as a Gurpurb, and is marked by the ending of an akhand path, an unbroken reading of the whole Guru Granth Sahib, the Holy Book. 6 EPIPHANY Christian 12th day of Christmas. Celebrates the manifestation of January Jesus to the world represented by the magi or wise men, who brought the infant Je- sus gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. 6 THEOPHANY / BAPTISM OF CHRIST Christian (Orthodox Julian date: 19 January January) At the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist, the heavens were opened and a voice was heard proclaiming Jesus, while God’s spirit descended on him in the form of a dove. During this event God was manifest as three persons in one – Fa- ther, Son and Holy Spirit. ‘Theophany’ means ‘Manifestation of God’. The first miracle of Jesus, at Cana in Galilee, is also remembered at this time. 6/7 CHRISTMAS EVE AND DAY Christian (Eastern Orthodox/Armenian, Ethiopi- January an, Rastafarian: Julian calendar); Many Eastern churches and Rastafarians use the Julian, rather than the Gregorian Calendar. Accordingly they celebrate Christmas and other fixed festivals 13 days after the Western churches, so that the 6th and 7th of January in the Orthodox calendar equate to the 24th and 25th December in the West.
25 Westminster Interfaith 12 BIRTHDAY OF SWAMI VIVEKANANDA Hindu Born Narendra Nath Datta in January 1863 in Calcutta, he was an Indian Hindu monk who became the chief disciple of the 19th century saint Ramakrishna. Vivekananda, as he became known, was a key figure in the introduction of the Indian philosophies of Vedanta and Yoga to the Western world and helped to develop Hinduism during the latter part of the 19th century. He pioneered the development of the Ramakrishna Mission and the Ramakrishna Vedan- ta Centre movement in India and throughout the world. He died in 1902. 13 BAPTISM OF CHRIST (Anglican) BAPTISM OF THE LORD (RC) Christian January recalls how, at Jesus’ baptism by John the Baptist, the heavens opened and a voice was heard proclaiming Jesus, while God’s Spirit descended on him in the form of a dove. During this event God was manifest as three persons in one: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Jesus’ first miracle at the marriage feast of Cana is also remembered. 13 Jan BIRTHDAY OF GURU GOBIND SINGH (Lunar Calendar) Sikh See 5 January 14/15 MAKAR SANKRANTI / PONGAL / LOHRI Hindu Sankranti is the start of a new January zodiac sign. Tamils celebrate Pongal and eat a rice dish which gives the festival its name. A day for almsgiving and patching up quarrels and disagreements. Punjabis (including some Sikhs) celebrate the day as Lohri. Fires are lit outside and peanuts and sesame sweets are eaten round them. 16 SHINRAN MEMORIAL DAY Buddhist Shinran Shonin (1173-1262) was the January founder of Jodo Shin-shu, school of Pure Land Buddhism. 18-25 WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY Christian started in 1908 and January runs from the Confession of Peter (Jan 18) to the Conversion of Paul (Jan 25).The theme for 2019 ‘Justice, and only justice, you shall pursue’ (Deut.16:18-20) was pre- pared by the churches of Indonesia. The resources highlight issues of economic injus- tice and how religious pluralism can face challenges in the face of radicalisation. 19 Jan THEOPHANY / BAPTISM OF CHRIST Christian (Orthodox) see 6 January 21 WORLD RELIGION DAY Baha’i and other faiths promotes interfaith understand- January ing by emphasizing factors common to all faiths. First introduced among Baha’i com- munities in the 1950s, it is now celebrated by a wider spread of communities on the third Sunday of January. 21 TU B'SHEVAT Jewish A popular minor festival which celebrates the New Year January for trees. Jewish tradition marks the 15th of Shevat as the day when the sap in the trees begins to rise, heralding the beginning of spring. It is customary for Jews all over the world to plant young trees at this time and to eat fruit produced in Israel. For religious accounting purposes all trees have their anniversaries on this festival, re- gardless of when they were planted. 25 HONEN MEMORIAL DAY Buddhist Honen (1133-1212 CE) was the founder of January Jodo Shinshu, one of the schools of Pure Land Buddhism. 27 HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL DAY National A day to remember all those who January suffered and died at the hands of the Nazis during 2nd World War, and to help ensure that no such atrocity happens again. Anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz- Birkenau.
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30 JASHN-E SADEH Zoroastrian (Iranian) A mid-winter festival, celebrated 50 January days before the advent of the spring NoRuz. It is customary to pay visits to the Fire Temple to give thanks to the Creator God, and with a bonfire after sunset. 31 Jan BIRTHDAY OF GURU HAR RAI Sikh He is 7th Sikh Guru. 1 IMBOLC / CANDLEMAS Pagan celebrates the awakening of the land and February the growing power of the Sun. Snowdrops are seen as the heralds of spring. 2 THE PRESENTATION OF JESUS IN THE TEMPLE (Christian) Often February called Candlemas because lighted candles are held during service. 3 SETSUBUN / BEAN SCATTERING (Japanese) Mid-winter celebration, when February harshness of winter is over and days are getting longer. 5 CHINESE NEW YEAR / SPRING FESTIVAL / CHUNJIE / YUAN TAN February Chinese Celebrations can last three or more days. 2019 is Year of the Pig. 5-7 Feb LOSAR Buddhist Tibetan New Year festival. 8 (15) PARINIRVANA Buddhist marks the final passing of Gautama Buddha at Kushi- February nagara, India. Pure Land Buddhists refer to it as Nirvana Day
9/10 SARASWATI PUJA/ VASANT PANCHAMI Hindu BASANT Sikh (Punjabi) February The Festival marks the beginning of Spring. In eastern India, especially in Bengal, Hindus venerate Saraswati, the goddess of learning and the arts. Yellow is associ- ated with the festival and so murtis of Saraswati are dressed in yellow. Another (secular) tradition is kite-flying, especially in Lahore. 19 LANTERN FESTIVAL / YUANXIAOJIE / TENG CHIEH Chinese marks the February first full moon of the year and the lengthening of the days. Strings of lanterns in various designs are hung out as decorations. 19 MAGHA PUJA Buddhist This festival commemorates two occasions, one that February took place in the month of Magha, seven weeks after the Buddha’s enlightenment, (21 March) when he taught his companions the Four Noble Truths; the other occasion was 45 years later, when 1,250 enlightened personal disciples of the Buddha came to the Bamboo Grove at Rajagaha on the full moon of Magha (usually in late February or early March). This was one of the earliest large gatherings of Buddhists. On that day, the Buddha taught the main principles of the Dhamma and set out his teach- ings to the assembled arahats (enlightened monks) for them to learn and follow. 1 March ST DAVID’S DAY National Anniversary of the death of St David, patron saint of Wales, who lived in the 6th century CE. As monk, abbot and bishop he helped spread Christianity among the Celtic tribes of Britain. 2 March WOMEN’S WORLD DAY OF PRAYER Christian This international, interde- nominational prayer movement was begun in 1887. The service material is pro- duced by a different country each year. In 2019 the theme will be ‘Jesus said to them, Come everything is ready’. The material has been prepared by Christian women in Slovenia. 3 March HINAMATSURI / DOLLS’ FESTIVAL / GIRLS’ DAY Japanese Clay dolls representing the Emperor and Empress, are displayed in the home with offerings of peach blossom, rice-wine and rice-cakes. The dolls are intended to carry away any illness affecting the daughters of the house. Prayers are said for daughters to grow up to be healthy and dutiful.
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4 March MAHASHIVRATRI (Great Shiva Night) Hindu Every night of the new moon is dedicated to Shiva, but on this CHARISM night, Shiva is said to perform the cosmic dance, leading from creation to destruction. Many Hindus fast. Milk and honey are poured on his symbol, lingam. The disciple was a Jew. “What good 5 March SHROVE TUESDAY Christian (Western Churches) is the work shall I do to day before the start of Lent. Traditionally, a day for repent- be acceptable to ance in preparation for Lent (‘shrive’ means to receive or make confession). Pancakes were made to use up rich foods, God?” such as butter and eggs. In parts of the world people celebrate “How should I Mardi Gras by holding carnivals. know?” said the 6 March ASH WEDNESDAY Christian (Western Churches) The first Master. “Your day of Lent when Christians remember the forty days that Je- Bible says that sus spent in the wilderness. In many churches, services are Abraham practised held where the worshipper’s forehead is marked with a cross hospitality and of ash. God was with him. 6 March LENT Christian (Western Churches) A period of 40 days Elias loved to pray to leading up to Easter—a time of fasting and discipline. Chris- and God was with 20 April tians give up something during this time to mark the 40 days him. David ruled a Jesus spent in the wilderness. kingdom and God 11 FIRST DAY OF LENT / THE GREAT LENTEN FAST was with him too.” March Christian (Orthodox) The Lenten Fast involves abstinence from meat, fish and dairy products until Easter. Eastern “Is there some way Churches start Lent on the Monday before the first Sunday of I can find my own Lent. Orthodox Easter is Sunday 28 April. allotted work?” 11-20 FRAVARDIGAN / MUKTAD Zoroastrian the festival of the “Yes. Search for March fravashis, commences ten days before NoRuz and is the last festival of the old year. Fravashis, (guardian spirits of depart- the deepest ed ancestors), are welcomed by name by the Zoroastrian inclination of your Mobeds or Magi (priests). heart and follow it.” Westminster Interfaith Newsletter is published five times a year. Postal subscriptions are £15.00 per year (£25.00 abroad), mainly to cover postage and packing. Donations to support From: both the printed and e-versions gratefully received. Send ’One Minute cheques made out to ‘Westminster Interfaith’ at address below. Wisdom’ by Anthony de Published by Jon Dal Din for Mello SJ. Westminster Interfaith By kind permission Vaughan House, 46 Francis Street SW1P 1QN of the publishers, Tel: 020 7931 6028 Gujerat Sahitya Mobiles: 078 8953 6957 / 075 2775 8729 Prakash Anand, Email: [email protected]; India.