Interfaith

Canon Andrew White

Message from Canon Andrew White read out to the recent ‘Joint Celebration of Holy events of the Three Faiths of Abraham’.

‘Greetings from Baghdad, I am so sorry that I am unable to be with you today especially as my great friend and member of my board Dr Raheem Kahn is behind this event.

Today you come together as members of the three great monotheistic faiths, Islam, Christianity and Judaism. Together we have one great thing in common we all believe that G-d is one. We all believe that G-d is part of our life and we believe interfaith activity does not make us weak in our faith it should makes us stronger and indeed more orthodox in what we believe and practice. Unlike many in the West I do not live and work with those who do not believe much. Most people believe firmly in their faith. Yet they are serious about engaging with the other. (Photo Link)

UPF Glasgow Branch

This was a promotional event to showcase the work the ‘Glasgow Peace Federation’ ( the Glasgow branch of UPF ) have been doing over the past year.

An interfaith meeting held at the Pillowshield Community Centre in Glasgow on 22nd May sought to explore the vexing question as to whether Satan actually exists.

On the 22nd February we had a great youth interfaith meeting in Bayley Street next to the University campus. The theme was religious and racial tension in Britain & how to build cohesive communities. Dr David Earle gave a presentation on his work relating to the theme which moved and empowered all present and created the base for a vigorous discussion. After his power point presentation the words of conclusion were: “If we could read the secret histories of our enemies, we should find in each person’s life sorrow & suffering enough to disarm all hostilities” (Longfellow.) The audience was made up of Peace Ambassadors, regular & associate CARP members, STF team, future founding members of the UCL interfaith society, SOAS students, and the Somali Youth Forum. There was a lot of food to share after as people socialized, and got to know each other more, catching up with each other’s lives. Some of us even moved on to a local café and talked late into the evening about how to develop our work across religious and cultural boundaries.

Jewish Muslim Friendship Evening Panel Sunday 21st October 2007 - Iraqi refugees sat together with Israeli ex-pats. Iranian grandparents were alongside Palestinians and Israelis as everybody listened appreciatively to ‘Shir la Shalom’ being sung by the Topaz Jewish Choir. A poetry recital given by Fathieh Saudi and Kerry Fleur-Schleiter followed, as did the Muslim call to prayer. Musicians, peace activists and dignitaries of differing faith groups were mixed together for an evening that had been inspired by an Israeli living in London, Yael Lindenboim, and hosted by the Universal Peace Federation at its premises in Lancaster Gate.