14th October 2007
One World Week

Young people had their say as Muslims, Christians, Jews, Sikhs, Hindus, Brahma Kumaris, Buddhists, people of all faiths and none, gathered at Lampton School for Hounslow Friends of Faith’s One World Week celebration. The day focused on the theme “All Together Now: Building peace with our neighbours”.

Young people from Bangladesh, Birmingham and Hounslow shared their experience of fasting during Ramadan and led a prayer for world peace before a candle lighting ceremony led by representatives of all the faith communities. Some of the young people were part of a team of 18 volunteers (aged 18-25) from Bangladesh and the UK in Hounslow on Global Xchange, a cross-cultural exchange programme run by Voluntary Services Overseas (VSO) and the British Council.

A member of Hounslow Youth Council interviewed recent Borough Commander Chief Superintendent Dr Ali Dizaei. Deanna Addis, aged 15 and a pupil at Lampton School, asked him about racial tension in Hounslow. The chief superintendent, then one of the most senior Muslim police officers in the UK, said that good community relations were down to the remarkable co-operation between statutory organisations and nearly 800 voluntary organisations, together with zero tolerance on hate crime. He predicted that by 2010 sixty percent of people in London would belong to minority ethnic groups. "Hounslow is an excellent model for other boroughs to follow", he said.

Leadership coach and consultant, Shira Bassi, a past Heathland School student, encouraged the gathering to look at their own prejudices. “Imagine a Muslim being invited to preach in a gurdwara; a Sikh invited to preach in a mosque; a Christian in a synagogue and so on. Is that utopia or integration?” she asked.

There was something for all ages, face painting, a fair trade stall and food from around the world. Indian dancer Monisha and her small daughter had everyone’s feet tapping and practising intricate hand movements. Deputy Mayor Cllr Caroline Andrews & MEP Robert Evans also attended.

1st July 2007
Walk of Peace and Friendship

The annual Walk of Peace and Friendship in 2007 took place on Sunday 1st July. More than 50 people of different faiths and none came together in Hounslow to learn more about other faiths. Starting at the Jewish Synagogue in Staines Road, the walk continued to the Sikh Gurdwara in Alice Way where lunch was provided. It then moved on to Bell Road Methodist Church and concluded at Hounslow Jamia Mosque in Wellington Road South. At each venue participants were warmly greeted. They heard about some of the different practices of each congregation and there were question and answer sessions.

Participants were from many different backgrounds and were of all ages. The delightful and colourful HFOF banner, carried by two of the younger walkers, had been made by young people from the Hounslow Youth Service.

25th April 2007
Shared Values

'Shared values' was the title of the talk given by Sheik Nisar Ahmad Sulymani, Imam of the Hounslow Jamia Mosque and Islamic Centre on Wednesday 25th April. He highlighted the concerns shared by many of the world religions as well as Islam. Human beings are all of one family, and all face the same challenges, such as concern for the poor, for peace in the local and wider community, stress and the environment. It is by their behaviour in the outside world that people of faith are judged.

Sheik Sulymani saw no place in Islam for extremism. True Muslims are moderate in all their actions and an extremist is not a true Muslim.

After the talk, which was attended by up to 60 people from a variety of different faiths, Mohammed Saleem, Chairman of the Jamia Masjid Trust asked the audience to spread the word of our common humanity and values.

This event was organised jointly by the Wellington Road Mosque and Hounslow Friends of Faith.

23rd March 2007
Directory of Places of Worship launch  

On 23rd March, Guru Nanak Nisham Sewak Jatha Gurdwara in Martindale Road saw the launch of our new directory. The Directory of Places of Worship in Hounslow Borough has now been published, after nine months’ work. 92 places of worship in the whole of the borough are listed with contact details. Times of services and other activities are included where they are known. ‘Hounslow is a very diverse borough’ says the editor, Alfred Agius. ‘Catholic, Anglican, Russian Orthodox and other Christian Churches are listed as well as the Sikh Gurdwaras, Hindu Temples and Muslim Mosques. This directory will be of great benefit for both official organisations and interested members of the public.

This project has been put together by Hounslow Friends of Faith with a grant from the Faith Communities Capacity Building Fund administered by the Department of Communities and Local Government.

31st January 2007
Youth Forum