1st July 2010
What my faith means in my life
The four speakers with Jagjiwan Singh (left) chairman of HFOF
and Alfred Agius (right) who chaired the panel.
Guidance, security, reassurance and a calling to a way of life, these were the sentiments expressed by speakers from four different faiths in Hounslow in July. Representing Judaism, Islam, Christianity and Sikhism, each speaker described what their faith meant to them personally in their everyday lives.
Basil spoke warmly of the Friday evening time of Shabbat, when Jews get together at home and candles are lit. He continues the tradition of family time every Friday to this day. The festivals of the Jewish year are also important to him, continuing a tradition of which he is very proud.
Afsana had been brought up in Ashford in a white, non Muslim area. She discovered more about her faith as an adult, seeing how faith had helped a relative overcome depression. She has worn a hijab since she was 24, choosing herself to wear it to please God. She certainly had not been forced to wear it by her husband who she has since divorced. Her faith governs everything in her life, from food and dress to concern for her neighbours, of whatever religion they are. She would rather her daughter saw friends who were good Christians or Sikhs, than nominal Muslims who were not living a good life. Allah is the focus of her life, the one who will guide her and never let her down. She is happy and proud to be a Muslim.
Barbara’s family had attended church only for weddings and funerals, but sent her to Sunday School. Later she attended a meeting with the American evangelist Billy Graham which had inspired her with the sense of God’s care for her. Barbara also finds a candle can remind her of the light of God which inspires and helps her to respond to the spiritual needs of others. She felt it important that young people are offered teaching and guidance in how to live, to pray and to love one’s neighbour.
Jaswinder also saw her Sikh faith as a way of life, where there is a balance between the mental, the physical and the spiritual. Her faith and the teaching of the Sikh Gurus give her strength and the wisdom to try and cope when things go wrong. The principles she tries to follow are self control, service to others, remembering God in good times and bad, avoiding superstitions and meaningless rituals and being content with what she has. Her faith helps her to see things in perspective: why chase after transitory things? Life is more than money, a better job and bigger and better material things, which we can’t take with us.
All speakers welcomed the inter faith contacts possible in Hounslow with the opportunities of sharing their faiths. Chairing the panel, Alfred Agius noted how God works in different ways, nourishing each contributor in their faith.
Sunday 20th June 2010
Walk of Peace and Friendship
Along Brentford High Street |
The Mayor of Hounslow receives
a garland of welcome |
Group photo at
the Jamatkhana |
Light, laughter and service were the message on 20th June at the inter-faith Walk of Peace and Friendship. The Mayor of Hounslow, Councillor Colin Ellar, attended and heard how light inspires Anglicans, Quakers and the Euro Datta Yoga Centre in Brentford.
Workers at St Paul’s described how their building had been redesigned to reflect their vision of opening the church to the community. The Open House Café, open to all, provides daily lunches and a listening ear.
The Yoga Centre described different methods of lifting stress, including music, meditation and laughter. Members of the Walk were given a taster to Laughter Yoga sessions which doctors often recommend to help people feel healthier and more energised. Contact the centre on 07984 201538 if you want to know more.
Walkers called in on Brentford and Isleworth Quakers’ historic 1785 Meeting House where the traditional silent worship still inspires. The pilgrimage finished at the Jamatkhana or centre for the west London Ismaili Community in Isleworth where the charitable and educational work of the Aga Khan Foundation worldwide was mentioned. Around 50 people attended the event.
16th March 2010
Meeting of Priests and Faith Leaders
Bishop Paul and participants at the meeting
Faith in action was the theme of the annual meeting of clergy and faith leaders which took place at the Hounslow Jamia Mosque. Representatives of Christian, Sikh, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu and Brahma Kumaris faiths got together to hear the Anglican Bishop of Kensington, the Right Reverend Paul Williams. This year staff from schools and the Education Service were also invited.
Referring to the current economic deficit, Bishop Paul highlighted three other deficits which should be of greater concern to society. These are relationships, trust and vision. Is it good to teach our children to pass exams and get high paid jobs if we forget valuing personal relationships both in the family and in the community? Trust in politicians has declined of late. This can only be reversed by showing integrity in our own lives. We need to be inspired by a noble vision of what life can be.
Other participants hoped faiths can have the confidence to be seen working together, building and sustaining a pluralist society. People need to go beyond just tolerance of each other. All faiths and schools hope to help young people have moral values. Recognising our commonalities of faith in God, we should be more proactive in showing moral leadership especially to our young people.
Imam Suleimani, on what may be his last event before leaving Hounslow, stressed the shared values of all faiths. Charanjit AjitSingh added ‘Different faiths can be faithful to their own paths while being respectful to each other.’
This is the first inter faith event Bishop Paul has attended since his appointment in March 2009. It is the third such gathering organised by Hounslow Friends of Faith in the ten years of its existence.