Widening horizons through walking together
filed in Event on 06 Jun 2016
Well over 50 people enjoyed brilliant sunshine as they took part in HFOF’s annual Walk of Peace and Friendship on 5th June 2016. The route comprised four places of worship in Hounslow, visiting Muslim, Christian, Hindu and Buddhist centres. All are establishing themselves so they can live their lives well in the local community.
The event began at Heathrow Jamia Masjid in Park Lane in Cranford which has recently completed the first phase of the development of a disused British Legion Building into an attractive and well maintained centre for services for the Muslim community. Walkers were encouraged to find time and love for humanitarian work. The pilgrimage continued to the St Mark and Pope Kyrillos VI Coptic Orthodox Church in Broad Walk. Father Morkos explained how icons are ‘written’ not painted, to give a sense of the life of the saints, rather than a portrait. This church provides food for homeless people.
Moving on, the next visit was to the Jalaram Jupadi Hindu Mandir in Barrack Road where walkers were impressed by the newly extended building, now better able to provide service including meals to anyone in need in their area. The final visit was to the Dewachan Nepalese Buddhist Centre in Munster Avenue. The group have recently launched themselves as a centre and are looking for bigger premises to meet better the needs of their community. Lama Dharam Gurung explained how Buddhists work for religious and racial harmony.
The Mayor of Hounslow Councillor Ajmer Grewel, her consort Councillor Pritam Grewel and Ruth Cadbury MP joined in the Walk. The Mayor welcomed the event as a way to meet people rather than make assumptions from observation from a distance. She praised faith groups for the service they provide to the community. Charanjit Ajit Singh, Chair of Hounslow Friends of Faith, welcomed the new energy which newer faith groups bring.
Commenting at the end of the day one first time walker described the event as an eye opener. ‘My horizons have been widened’ she said.