Fun and learning through Rangoli Patterns
filed in Event on 23 May 2017
A great afternoon was held on 13th May and informative too learning about colourful rangoli patterns and trying them ourselves. They are very much a part of Hindu tradition and are used for decoration particularly during Diwali. We used coloured sand, although they can be made with rice grains, flour, sand or chalk. The patterns always balance. We found they take practice! They are impermanent, as is life.
Rahki bracelets which sisters give brothers each year are much easier to make. Thanks to Bharti Tailor for showing us and to the Hanuman Hindu Temple in Brentford for hosting the event.
Coptic Pope visits Hounslow
filed in Uncategorized on 23 May 2017
It was a day of celebration in May for one local church community when the Coptic Pope Tawadros II consecrated their new church in Hounslow. His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, 118th Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of Saint Mark, was in the UK for a weeklong pastoral visit during which he met the Queen and Prince Charles and was received at Lambeth Palace by Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury. In Hounslow he was accompanied by Bishop Angaelos and a number of bishops from Egypt for the 8am service.
The Pope was warmly greeted by the congregation. The male choir sang joyfully and the ladies in the congregation ululated enthusiastically at key moments in the service. The Pope and other clergy spread the holy oil on the altar in the sanctuary and each icon was anointed with a long roller. Ruth Cadbury, (parliamentary candidate and incumbent) and Charanjit Ajit Singh, Chair of the Interfaith Group made brief speeches of congratulations.
The church has already made a contribution to the local area and weekly provides food for homeless people. It was the one of the venues for the HFOF Walk of Peace and Friendship in 2016. We welcome Father Morkos and the Coptic congregation to the faith community in Hounslow and wish the church every success in their work.
Manchester Arena Attack
filed in Statement on 23 May 2017
Hounslow Friends of Faith has issued the following statement after the shocking attack in Manchester last night, 22nd May 2017.
“As faith leaders in Hounslow, we unite in our sadness and condemnation of the dreadful attack in Manchester which has affected families, young people and children. Here we are grateful for the good relations that exist between the faith communities where we know each other as friends and colleagues and work together for the common good. We must not allow this attack by an individual to damage this. We hold all those affected in our thoughts and prayers.
Signed
Charanjit Ajit Singh Chair Hounslow Friends of Faith
Rev Tom Gillum Vice Chair Hounslow Friends of Faith
Divya Din Vice Chair Hounslow Friends of Faith
Shafiq Rehman General Secretary Hounslow Jamia Mosque and on behalf of Hounslow Social and Political Committee which represents the mosques and Islamic Centres in the borough of Hounslow
Rev Richard Frank Church of England Hounslow Area Dean”
We have already received several messages of support and requests specifically to be associated with this statement. These include from the Ahmadiyya Community and HIRA (Hounslow Islamic Relief Association) in Feltham.