Hounslow Faiths say no to hate

Posted on June 9, 2015June 9, 2015 by Barbara McIntivey

Members of Hounslow’s faiths came together on Tuesday 9^th June 2015 to show their opposition to hate crime. ‘Too many people are suffering in silence’ said Rev Richard Frank, Anglican Area Dean for Hounslow. ‘Abuse whether verbal or physical just for being who you are is unacceptable’.

The ‘We Stand Together’ campaign was organised jointly by Hounslow Police and Hounslow Friends of Faith and is part of a national move to celebrate diversity and to help build a stronger and safer UK. The campaign builds upon the strong bonds that exist between communities within neighbourhoods and together celebrates diversity and drives out all forms of hatred and extremism.

The need to encourage greater reporting of hate crime and the support available from the Hounslow Hate Crime Support Service was highlighted.

Participants from the Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim and Sikh religions heard presentations on all aspects of crime prevention and keeping safe. What to look out for to prevent a terrorist attack was also covered. Advice and information were shared between faiths and information about social projects, walks of peace and witness and festivals. There was also information about the work of Tell MAMA, a group which monitors islamophobic attacks nationally and makes representation to the police and to Government.

At the end of the event which took place at Hounslow Jamia Mosque a pledge was signed to show that hate crime has no place in Hounslow.

Police Sergeant Mark Ogunwe from Hounslow Police said: “Today’s event demonstrates that the people of Hounslow are united as a community and their difference is something they celebrate and cherish.

“There will be people who will try to drive us apart, and I urge anyone who is a victim of hate crime to report the incident to the police so we can investigate it and catch those responsible.”

To report Hate Crime as a victim or as a witness ring 999 in an emergency or 101 to report an ongoing issue. Contact Hounslow Hate Crime Support Service on 0203 096 4252 or see www.hounslow-hatecrime.org.uk .

Walk of Peace and Friendship biggest yet

Posted on June 9, 2015June 9, 2015 by Barbara McIntivey

Over 100 people took part in a day long walk in Hounslow to encourage friendship between faiths and good community relations, making it the biggest yet. The annual Walk of Peace and Friendship organised by Hounslow Friends of Faith was joined by visitors from across London and beyond as part of Westminster Interfaith’s 30^th Multi-faith Pilgrimage.

Walkers met on Saturday 6^th June 2015 at the Laxmi Narayan Hindu temple in Neville Close at 10am, moving on to Holy Trinity in Hounslow High Street, St Michael and St Martin’s Catholic Church and Hounslow Jamia mosque. The final visit was to the Sikh Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha in Alice Way at 4pm. Stewarding was provided by HFOF members and volunteers from the gurdwara.

Mayor Councillor Nisar Malik joined the event. ‘His support for engagement between communities to reduce misunderstanding is very welcome’ said Secretary of HFOF Bessie White. ‘The walk plays its part in this. It is open to all whether members of a faith or just people interested in getting to know their neighbours.’ MPs Seema Malhotra and Ruth Cadbury also attended and spoke before the walkers set off.

Visit to synagogue helps peace building

Posted on March 24, 2015May 21, 2015 by Barbara McIntivey

A visit to a Jewish synagogue was well supported by HFOF members on 18^th March. Hounslow Synagogue closed a few years ago, so limiting the opportunity for making contacts and sharing knowledge of the local Jewish community.

The members of the orthodox synagogue in nearby Ealing met that need and their hospitality was much appreciated. Visitors saw the refurbished hall and were shown the scrolls of the Torah which are read through regularly throughout the year. Differences between wording and practices of Jewish communities from different parts of Europe were explained.

The Torah is known to Christians as the first five books of the Old Testament. Similarities were also noted to aspects of Islam, in the language, the concept and the message.

Yasmin, who is Muslim, commented ‘I was touched by the beginning message in the Torah – again the language is so similar to Arabic. I hope and pray that we can work together to build bridges and to work towards peace building.’

Faiths meet to increase understanding post Paris

Posted on February 17, 2015May 21, 2015 by Barbara McIntivey

Hounslow Jamia Masjid and Islamic Centre, in partnership with Hounslow Friends of Faith hosted a Communities Roundtable at the mosque in Hounslow on Thursday 12^th February. This brought together over 30 leaders of the faiths and denominations in the borough to share views and concerns informally in the wake of the recent events in France. Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim and Sikh groups were represented. Councillor Sue Sampson, Lead member for Communities, two senior staff from the Communities Partnership Unit and the Met Police faith liaison officer also attended.

In a wide ranging discussion the value of working together across faiths was recognised. Hounslow is a community of communities. Faiths should be respectful of each other and not judge.

Issues raised included the need to get the message across of the positive contribution faiths make to the community and that they are actively addressing concerns such as working with their young people. On-line radicalisation is a reality whether Islamist or far right. Places of worship have to be alert, tackle it with their young people and share knowledge and best practice of how to do this.

Young people need to be engaged through action, not just dialogue. ‘Faith bodies and the local authority have a crucial role to tackle the issue of engaging with young people’ said HFOF Chair Charanjit Ajit Singh. ‘We need to give them the tools to develop into law abiding citizens as equals. We must be careful of the language we use to each other, but also challenge it if necessary’.

‘Freedom of speech and expression is an important and highly earned value of democratic societies and must be exercised with care and respect for others. Fanaticism, in any form including through pen or pistol, has no place in our communities’ said Zubair Awan, Joint Secretary of Hounslow Jamia Masjid.

Participants plan to keep in touch and support each other in working on these issues.

Women of Faith celebrate their cultures

Posted on November 26, 2014November 26, 2014 by Barbara McIntivey

People Divya, Trudy, Anne Over 65 women from different faiths enjoyed the diversity of their cultures at a celebration for Inter Faith Week. Among the activities at Heston Community Centre was mendhi hand painting, rangoli patterns and a demonstration of how to tie a Nigerian head dress. Somali ladies showed off colourful clothes, drink carriers and performed a traditional dance. Other dances from Gujerat and Israel were also enjoyed. Information was shared on clothing worn for weddings and other occasions before food from round the world was served.

Thanks to all who contributed to the success of the event and to Elizabeth Azu for a celebratory cake.

Feedback praised the chance to learn something new and requests were made to repeat the event.

Two events for Inter Faith Week

Posted on October 25, 2014October 25, 2014 by Barbara McIntivey

Hounslow Friends of Faith is running two events for Inter Faith Week which runs from 16^th to 22^nd November. The first is a talk ‘Faith involvement in peacemaking today’ and the second is a Women’s Group celebration of culture in dress and food.

All faiths hold peace highly in their worship and teaching. In the present international situation, how can faiths live out these ideals? Millius Palayiwa, director of the Fellowship of Reconciliation (FOR) will discuss this on Tuesday 18^th November in a talk at 6.30pm in Committee Room 1, Hounslow Civic Centre, Lampton Road TW3 4DN.

Millius has direct experience of work in conflict zones, having helped facilitate peace talks in Sierra Leone. FOR celebrates its centenary this year.

The talk will be followed by a celebration of 14 years of Hounslow Friends of Faith’s work for peace and friendship.

For our second event, Hounslow Friends of Faith’s Women’s Group invites all women to share the diversity of culture in traditional dress and food. Join them at Heston Community Centre, Vicarage Farm Road, TW5 0EE on Saturday 22^nd November from 4 – 7pm. Come and dazzle in your best clothes!

Please bring food to share. Admission is £1 per adult to contribute to the hire of the hall. Let us know you are coming so we know numbers by ringing our usual number 020 8560 5887 or email info@hounslowfriendsoffaith.org

Joint work to improve church garden

Posted on October 20, 2014October 23, 2014 by Barbara McIntivey

Volunteers worked together on 19th October to bring a garden in a Hounslow church back to life. Weeds were removed and pots and tubs replanted. Litter blown in from the High Street was removed. The patio at Holy Trinity Church on Hounslow High Street now provides a warm welcome to visitors to the church, including the weekly Olive Branch project for homeless people every Saturday. Support for the project came from Muslim, Sikh, Hindu, Jewish, Sai Baba, Catholic and Quaker communities and was Hounslow Friends of Faith’s contribution to the annual Sewa Day, the International Day of Volunteering. Vicar Stu Wright thanked all who contributed. ‘It was a great project involving young and old. Holy Trinity is right at the heart of Hounslow and we’re so grateful for joint support for our work in the community.’

See photos of the event in our Gallery.

Marking UN Day of Peace

Posted on September 27, 2014September 27, 2014 by Barbara McIntivey

Events took place across Hounslow to mark the United Nations Day of Peace 19^th – 21^st September. Worshippers at Friday prayers at the Hussaini Mission in Isleworth heard a denouncement of extremists such as Islamic State. Leaders of local churches and other parts of the Muslim community joined representatives of the Sikh, Hindu, Buddhist and Jewish faiths, local Humanists and Hounslow Council in signing the statement ‘United we say YES to peace’. Guests also viewed an exhibition of art prepared by Westbrook, Nishkam and Tarbiyya primary schools and the Mission’s own children on the theme of peace. The event was featured on the ITN Regional News at 6.

Saturday 20^th at St Dunstan’s Church in Feltham, open as part of Ride and Stride fundraising event for historic church buildings, launched their ‘peace tree’ which remained up until the following harvest weekend for messages of peace to be added.

Hounslow Methodist Church in Bell Road held an open tea on Sunday, with peace as the theme for their evening service on Sunday. See photos of the weekend in our Gallery.

Remaining true to your own faith – the value of interfaith encounter

Posted on July 27, 2014July 30, 2014 by Barbara McIntivey

Not many would have thought a few years ago that the London School of Economics, a university of the social sciences, would have a purpose built interfaith centre. Rev Dr James Walters, the Director explained the background and the benefits in a talk at HFOF’s AGM on 16th July. Drawing a parallel with residents in some parts of Hounslow, Dr Walters highlighted how many students come originally from overseas and that for many their faith is part of their identity. Faith and belief are now a strand in the Equality Act which organisations must provide for. The centre has developed as a place where students can practise their faith, meet and learn from others and take part in discussions and dialogue on issues of interest and common concern, particularly justice and peace. Many return to their home country and use what they have learnt through understanding better people of other faith traditions. Each year a group visit local primary schools. The children learn that university could be a possible choice for them and see people of different faiths working positively together. Dr Walters recognised how faiths have different emphases. However the search for truth is universal and we should look beyond ourselves and be open to the wisdom of others. Challenge is good he felt and can make us look at our own faith with fresh eyes. People may be drawn to the more fundamentalist form of any faith because it offers simple answers. This may be because we do not feel knowledgeable enough to provide the answers people are seeking. There is a need to speak more clearly about our own faiths and to support religion which is life affirming he said.

The photo shows HFOF committee member Anne van Staveren presenting Dr Walters with a thank you gift.

Eric Pickles praises Muslims

Posted on July 23, 2014July 30, 2014 by Barbara McIntivey

The Rt Hon Eric Pickles MP Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government attended a Big Iftar event in Hounslow this month and used the occasion to praise the contribution Muslims make to British Society. Iftar is the breaking of the fast each evening during Ramadan when Muslims fast during daylight hours. The Ismaili Muslim Community in Hounslow opened their doors for good fellowship and good food and to show non Muslims what the holy month is all about. Ramadan is a time when members of the community give generously to charity. The group have been busy packing boxes of items to donate to homeless charities as part of the Share a Smile initiative. During the evening Mr Pickles lent a hand to complete the last box.

Guests present included representatives of the different strands of Islam and Baha’i, Christian, Hindu, Jewish, and Sikh faiths. Also present were the Yemeni Ambassador, His Excellency Mr Abdulla Ali Al-Rahdi, Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, the newly appointed Under Secretary of State at the Department of Communities and Local Government and Seema Malhotra, the MP for Feltham and Heston.

Living in Britain, Muslims are encouraged to reach out, to build bridges and to work with colleagues and neighbours around them who are not Muslim, to share their faith and build on their shared values. The Big Iftar is a national initiative, started a year ago as a way of doing this.

Representatives of HFOF were pleased to accept generous invitations to two other iftar events this Ramadan, the Centre of Spirituality and Cultural Advancement in Feltham and the Darussalam Centre in Heston.