Relations With Other Faiths (RWOF) July 08 It has been another eventful month with several highlights. The completion of the painting of Govanhill Church Hall was a huge success and would not have been possible without the help of the Global Xchange volunteers and in particular Rizi Mohammed and his friends from Central Mosque. This was a good example of people putting the teaching of love your neighbour into practice. It showed that we can co-exist happily alongside one another and work together for a common cause. It also shows that the good will exists to work together to create caring communities, where the views of others are respected, differences can be put aside, friendships can be built up and where together we can work on common projects and tackle important social issues. It all starts from little baby steps. Above: Pictures taken left from outside the Mosque and right a volunteer paints the inside of the Church A huge sigh of relief was felt by me as the General Assembly passed the Inter-Faith deliverance without the blink of an eye lid. I would like to thank everybody who has supported my work this year including my line manager Alex Millar and my focus group helpers as this endorses the work that I have been doing, which would not have been possible without their support. On a final note I would like to mention two final activities that were most pleasing. A visit to central Mosque with several colleagues, some for their first time, was an honour as we were shown parts of the Mosque that are normally closed to visitors and the hospitality we were shown was warming with Bashir Man signing and handing out copies of his latest book the ‘Thistle and the Crescent.’ Lastly I made an interesting visit to Herymires hospital East Kilbride where I advised ministers how to structure and set up their Chapel, which is now to be a multi-faith place of worship. For all you can say about my post one thing you cannot say is that it is monotonous and uneventful. Roll on next month. Lailat al Miraj Lailat al Miraj is an auspicious festival for followers of Islam. Lailat al Miraj literally means the night of Ascent. It marks the night on which the Prophet Mohammad is said to have attained a very high spiritual level. His ascent occurred on the 27th day of Rajab (seventh month of the Hijra or Muslim lunar calendar).This occasion is also called Shab-e-Miraj or Mira Kandili in Turkish. On this day muslims believe the Prophet Mohammad made his journey from Mecca to Al-Haram As-Sharif (Temple Mount in Jersualem), where he ascended to heaven (Jannah), met with the prophets and eventually with God. The believers of Islam celebrate this occasion as the day of enlightenment of their Prophet. The events on this day tend to bring the Islamic community together. The festival This occasion is celebrated by telling stories of the Prophet Mohammad. The story of Mohammads night journey is narrated, from his journey from Mecca to Jerusalem in a strange winged creature called Buraq in a single night, to his ascension to heaven. The story has it that one night Mohammad arose and went to pray near the Ka`bah. He fell asleep there. The angel Gabriel nudged him awake. Gabriel purified Muhammad’s heart, and filled it with faith. On his journey through the heavens, Muhammad saw Adam, John the Baptist, Jesus, Joseph, Enoch, Aaron, Moses, and Abraham before entering the presence of God. In addition to these well-known biblical figures, Muhammad saw angels everywhere, but especially around the Divine Glory. God told Muhammad that Muslims were to pray fifty times a day. As Muhammad left the presence of God and began his descent, he again spoke with Moses. Moses told him to return to the presence of God and ask for a reduction in number. Muhammad did so, and the number was reduced to forty. This sequence of events was repeated several times until the number was reduced to only five prayer times a day. Finally, Muhammad completed his descent and return to Mecca. After Muhammad returned to Earth to impart the spiritual knowledge he had reuired and to and tells the story in Mecca of his ascent, the unbelieving townspeople regard it as absurd. Some went to Muhammad's companion Abu Bakr to tell him, "Look at what your companion is saying. He says he went to Jerusalem and came back in one night." Abu Bakr in reply, tells them, "If he said that, then he is truthful. I believe him concerning the news of the heavens — that an angel descends to him from the heavens. How could I not believe he went to Jerusalem and came back in a short period of time — when these are on earth?" It was for this that Abu Bakr is said to have received his famous title "Us-Siddiq", The Truthful. Muslims disagree over the interpretation of these events. Most believe that the night Journey and the Ascent were physical occurrences—that Muhammad was borne bodily to Jerusalem and then to paradise. Others, however, believe that these things happened in a vision. Most agree however that the reason behind this Ascent was to substantiate the status that Prophet of Islam had achieved. Muslims also debate the meaning of these events for their relations with Christians and Jews. Some say that the juxtaposition of Mecca and Jerusalem shows that the Qur’an does not inaugurate a new religion, but rather continues the same divine message preached by the prophets of Judaism and Christianity. The author Jackie Walker makes some interesting points from a Christian perspective that you can read into as you see fit. First of all Mohammad was taken from the Temple Mount, the past site where Jesus overturned table, and the current site of the Dome of the Rock, to heaven to meet God. Secondly perhaps with some irony Lailat al Miraj occurs just five days after the transfiguration of Jesus in Orthodox Christianity. The story of the transfiguration in the Bible says that Jesus stood a top a mountain where he spoke with God (who called him son). The sacred rock on the Temple Mount is said to bear the hoof print of Buraq. It is now enclosed in the Dome of the Rock, built by Caliph Abd al-Malik in 691 A.D. Jerusalem is the third most important city in Islam largely because of the events celebrated on Lailat al-Miraj ( For a more detailed story of Mohammad’s journey follow the link opposite). http://www.change.freeuk.com/learning/relthink/nightjourney.html Quranic Basis For Story Interestingly. Very little is said in the Quran about the event. However the following two suras recount the story: Qur’an, chapter 17 verse 1:Glory to (Allah) Who did take His servant for a Journey by night from the Sacred Mosque to the farthest Mosque, whose precincts We did bless - in order that We might show him some of Our Signs: for He is the One Who heareth and seeth (all things) — translated by Abduallah Yusuf Ali Quran, chapter 17 verse 60: Behold! We told thee that thy Lord doth encompass mankind round about: We granted the vision which We showed thee, but as a trial for men,- as also the Cursed Tree (mentioned) in the Qur'an: We put terror (and warning) into them, but it only increases their inordinate transgression!— translated by Abduallah Yusuf Ali. How Followers of Islam celebrate this festival This day is marked by the decoration of Ascent (Miraj), mosques and houses, with colorful pennants and buntings. As evening approaches, devotees amass in mosques and offer prayers to the almighty, praising The Lord (Allah) and the Prophet (Peace be upon Him) and sing devotional hymns. In the night, people light up oil-lamps, candles, electric lights, etc. This gives a magnificent look to the houses, mosque and Ascent. Contrastingly unlike eids - revolving around the family - Lailat al Miraj is a community festival where all the members of the community participate as a whole. This brings unity and integrity in the community. Celebrations on this day tend to focus on children and the young. Children gather in mosque where they are told the stories of the Miraj. Public spiritual meetings are held at night after which Isha prayer (a prayer offered before sleeping at night) is held in larger mosques and the details about the Ascent are discussed. The satsangs is brought to a close with distribution of the sweets (holy sacrament/prasad), at the end. This is a holy night when the devotees take the opportunity to perform admirable deeds, such as donating money, distributing food among the poor and so on. Devotees spent the entire night of Lailat al Miraj in the remembrance of Prophet Mohammad. Bibliography 1. BBC Religion: http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/islam/holydays/lailatalmiraj.shtml 2. Wikipedia: Lailat – al – Miraj: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lailat_al_Miraj 3. Count Me In Calendar: http://www.countmeincalendar.info/show_campaign.php?calid=8&campaignid=179&categoryid=&banner_area=3&camp_dates=31%20Jul%202008 4. Online Learning Haven Website: Lailat al Miraj http://www.funsocialstudies.learninghaven.com/edu/lailat-al-miraj.html 5. Art Museum: http://www3.sdstate.edu/ClassLibrary/Page/Information/DataInstances/12264/Files/28474/LailtMrj.doc 6. Jackie Walker: http://jaclwalk.blogspot.com/2007/08/celebrate-lailat-al-miraj.html 7. Sanatan Sanstha: Sanatan Society For Scientific Spirituality: http://www.sanatan.org/en/festivals/islam/lailatulmiraj.htm 8. Al-Isra wa Al M Miraj: http://www.change.freeuk.com/learning/relthink/nightjourney.html Forthcoming Inter Faith Events Events with green headings are organised by CAIRS - The Churches Agency for Inter Faith Relations in Scotland.  Other event details are information received from member Churches and other partner organisations. CAIRS Events Sunday, June 8, 2008 12.30pm to 2.30pm Visit to Guru Nanak Gurudwara, Otago St, Glasgow. For further details see the May issue of The Bridge or download the flyer as a pdf file. Thursday, September 25, 2008, 10.30am to 3.00pm Jesus and Other Faiths A study day in the "Christianity and Scotland's Other Faiths" series to be held in Scottish Churches' House, Dunblane.  This will be led by the Convener of CAIRS, Sr Isabel Smyth, and Inter Faith Education Officer, Andrew Sarle. What can we learn from reflecting on Jesus as a rabbi, prophet, guru and brother of the Buddha?  Many recent Buddhist writings have pictured Jesus as an enlightened teacher.  Some Hindus elevate the divine status of Jesus to that of an "avatar" (a 'descent' of God).  Muslims have long claimed that Jesus was really a prophet of Islam, calling all people to submission to God.  And Jews have always claimed Jesus as a Jew, albeit a wayward one. Further details can be downloaded here (pdf, 140Kb).  A report of the series of Christian Muslim Conversations held in Autumn 2007 can be downloaded here  (pdf, 117Kb), or obtained from Andrew Sarle, 01259 222364, or email. Other Events Tuesday, June 3, 5.30pm to 6.30pm "Build bridges, not walls! It's time for Palestine" Help launch this WCC week of action and advocacy in Scotland. Join Scottish Church leaders and Scottish Members of Parliament who also "believe it is time for both nations to share a just peace." Hosted by the Scottish Parliament Cross Party Group on Palestine in Committee Room 1 of the Scottish Parliament RSVP: Nancy Adams (member of the Church and Society Network of Action of Churches Together in Scotland) e-mail Nancy or 01506 853110 or Tony Grahame (secretary to the Cross Party Group on Palestine) e-mail Tony. Tuesday, June 3, 6 to 7.30pm, followed by wine reception 'Faces of Confucius' 4: Lives of Confucius The Analects vs. the Historical Records' Accounts Prof Michael Nylan, Berkeley University, Raeburn Room, Old College, South Bridge, Edinburgh, EH8 9YL. Free, but ticketed, contact Ms Mingjie Johnson on 0131 662 2180 or online. June 4 to 10 International Church Action for Peace in Palestine and Israel Through a week of advocacy and action for a just peace in Palestine and Israel, WCC member churches and related organizations will contribute to a common international witness for peace. A growing circle of participants - so far, churches and specialized ministries from Australia, North America, Europe, South Africa and the Middle East have signed up - has committed themselves to: 1. Pray with churches living under occupation, using a special prayer from Jerusalem 2. Educate about actions that make for peace and about facts on the ground that do not 3. Advocate with political leaders using ecumenical policies that promote peace with justice 4. Take up Public Action - in order to stress the depth of church concern. The action week's message is that now "It's Time for Palestine": It's time for Palestinians and Israelis to share a just peace; time to end 60 years of conflict; time for freedom from occupation; time for equal rights; and time for the healing of wounded souls. Fuller details from the WCC. "All who are able to speak truth to power must speak it. All who would break the silence surrounding injustice must break it. All who have something to give for peace must give it. For Palestine, for Israel and for a troubled world, It's time for peace." You can read the full text of the Action Week Message, which concludes with this powerful statement, here. Monday, June 9, 6 to 7.30pm, followed by wine reception 'Faces of Confucius' 5: Confucius the enlightened philosopher Prof Joachim Gentz, Edinburgh University, Raeburn Room, Old College, South Bridge, Edinburgh, EH8 9YL. Free, but ticketed, contact Ms Mingjie Johnson on 0131 662 2180 or online. Thursday, June 12, 9.30am to 4.30pm Faiths in Creation: an inter-faith conference on religions and climate change What difference can religion make to the response to climate change and the depletion of natural resources? How can the major UK faiths, with their traditions of stewardship and justice, work together to motivate change? In 2007, the Faiths in Creation project set out to explore these questions through a series of inter-faith conversations.  This conference invites a wider audience to join in developing our thinking on themes such as the place of humanity in creation, religious belief and security, religion and the economy as a tool for change, and models of religious leadership. Venue: Heythrop College, Kensington Square, London W8 5HQ . The conference is free and open to all.  Contact Mark Leonard, 020 7795 4244 for more details. June 16, 2008 Meeting of the Interfaith Legal Adviser Network The Centre for Law and Religion at Cardiff University established the Interfaith Legal Adviser Network in December 2007.  The first of its kind in the UK, the Network seeks to facilitate an ongoing discussion providing members with a greater understanding of their respective religious legal systems and the common legal issues they face. Further details. On 16th June 2008, the Centre will host the second meeting of the Network. The meeting will focus upon (i) marriage, including discussion of the Civil Partnership Act 2004 and interfaith marriages, and (ii) discrimination law, looking at how laws prohibiting discrimination upon grounds of sex, religion or belief and sexual orientation affects faith groups. If you are interested in attending this meeting please email Russell Sandberg. Saturday, June 28, 6 to 7.30pm, followed by wine reception 'Faces of Confucius' 6: Confucianism in China today Prof Wang Hui, Tsinghua University. Venue tbc. Free, but ticketed, contact Ms Mingjie Johnson on 0131 662 2180 or online. July 7-31, 2008 Building an interfaith community The Ecumenical Institute at Bossey in Switzerland is again running a programme entitled Building an Interfaith Community. During July 2008, about 30 participants, aged 25-35, from Christian, Jewish and Muslim communities from different parts of the world are expected to participate. For one month, the students will live together within the Bossey community. The programme will consist of formal lectures given by specialists from Christian, Jewish and Muslim communities, panels, group discussions and workshops. The goal of this programme is to learn about each other and to challenge and overcome stereotypes. The overall question to be explored is: What can we, as people of faith, do to respond and to overcome the pressing challenges of our time? For more details contact Bri or consult the WCC website. Thursday, July 24, 7.30pm "East-West Bridges of Faith and Peace" Christian - Buddhist - other contributions.  A Europe - Asia dialogue for peace by faith traditions.  Further information from Brian Cooper, 0131 446 9545, 28 Great King St., Edinburgh News Headlines * Jewish leaders hail Saudi king's push for inter-religious dialogue ENI-08-0419 By Cheryl Heckler * Oxford, Ohio, 28 May (ENI)--Leaders of the World Jewish Congress have endorsed a call by King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz of Saudi Arabia for more dialogue between Jews, Christians and Muslims worldwide to reinforce common values among the Abrahamic faiths. * "It is the duty of all religions to restore respect for humanity," the WJC said in a statement on 27 May. "Such an initiative demonstrates optimism that dialogue involving representatives of different faiths can help the peoples of the world during difficult times. Discussion can help in finding ways to approach the crisis of ethical values facing our societies." * In March, while speaking at a conference in Riyadh on culture and religion, King Abdullah said, "The idea is to ask representatives of all monotheistic religions to sit together with their brothers in faith and sincerity to all religions as we all believe in the same God." * The king was referring to three Abrahamic or monotheistic faiths - Christianity, Islam and Judaism - which are said to account for more than half of the world's population. * Saleh Yousef, a specialist in Arabic culture and inter-religious discourse, who teaches at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, welcomed the move, but said, "It’s easy for the king of Saudi Arabia to make these comments in front of the lights and the cameras on an international stage. The real question is what foundation will be put in place to see this through?" He added, "The Saudis must step forward now and take action. But there are many more questions to come: What will be the format? Will this involve governmental representatives or social representatives? Will they encourage youth exchanges?" Yousef himself has begun an inter-religious group in Oxford dedicated to promoting greater understanding and respect for the Abrahamic faiths. * The WJC said it strongly believes that thorough discussion and debate between people who share a common root they can learn that the ideals, aspirations and values "that we share far outweigh any difference we may have". WJC President Ronald S. Lauder described the king's initiative as "a laudable step forward. We hope that other religious and political leaders throughout the world will be encouraged to join." The congress governing board chairperson Matthew Bronfman, said, "The World Jewish Congress is ready to participate in any serious inter-faith talks that are based on mutual respect." The World Jewish Congress is the international organization representing Jewish communities in more than 80 countries around the world. It is often seen as the diplomatic arm of the Jewish people to governments and international organizations and has been involved in inter-religious dialogue for decades. [446 words] * ENI News Headlines and Featured Articles are now available by RSS feed. See http://www.eni.ch/rss/ All articles (c) Ecumenical News International Reproduction permitted only by media subscribers and provided ENI is acknowledged as the source. * Muslim TV Channel launches interfaith game show in Britain ENI-08-0418 By Martin Revis * London, 28 May (ENI)--An interfaith television game show, believed to be the first in Britain, in which Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Muslim and Sikh contestants compete against one another for cash prizes is to be broadcast weekly from the London studios of the Islam Channel from mid-June. The producer of the show says that two teams of four will answer rapid and multiple choice questions testing both general and religious knowledge, posed by the Muslim comedian Jeff Mirza. There will also be a home-or-away round in which contestants can answer questions on their own faith or the opposing team's for further points. Abrir Hussain, who is producing the show called "Faith Off", told Ecumenical News International, "I wanted to do something to promote good relations and bring a new approach to the interfaith debate other than that of the usual consultative round table format." Hussain said, "The aim is attract younger people who may find the commendable but somewhat repetitive [interfaith] initiatives going on at the moment boring." He told ENI, "While the show has not been designed to touch on contentious areas there will be an opportunity for some discussion arising from the questions." Interfaith bodies had been consulted during the planning stage and all had responded positively. One of the show's Jewish contestants, 42-year-old Danny Judelson, was quoted as saying by the Guardian newspaper: "A game show is an original idea, to say the least ... I thought it was interesting that the channel were taking seriously the opportunity to educate their audience. There's a very serious purpose behind it." For the two shows already shot, participants were invited to the studios two hours beforehand to get to know one another. Hussain said it had gone very well. The show was not aimed at theologians or scholars, and the participants would have varying degrees of knowledge. It was hoped to show some of the similarities between religions rather than focusing on the differences, in order to promote better relations. The prizes would be modest, as the show was more about taking part than winning. The programme will be shown in 31 countries and also world wide via the Internet. [373 words] * ENI News Headlines and Featured Articles are now available by RSS feed. See http://www.eni.ch/rss/ All articles (c) updated 9:30 p.m. EDT, Sun May 18, 2008 U.S. soldier uses Quran for target practice; military apologizes BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- A soldier used the Quran -- Islam's holy book – for target practice, forcing the chief U.S. commander in Baghdad to issue a formal apology on Saturday. Maj Gen Jeffrey Hammond, commander of US forces in Baghdad, flanked by leaders from Radhwaniya in the western outskirts of Baghdad, apologized for the staff sergeant who was a sniper section leader assigned to the headquarters of the 64th Armored Regiment. He also read a letter of apology by the shooter. It was the first time the incident - which tested the relationship between US-backed Sunni militiamen and the military - was made public since it was discovered May 11. "I come before you here seeking your forgiveness," Hammond said to tribal leaders and others at the apology ceremony. "In the most humble manner I look in your eyes today and I say please forgive me and my soldiers." Another military official kissed a Quran and presented it as "a humble gift" to the tribal leaders. The soldier, whose name was not released, shot at a Quran on May 9, villagers said. The Quran used in the incident was discovered two days later, according to the military. Hammond also read from the shooter's letter: "I sincerely hope that my actions have not diminished the partnership that our two nations have developed together. ... My actions were shortsighted, very reckless and irresponsible, but in my heart [the actions] were not malicious." A tribal leader said "the criminal act by U.S. forces" took place at a shooting range at the Radhwaniya police station. After the shooters left, an Iraqi policeman found a target marked in the middle of the bullet-riddled Quran. Copies of the pictures of the Quran obtained by CNN show multiple bullet holes and an expletive scrawled on one of its pages. A military investigation found the shooter guilty and relieved him of duty; he will be redeployed to the United States for reassignment away from the 1st Brigade of the 4th Infantry Division, a US official said, "The actions of one soldier were nothing more than criminal behavior," Hammond said. "I've come to this land to protect you, to support you -- not to harm you -- and the behavior of this soldier was nothing short of wrong and unacceptable." Officials said the soldier claimed he wasn't aware the book was the Quran. US officials rejected the claim. Tribal leaders, dignitaries and local security officials attended the ceremony, while residents carried banners and chanted slogans, including "Yes, yes to the Quran" and "America out, out." Sheikh Hamadi al-Qirtani, in a speech on behalf of all tribal sheiks of Radhwaniya, called the incident "aggression against the entire Islamic world." The Association of Muslim Scholars in Iraq also condemned the shooter's actions and the US military's belated acknowledgment of the incident. "As the Association of Muslim Scholars condemns this heinous crime against God's holy book, the Constitution of this nation, a source of pride and dignity," the groups statement said, "they condemned the silence by all those who are part of the occupation's agenda and holds the occupation and the current government fully responsible for this violation and reminds everyone that God preserves his book and he [God] is a great avenger."