Inter Faith Stories

Chanukah Celebration for Birmingham Methodists

Joy Barrow, Inter Faith Relations Officer - Sometimes I am told of inter faith encounters that are really encouraging. The following was received from Wilfrid Richardson - who is 85 years old - and I was delighted when he gave permission for me to publish it on the website.

Wilfred writes: 

I have built up very good relations with a number of Muslim families who have lived in this block of flats. The husband of the present family wondered if they would be safe here when they moved in. I happen to be the Volunteer Block Rep, contact with the Housing staff if problems arise, and I went up to introduce myself and told him to contact me should he need help in any way. Initially I kept him supplied with local information that would help him and his family.

He has told me that my first visit made him feel much better about living here and he told me that I am his adopted father. African people almost worship their elder relations and there is nothing his family will not do for us. We often come home from the weeks shopping with quite a load of bags. If any of them are about when we arrive they will not let us take the heavy bags. At other times if the children are down stairs playing they open the door and hold it for us to enter.

Their oldest daughter comes down once a week to do some cleaning with the vacuum cleaner and dusting for my wife. We pay her for doing this. She is so thorough with whatever she does for us.

I had an angina attack recently. As soon as my wife told him he made sure she was OK and visited me in hospital. I was asleep when they arrived so they just stood by my bed. When I opened my eyes I was so thrilled to see them both. They were so concerned about me. I was only in over night after having a good MOT. I called on them when I got home and they were so pleased to see me.

It's Ramadan now which will be followed by Eid and we will be invited to join their celebrations as happened last year.

Whenever I am in contact with a Muslim I try to remember to greet them with, "as salaam o-allaikum" (Peace be unto you) This greeting really breaks the ice and improves the relationship.

From: Peshawar, Pakistan (May 29 2010)

The Pakistan Council of World Religions (Faith Friends), an organization working for inter-religious harmony and understanding, organized a seminar for reporters, columnists and the media.

The Rt Revd Humphrey S. Peters, Bishop of Peshawar with the Most Revd,  the Rt Hon, the Lord Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury, during a visit to Lambeth Palace

Prominent scholars and columnists, plus religious leaders of the prominent faiths participated in this graceful programme held at the Peshawar Press Club. The speakers emphasized  interfaith harmony to promote peace and justice. They said that the media can play a vital role in promoting positive attitudes which can be achieved through honest and positive reporting. The media can play an effective role in bringing peace and harmony among different faith communities and to remove all kinds of misunderstandings between the religions.

Some of the speakers also mentioned the western media's secular attitudes, which provoke religious communities all over the world. Such reporting was condemned and it was also stressed that the Pakistan media should uplift its standards to match the standards.

The representatives from the Diocese of Peshawar in this seminar were Revd S.P. Asghar (Secretary, Mission & Ministry), Revd Joseph John, Revd Naeem Patrick, Mr Insar Gohar, Mr Oliver Caleb and some youth members of our different parishes.

Note: it was the Diocese of Peshawar that initiated Faith Friends group in the Province

From: Manningtree Methodist Church: Sharing our Faith and Beliefs (March 2010)

Manningtree, the smallest town in England, was the focus for a series of six meetings on consecutive Wednesdays during Lent entitled 'Sharing our Faith and Beliefs'. These gatherings started with the traditional Ash Wednesday service and were then followed with Buddhist, Sikh, Greek Orthodox, Muslim and Jewish speakers. Each speaker received a warm welcome and expressed their pleasure at being invited to participate in the series. The speakers were located from a C.A.B. list although three of them were recommended by the Suffolk Inter-Faith Resource Unit in Ipswich.

Swadipa, the Buddhist representative told how he came to accept the tradition of Meditation and Self Fulfilment but did not accept there was a God. The aims of their tradition include peace, humility and self control.

The next week Mr. Malkiat Singh entertained the gathering outlining the history of the Sikh faith, their ready acceptance of all that is good in other faiths. He also discussed some of the issues for Sikhs living and working in a western culture such as Great Britain.

Father Alexander Haigh was an Anglican Priest who changed traditions about sixteen years ago and now leads the Greek Orthodox Church in Colchester. His main emphasis was adhering to the fundamentals of the Christian Church as from 1st century. Worship is the centre of all their being, with icons pointing them to God. Their tradition is so focused that the matters that concern other Christian faiths such as accommodating children, the role of women in ministry and sexual deviations all have to fit into the pattern of the early church.

The Muslim representative, Mojlum Khan, highlighted how much the major faiths have in common for example worshipping and honouring God, peace and serving your neighbour. Muslim teaching is based on the Qur'an: if it is not in the Qur'an it is not a tenet of Islam. Emphasising the Muslim importance and respect for women and for peace, Mojlum Khan strongly condemned those who interpret the Muslim faith with their own national or regional traditions.

The final session was with Elizabeth Sugarman who focused on the daily life of an Orthodox Jew. She surprised the audience but saying they have over 600 hundred commandments, 365 of which are dietary as well as complex calendar arrangements governing their activities and celebrations. Living in a Western culture meant that some of the laws were adjusted such as the limits on travelling to the nearest Synagogue. There are presently no synagogues in Suffolk, so Mrs Sugarman travels from Felixstowe to Colchester to attend services.

The audience which averaged 30-35 for each meeting, included local Methodists, Anglicans and non church attendees and proved to be a very successful event, creating understanding and the desire for peace and harmony amongst all peoples. To help set the scene for each session appropriate music was played and pictures were projected showing some of the outstanding temples and places of worship around the world.

David Shearmur (Church Steward)

You can also read stories from Bradford, Birmingham, Leagrave and Slough about inter faith activities during Inter Faith Week, November 2009. 

Want to learn more about engaging in Inter Faith conversations?

Read  Where Do I Begin?,  How Will I Know What to Say? and check out Resources. You can also contact Dr Joy Barrow, the Inter Faith Relations Officer