CAIRS Home > Articles >

The Bridge

May 2007, Issue No. 20
The Journal of the Churches' Agency for Inter Faith Relations in Scotland

May 15,  2007


The next issue of The Bridge will be published on June 14, 2007.  Items for inclusion should reach me by June 13.

In this issue: 
 - Moderator calls for unity in historic official mosque visit 
 - Gaza journalist's plight symbolic for World Press Freedom Day 
 - "Why I am Not a Moderate Muslim" 
 - Women's Interfaith Media Literacy 
 - Slaying the dragons of religious and racial intolerance
 - Jewish and Muslim groups work together for inclusive Europe 
 - Religious attire still causing controversy in Europe 
 - Don't stare at Muslims says advice to schools 
 - London exhibition shows early Christian, Jewish and Muslim texts 
 - We're happy here, say city's Muslims 
 - Courageous Gina Khan calls for resistance to mosque radicals who 'import jihad' 
 - Daily Express says: "WE CANNOT SIT BACK AND LET SHARIA LAW TAKE ROOT IN BRITAIN" 
 - MCB response 
 - Daily Express says: "WE MUST DEMAND LOYALTY FROM PEACEFUL MUSLIMS" 
 - Flight of middle class Muslims 
 - US 'wants British Pakistanis to have entry visas' 
 - Bus firm's veil rule 
 - Blair plans to encourage inter-faith cooperation 
Coming events
 - Footprints for Peace
 - Edinburgh Inter Faith Association Annual Lecture
 - The Imam and the Pastor
 - Enough! Rally
 - Finding the Heart

Editorial
CAIRS exists to promote dialogue with people of other faiths.  There will always be people who do not support engaging with others - both in the Christian community and in other faith communities.  We must not be put off from engaging with those who are will to share encounter with us because we, or they, do not have 100% support from their own co-religionists.  Extremism of all persuasions is to be resisted - and the most effective way to do this is to marginalize the extremists, and concentrate our bridge building efforts on those who wish to share with us.  That does not mean diluting our beliefs, but being open to talk about them - indeed, in responding to difficult questions about our faith, we may well have to reflect on aspects of our belief and in doing so learn as much about ourselves and what we hold to be true as about our dialogue partner and what they believe. The Daily Express, predictably, expresses outrage at what it perceives as the Islamification of Britain. (see articles below)  But what it fails to say is that loyalty needs to be earned.  When Muslims are persecuted just for being Muslim, it is not hard to understand why they are reluctant to appear totally loyal to the United Kingdom.  When we treat anyone wearing a veil as suspicious or subversive, we do little to earn their respect or loyalty.  When we treat them as our equals, we may be able to engage in a dialogue of equals with them.

Falkirk Churches Together (FCT) is a Local Ecumenical Partnership including 2 Church of Scotland parishes,  a Scottish Episcopal Church,  a Roman Catholic Church, the Salvation Army and Grahamston United (CofS, Methodist & URC).  FCT has a joint Justice and Peace group, which has expanded to include members of the local Society of Friends (Quakers) and is in discussion with members of the local Mosque, to include the local Muslim community in this joint working on social issues.  This inter faith approach to such matters is to be commended - and CAIRS would like to hear of other joint action groups that transcend faith boundaries that you know about.

In the last issue of the Bridge, I drew your atttention to Pluralism Day, being celebrated across the world on May 27, Pentecost.  The US does not seem to differentiate between Inter Faith and Pluralism, and so I would like to invite you to include a prayer for worldwide inter faith dialogue in your Pentecost celebrations.  You may wish to use the following prayer:

God of Abraham, Isaac and Ishmael
God of Krishna, Muhammad, Guru Nanak, and Baha'u'llah
Ultimate Reality of the Buddha
We pray for your compassion on behalf of all who believe in you as one God, manifested in different ways to different people

God of mercy and love help us to break down the barriers that divide us from one another and bind us closer together
that we may live in harmony with all humanity with those who serve you in different courts, worship you in different ways,
but love you, and seek to honour you, as we do.

Amen

Inter Faith News

Moderator calls for unity in historic official mosque visit
Leaders of Scotland's Christian and Islamic faiths held a historic meeting yesterday to urge unity at a time of "great difficulty" between the two communities. The Rt Rev Alan McDonald, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, met Muslim leaders at the Glasgow Central Mosque - the first official visit by a Kirk moderator. He told Habib-ur-Rahman, the President of the Mosque and the Imam, of his desire to unite peoples from the two faiths and overcome "those who seek to divide us".
The Herald, April 21, 2007

Gaza journalist's plight symbolic for World Press Freedom Day
The Catholic archbishop of Dublin and the Imam of the Islamic Cultural Centre of Ireland marked World Press Freedom Day yesterday (3 May 2007) by calling for the release of the BBC correspondent Alan Johnston, who was abducted in Gaza City in March this year. The last word was that Mr Johnston is still alive. The Palestinian authorities, civic groups, human rights organizations, journalists throughout the world, churches, mosques, trade unions and the international community have all been working hard for his release. Mr Johnston is seen in the region not merely as 'another Western hostage' (the majority of captives are Arab) but as a symbol of honest and independent reporting in a situation of conflict.
Ekklesia, May 4, 2007

"Why I am Not a Moderate Muslim"
Last month, three Muslim men were arrested in Britain in connection with the London bombings of July 2005. In light of such situations, a number of non-Muslims and Muslims alike yearn for "moderate," peace-loving Muslims to speak out against the violent acts sometimes perpetrated in the name of Islam. And to avoid association with terrorism, some Muslims adopt a "moderate" label to describe themselves. I am a Muslim who embraces peace. But, if we must attach stereotypical tags, I'd rather be considered "orthodox" than "moderate." "Moderate" implies that Muslims who are more orthodox are somehow backward and violent. And in our current cultural climate, progress and peace are restricted to "moderate" Muslims. To be a "moderate" Muslim is to be a "good," malleable Muslim in the eyes of Western society. I recently attended a debate about Western liberalism and Islam at the University of Cambridge where I'm pursuing my master's degree. I expected debaters on one side to present a bigoted laundry list of complaints against Islam and its alleged incompatibility with liberalism, and they did.
Asma Khalid writing in the International News of the Islamic Society of North America, April 23, 2007

Women's Interfaith Media Literacy
Our culture, values and society are shaped by the powerful images, words and sounds of today's mass media.   All media play an important part in forming opinions, but often lack a female and faith perspective.  Women want both to affirm the good aspects of the media and influence and change the way media cover and present certain issues. Women's' Interfaith Media Literacy (WIML) is a unique project which aims to provide information and resources to help women from different faith communities to share their views and concerns, and interact effectively with all the media.  The project has set up an interactive website to provide information on media issues and links to existing media resources, education and interfaith organisations. 
Currently, three particular issues have been identified: " the portrayal of faith and faith communities in the media " the exploitation and stereotyping of women in the media " the premature sexualisation of, and marketing to children by the media In addition a number of regional media literacy awareness events will enable women from faith communities to collaborate and participate in information and interactive workshops.
Further details from the WIML website.
CTE News, April 2007

Slaying the dragons of religious and racial intolerance
Crusaders returning from the Holy Land brought back with them fantastic tales of a warrior saint who suddenly appeared at the sieges of Jerusalem and Antioch on a white charger. During the course of the middle ages, he became famous, as one writer put it, 'for dragon maintenance and virgin reclamation' - though he is now more likely to be celebrated on the football terraces and sometimes associated with the ideology of racist thugs. But several years ago, on a visit to the West Bank, I discovered a very different St George. A few miles east of Bethlehem, close by the Israeli separation barrier, is the Palestinian village of Al Khadir. Al Khadir, I discovered, is the Arabic name for St George and is widely honoured throughout the Muslim world. My guide ushered me through a courtyard and into the dimly lit Orthodox Church of St George. Did I know that George was a Palestinian, he asked? Before the tensions of recent years, when travel was easier, Muslims and Christians would come together from miles around to make pilgrimage to Al Khadir. The village streets would be packed, lamb would be barbecued in the churchyard, and Christians and Muslims would sit and eat together.
Giles Fraser writing in Ekklesia, April 23, 2007 

Jewish and Muslim groups work together for inclusive Europe European
Jewish and Muslim organisations have come together to create a dialogue over global concerns, opposition to racism, and their common future in a diverse Europe. Among the questions tackled at a conference on Jewish-Muslim Dialogue held in Brussels last month were: " What is the role of the Middle East conflict in Jewish-Muslim conversation? " Is the media a positive force for change in inter-religious relations? " How can local communities be successfully engaged together? Addressed by speakers including Imam Dr Abduljalil Sajid (chair of the Muslim Council for Religious and Racial Harmony, UK), Rabbi Michel Serfaty (Founder & President of Amitié Judéo-Musulmane de France) and European Commission Culture Director Vladimir Sucha, participants were reminded of their shared religious and cultural heritage and were encouraged to join forces rather than working against each other. A key outcome of the Conference was the establishment of a European Platform for Jewish-Muslim Co-operation to both encourage and to raise the profile of local, national and Europe-wide dialogue and co-operation initiatives.
Ekklesia, April 23, 2007  

Religious attire still causing controversy in Europe
The Dutch and Italian governments have come out against the wearing of some religious clothing in public. In the Netherlands five schools, situated in what is known as the Dutch "Bible Belt", have become the first in the Netherlands to be allowed to ban the wearing of headscarves and other religious symbols. A spokesperson for the Dutch Commission for Equal Treatment explained: "Normally schools won't be allowed to ban the headscarf…These are specialised (Christian) schools...If someone wants to attend the school, they are asked to sign papers agreeing with the religion, identity and rules in these schools" In Italy Interior Minister Giuliano Amato has also presented guidelines on religious veils. "Types of clothing that cover the face are not acceptable because they prevent the identification of the person and are an obstacle to the interaction with others" he said.
Ekklesia, April 26, 2007  

Don't stare at Muslims says advice to schools
Pupils and teachers have been told by an official body not to stare at Muslims for fear of causing offence.  A document intended to educate against religious intolerance and sectarianism urges teachers to "make pupils aware of the various forms of Islamophobia, ie stares, verbal abuse, physical abuse".  But Learning Teaching Scotland (LTS), which issued the advice, has been criticized by politicians and Muslim leaders for going "over the top". The document states: "Some Muslims may choose to wear clothing or display their faith in a way that makes them visible. Staring or looking is a form of discrimination as it makes the other person feel uncomfortable, or as though they are not normal." Osama Saeed, a spokesman for the Muslim Association of Britain, accused officials of going too far. "There are far more serious elements of Islamophobia. Personally I have not encountered much of a problem with people staring."
Sunday Times, April 15, 2007

London exhibition shows early Christian, Jewish and Muslim texts
Several of the world's earliest surviving texts of the Christian, Jewish and Muslim faiths are being exhibited side by side for the first time in a major exhibition which opened at the British Library in London on Friday 27 April. "Sacred - Discover what we share" runs, with free public admission, until 23 September. "We hope that this exhibition can make a significant contribution towards promoting better understanding of the three faiths. We took the groundbreaking decision to display objects of the three religions side by side rather than in separate zones to show how they have interacted and influenced each other and how much they have in common." Exhibition curator Graham Shaw
Martin Revis of Ecumenical News International writing in Ekklesia, April 28, 2007 
In addition the British Library is bringing a programme of activities based around the theme of faith to a wider audience. The themes from the Sacred exhibition have been adapted for a touring programme. These events will be set inside a Mongolian-style yurt, which will visit a number of locations in the UK.  Unfortunately the Scottish leg of the tour has now passed!
Documents can be viewed and more information on the exhibition may be found on the British Library website.

We're happy here, say city's Muslims 
The Muslim population in Dunfermline feel more welcome now than they ever have, according to the leader of the city's Islamic Centre. "I'm happy here and I like this part of Dunfermline," the imam said. "All over the people of Dunfermline are very nice and I love my neighbours. Most of the people here are civilised and peace-loving, and treat us equally." He continues, "As time passes, they understand that you're living here and that the Muslim community is a part of Dunfermline." The leader of the mosque also raised concerns about recent high levels of negative media coverage surrounding Muslims.  He explained, "I think certainly a few people may be brainwashed against Islam if you see Muslims every time on television, 24 hours a day."
Dunfermline Press, April 26, 2007

Courageous Gina Khan calls for resistance to mosque radicals who 'import jihad'
A Muslim woman in Birmingham has issued a call to resist the radicals in her culture, and not to be afraid of them. Gina is quoted as saying, "I truly believe that …mosques are importing jihad. The radical teaching is filtering through, and these mosques are not regulated. They are supporting everything that is wrong about Islam. We within the community knew this. People are lying. They are in denial. They knew they were bringing in radicals. But there are still more English and British people, no matter what, and if they got together and wanted to stamp out this radicalism, they could. I am wasting my time talking to my own people; that is why I am sitting here talking to you, to open your eyes."
Mary Ann Sieghart writing in The Times, February 9, 2007

The Times article is reprinted in the May issue of "The Congregationalist" along with comments including:
"I count Muslims amongst my friends.  What they say I will listen to, but we too must be free to speak out and have the right to our equality." - Pastor Alan Melville of Beer, Devon
"We have know for years that there have been centres of what we used to call 'fundamentalist' and now call 'extreme' Islam.  As outsiders who are not part of the (Muslim) community we must take care to avoid stereotyping, but we should not dismiss the problems either.  My hope is that Gina and others like her will get the support she deserves and succeed in raising awareness among her community and changing what is negative.  We must continue to develop positive relationships between communities."  - David Gent, Federation Council chairman

Daily Express says: "WE CANNOT SIT BACK AND LET SHARIA LAW TAKE ROOT IN BRITAIN"
In a political climate of craven appeasement towards Muslim extremism, the Islamification of our country is steadily accelerating. Across large swathes of urban Britain, Muslim practices, customs, schooling and dress-codes now prevail. But perhaps the most dramatic indicator of this process comes from the West Yorkshire town of Dewsbury, where Muslim elders have decided to set up their own Islamic court to impose Sharia law in civil disputes within their communities.
Daily Express, April 30, 2007
 
The Assistant Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain, Inayat Bunglawala, has responded to the Daily Express. His letter notes that the front page article (above) "continues the longstanding Daily Express policy to misrepresent and demonise Islam and British Muslims with a clear view to inciting hatred of them"
MCB News, May 1, 2007

Daily Express says: "WE MUST DEMAND LOYALTY FROM PEACEFUL MUSLIMS"
When the IRA came within an ace of assassinating Margaret Thatcher and her entire Cabinet in Brighton in 1984, its leadership put out a chilling statement which declared: "We were unlucky. But remember; we only have to be lucky once. You will have to be lucky always." …Today the nation faces an even more deadly, homegrown threat.  The latest British-born Muslims to be convicted of seeking to commit mass murder in their own country may regard themselves as having been unlucky to be detected. Had they detonated vast bombs in nightclubs or shopping centres or, still worse, acquired a nuclear device, thousands would have died. Mercifully, they were caught in time.
Daily Express, May 1, 2007

Flight of middle class Muslims
Many Muslims, fed up with what they see as Islamophobia, are upping sticks and heading for the Middle East. At Nuzhat al-Sibassi's family home in south London, the contents are being packed away in boxes, ready to be shipped to the United Arab Emirates.  Mrs al-Sibassi was born in Britain to Pakistani parents, raised and educated here. She's worked as a senior hospital manager in the NHS, but is now moving with her family to the United Arab Emirates. She says, "Living here is not how it was. The politics and the environment has changed and people's perception of Muslims has changed dramatically. A number of incidents in UK over past 3-4 years have marred life for decent Muslims living here.  I know many Muslims who have been arrested and put in cells overnight without being charged. They're not terrorists - they just happen to have a beard and visit the mosque on a Friday. It makes us all feel uneasy, and you want to be away from it, hence the move."
BBC News, April 24, 2007

US 'wants British Pakistanis to have entry visas'
The American government wants to impose travel restrictions on British citizens of Pakistani origin because of concerns about terrorism, according to a report today. In talks with the British government, the US homeland security secretary, Michael Chertoff, called for these citizens to request a visa before they could travel to the US, according to the New York Times.  It claimed that US officials were concerned about the number of terrorist plots in Britain involving citizens with ties to Pakistan. Mohammad Sarwar, the Labour MP for Glasgow Central, described the proposal as "unbelievable and shocking." He added: "Every British citizen must have the same rights. I don't think America has any right to interfere in this way."
The Guardian, May 2, 2007

Blair plans to encourage inter-faith cooperation
As Tony Blair announced that he will stand down as prime minister on 27 June 2007, speculation continued as to his future role - including a foundation to promote inter-faith cooperation.   The Independent on Sunday newspaper claims that friends of the outgoing PM have said that he "plans to act as an ambassador for multi-faith dialogue in Britain and abroad."  Mr Blair recently declared: "The tragedy is that Christians, Jews and Muslims are all Abrahamic religions. We regard ourselves as children of Abraham but we have fought for so long."
Ekklesia, May 11, 2007

Inter Faith events

May 12 to August 6, 2007
Footprints for Peace
An "interfaith peace walk towards a nuclear-free future" will make its way from Dublin to London. The event, organised by the Australian group "Footprints for Peace" will take 86 days to complete and will cover a total of 1300 kms. It will end on 6 August - the anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima.  The walkers will be in Scotland between May 25 and June 16, going from Glasgow to Faslane and then making their way through Ayrshire and Dumfriesshire to Gretna. They will arrive in Glasgow on Friday May 25 and have a rest day on May 26  - staying at the Lansdowne Church of Scotland. They will then walk from Glasgow to Dumbarton on Sunday May 27 and from Dumbarton up to Faslane on Monday May 28. The aim of the walk is to raise awareness about nuclear weapons, nuclear power and the destructive effects of the nuclear industry as a whole. It is an opportunity for ordinary people to come together in a non-violent, spiritually motivated action to "end the nuclear industry and reclaim the future". There are many ways in which you can help - even by not walking!!  Accommodation, showers, meals, or joining a stage of the walk. 
Please contact Kerry Ann 07881 425 531 for further information about how you can help, or check out their website.  Fuller schedule.

Sunday, May 27, 2007, 3pm
Edinburgh Inter Faith Association Annual Lecture
Annual Lecture to be given by Shaykh Ibrahim Mogra, Inter-Faith Relations Representative to the Muslim Council of Britain, in the  City Chambers, High St., Edinburgh
(followed by a Civic Reception to be hosted by the Lord Provost, at 5pm)  Limited availability so please reply asap to guarantee a seat. RSVP by e-mail.

Wednesday, May 30, 2007, 7pm
The Imam and the Pastor
The Edinburgh Interfaith Women's Group will be showing the film "The Imam and the Pastor" in the Robertson Hall, Nicolson Square Methodist Church, Edinburgh.  The meeting will start at 7pm with a finger food buffet followed by the screening of the film.  This meeting is open to both women and men.  Further details from Janice Clark, 0131 667 1465.

June 9, 2007
ENOUGH! Rally: The world says No to Israeli Occupation
The ENOUGH! Coalition (which includes many inter faith groupings, listed here) is organising a major national demonstration and rally to take place in London on the afternoon of 9 June 2007 - the international day of action to mark the 40th anniversary under the slogan: "The World Says No to Israeli Occupation". This is the primary international event of the year in support of the Palestinian people, and we are hoping to have tens of thousands of people at the rally to send a strong message both to the Israeli government and to No 10 Downing Street. Fuller details.

Saturday, June 23, 2007, 10am to 5pm
Finding the Heart
A day of meditation for those of any faith or none led by Ajahn Candasiri, a Buddhist nun from the Theravada tradition. At St Columba's-by-the-Castle, 14 Johnston Terrace EDINBURGH. Cost: by donation Further information from Elspeth Strachan, 0131 538 7033.  The flyer and registration form may be downloaded as a pdf file here.