The Bridge

August 2007, Issue No. 23 
The Journal of the Churches' Agency for Inter Faith Relations in Scotland

The next issue of The Bridge will be published on October 4, 2007.  Items for inclusion should reach me by October 3.

Any views or opinions presented are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of CAIRS unless otherwise specifically stated.  Most news items are links to other news sources, for whom CAIRS accepts no liability for accuracy. We take reasonable precautions to check for viruses but you are strongly recommended to carry out your own checks as CAIRS will not take responsibility for any damage caused as a result of virus infection.

In this issue: 

CAIRS events - advance news
o CAIRS seminar at NEXUS
o Christian Muslim Conversations
o Dialogue with Islam: Christianity & Scotland's Other Faiths Study Day, September 26
o Dialogue with Hinduism: Christianity & Scotland's Other Faiths Study Day, November 20 
Salmond and Islam 
US faith leaders press for an end to the war in Iraq 
Cultivating the Common Ground 
US evangelical Christians and Muslims alike, says study 
Relations with other faiths 
Survey on sexuality and spirituality in Scotland 
Clan Lanarkshire - focus on diversity 
Ramadhan - Advice from meem 
Doors Open 
News from the Conference of European Churches 
Details of upcoming inter faith events in Scotland
o Sacred Steps
o Festival of Spirituality and Peace
o Hindu Spirituality Conference
o Islam and Muslims Course

CAIRS Events

CAIRS Seminar at NEXUS
Andrew Sarle will be leading a seminar entitled "Building Bridges" at NEXUS, the 3 day event incorporating the Scottish Christian Resources Exhibition at the SECC in Glasgow from August 23-25.  The CAIRS seminar is at 3.45pm on Friday August 24 in the Leven Room.  You can find out more about NEXUS here, and get tickets from the SECC box office, 0870 040 4000.

Christian Muslim Conversations
A series of evening meetings in various locations throughout Scotland will be held in the autumn. These meetings are designed to address issues that Christians may have in relation to our Muslim brothers and sisters.  They are deliberately being aimed at Christians who have had little or no experience of meeting with Muslims.  In a very basic dialogue, we hope to allay any fears a Christian may have about Islam, answer their questions about the Islamic faith, and demonstrate that we have much in common in our striving for peace and justice for all humanity.  These events are being co-organised by CAIRS and meem. 
The following sessions are confirmed at the present time.  Evenings in other locations will be added in due course.  Check the events page for additional dates.
Wed Oct 17  Bridge of Allan
Mon Oct 22  Edinburgh
Wed Oct 24  Cumbernauld
Thu Nov 1   Inverness
Thu Nov 8   Dumfries
Thu Nov 15  Newport-on-Tay

Dialogue with Islam
Christianity & Scotland's Other Faiths Study Day
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Further details of this day at Scottish Churches' House, being facilitated by Shoaib Saeed, are to be found here as a pdf. 

Dialogue with Hinduism
Christianity & Scotland's Other Faiths Study Day
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Further details of this day at Scottish Churches' House, being facilitated by Prof. Frank Whaling, will be issued in due course. Please, try and keep the date free in your diaries.

Inter Faith News

Salmond and Islam
Scotland's communities must hold together against the threats of terrorism, racism and sectarianism, the first minister has urged. The call came as Alex Salmond met with Muslim leaders at a Bute House reception as part of the Scottish Executive's One Scotland campaign. Mr Salmond said Scotland must not allow divisions to be created from within.
BBC News, July 31, 2007

Prof. Tom Gallagher questions whether the First Minister's actions in the aftermath of the Glasgow Airport incident could have been a 'boost for radical Islam'.  However Kate Smith argues that Tom's logic is faulty, and that Alex Salmond's actions seek to avoid conflict and polarisation, and are to be applauded.
Open Democracy, July 25, 2007
Sunday Herald, August 5, 2007

US faith leaders press for an end to the war in Iraq
A significant group of US religious leaders has come together to continue pressure for an end the war in Iraq. "From Conquest to Community, from Violence to Reverence," is the theme of an interfaith fast that will take place in local communities throughout the USA on 8 October 2007. The appeal is being organised by the Rev Dr Shanta Premawardhana, Associate General Secretary for Interfaith Relations at the National Council of Churches USA - which gathers together denominations and church bodies with some 45 million members.
The full appeal, already signed by a large number of leaders, can be read at Ekklesia, July 16, 2007

Cultivating the Common Ground
Interviewed by The Tablet, Cardinal Paul Poupard, the President of the Pontifical Council for Culture and for Interreligious Dialogue, answers criticism of the Pope's Regensburg address and denies that it caused strain on Catholic Muslim relations.  Due to the postal strike it is possible to read the article online.
The Tablet, August 4, 2007. (If you have problems downloading a copy, let me know and I'll send you a copy by e-mail or post)

Wisdom - Elijah Interfaith Institute Newsletter
Contents include a news update: Theologies of World Religions and a report of a conference held earlier this year entitled "Towards a Contemporary Muslim Theology of World Religions"
Wisdom, July 2007

US evangelical Christians and Muslims alike, says study
Despite having a faith tradition different to the predominant Christian traditions in the United States, Muslim Americans share much in common with other US religious groups, including white evangelical Protestants, a new study has found . "Although Muslims constitute a small minority in the United States, and their holy book and many of their religious rituals are distinctly their own, Muslim Americans are by no means 'the other' when it comes to religious life or politics in the United States.  In many ways [Muslim Americans] stand out not so much for their differences as for their similarities with other religious groups." Full story. 
Ekklesia, July 19, 2007

Relations with Other Faiths
is a newsletter by Iain Stewart, the Church of Scotland's Inter-Faith Support Worker, whose main purpose is to offer advice and encouragement to local churches.  The focus of Iain's July newsletter is the Hindu festival of Raksha Bandhan, and August features Ramadan. 
The July and August issues can be read by following these links. 

Survey on sexuality and spirituality in Scotland
Rev. Jake Tatton of Edinburgh Metropolitan Community Church invites people to take part in this survey.
To take part click here.

Clan Lanarkshire - focus on diversity
Museum Resources for Social Integration (a Regional Development Challenge Fund project) is currently developing a project called "Clan Lanarkshire - OBJECTifying Diversity"  The project involves producing a CD-ROM resource on diversity in Lanarkshire.  It will also be tied into the Scottish Interfaith Week (Nov/Dec 07) where we will be putting on a small culture/faith exhibition.  The contents of both the CD and the exhibition will be made from contributions/information gathered from individuals/groups who will take part in a series of short workshops/meetings.
The organiser, Christina Cox, is currently looking for various faith/culture groups to take part in the project.  She already has several groups involved, but is now looking to involve a representative group for the Christian Faith.  If you are based in Lanarkshire, and interested contact Christina Cox, Outreach Officer, North Lanarkshire Council Museums & Heritage Section, Buchanan Tower, Cumbernauld Road, Stepps, Glasgow G33 6HR Tel:  0141 304 1805 Mob:  07939284843

Ramadhan - Advice from meem
Every year in the month of Ramadhan, all Muslims fast from first light until sundown, abstaining from food & drink. Those who are sick, elderly, or on a journey, and women who are pregnant or nursing are permitted to break the fast and make up an equal number of days later in the year. If they are physically unable to do this, they must feed a needy person for every day missed. Children begin to fast (and to observe the prayer) from puberty, although many start earlier. Although the fast is most beneficial to the health, it is regarded principally as a method of self-purification. By cutting oneself off from worldly comforts, even for a short time, a fasting person gains true sympathy with those who go hungry as well as growth in one's spiritual life. The end of Ramadan is celebrated with the Eid ul Fitr.  On this day, Muslims go to the mosque for a special congregational prayer.  Families & friends visit each other, exchange gifts and socialize throughout the day. In some areas there are local functions and festivals.

What can organisations and businesses do?
Simple adjustments can alleviate difficulties for the Muslim colleague or client and result in greater productivity and a sound working/business environment. 
Ramadan is around 12th/13th September 2007 for 30 days (based on the lunar calendar) 
The fast commences between 4am & 5am and concludes between 7pm & 8pm (based on the rising & the setting of the sun) 
Raise awareness of Ramadhan amongst staff and it's implications for the organisation and Muslim colleagues/ clients 
Avoid food and drinks trolleys/ points near Muslim colleagues 
Avoid working lunches 
Muslims colleagues may require to take a short (10-15 minute) break at sunset to break their fast and pray 
Consider concessions for Muslim colleagues work during their lunch breaks in return for an later start/finish 
Ensure your canteen caters for Muslims at the times of keeping/opening their fast 
Evening functions can be difficult for Muslims to attend due to evening prayers at all mosques 
Muslim colleagues may look for time of at the end of Ramadhan for Eid at short notice (around 12th/13th October, based on the lunar calendar ) 
Set up an office/organisation Iftar (fast breaking) function for all to join in with. 
Get others to fast on a given day and raise money for charity 

Doors Open - From Plantation to Pollok, from Kabul to Kennishead
A new book featuring stories of people of many different faiths has been produced by The Village Storytelling Centre.  Containing interviews featuring many local residents of various faiths, both locals and asylum seekers, further details of the book may be found here.

News from the Conference of European Churches
The latest issue of Monitor features a number of interesting interreligious items

Inter Faith events

Sacred Steps
August 26, 2007
An afternoon walk through Pollokshields, with visits to Gurdwara, Mosque, Church and the Hidden Gardens.  Info: 0141 433 2722.
Poster downloadable here (pdf)

"Power and Freedom" - Festival of Spirituality and Peace
August 5 - 26, 2007
Full details here.

Hindu Spirituality Conference
1. Public Talk by His Holiness Vishwaguru Mahamandaleshwar Paramhans Swami Maheshwaranandaji. Title: Spirituality and Service.
September 27, 2007, 8pm. Doors open 7.30pm.
Nicolson Square Methodist Church, Edinburgh.

2. Hindu Spirituality Conference.
September 28 - 29, 2007, 9:30am for 10 to 5.30pm
Quaker Meeting House, 7 Victoria Terrace, Edinburgh.

3. Evening Satsangs led by His Holiness Vishwaguru Mahamandaleshwar Paramhans Swami Maheshwaranandaji.
September 28 & 29, 2007, 7pm onwards.
Quaker Meeting House, 7 Victoria Terrace, Edinburgh.

Bookings: Neill Walker, 0131 331 4469. 
More information and booking forms.

Meem "Islam and Muslims" course
For full details visit the meem website, contact meem by e-mail or call 07005 963 932.