Senior faith leaders in Scotland have announced their support for The World’s Big Sleep Out and joined the movement to eradicate homelessness across the globe.
The World’s Big Sleep Out has its roots in Scotland, with the first sleep out in Edinburgh in 2016 organised by Social Bite’s co-founder Josh Littlejohn.
A mass sleep out will take place on the evening of Saturday 7th December at West Princes Street Gardens, one of 48 events around the world.
The aim is for tens of thousands of people to sleep out all over the world and to raise millions of pounds globally for charities tackling local homelessness.
Leaders from different faith communities in Scotland, united by the moral injustice of homelessness, have lent their support to The World’s Big Sleep Out.
Through their leadership of faith communities, they represent hundreds of thousands of people in Scotland and have put their support behind the movement, encouraging members of their communities to take part in the fundraising.
Josh Littlejohn MBE from the World’s Big Sleep Out said: “It’s uplifting to see the faith leaders of Scotland coming together. To tackle homelessness, we need operate collectively, with each faith community bringing its passion for social justice and social capital.
“The World’s Big Sleep Out has its inspiration in Scotland, so it’s fantastic to have the support of its faith leaders.”
Rt Rev Colin Sinclair, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, said: “Seeing the problem close up, talking with people who have become homeless means I am glad to support the World’s Big Sleep Out as an expression of solidarity, as an attempt to experience the world the homeless inhabit, and as a public statement that we need to work to help ensure everyone has a home they can call their own.”
Most Rev Mark Strange, Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church, said: “Once again winter has arrived and once again the plight of the homeless in our communities is heightened by the cold, we feel its bite and cannot imagine how it must be for those who are rough sleepers.
“The World’s Big Sleepout and the work of night shelters and all those who try to bring hope and some comfort for those who are struggling with homelessness should be fully supported by the people of faith in this country.”
Revd Dr David Pickering (no relation! – Ed), Moderator of the United Reformed Church National Synod of Scotland, said: “It is shocking and unacceptable that in a rich nation 2000 years on, women and men, infants and children, including those fleeing violence, still experience homelessness.
I hope that the 2019 World’s Big Sleep Out may shame the powerful to act and be a beacon of hope for the most vulnerable.”
Rev. Basil Clark, for Caritas, Justice & Peace, Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh, said: “Life without the security and shelter of a decent home can break the human spirit, destroy family life and has the capacity to lead to further social evils.
“The World’s Big Sleep Out raises our awareness of this terrible issue. A tragedy which demands of us both compassion and creative determination to challenge those in authority – and ourselves – to prioritise the poorest and most vulnerable in society.”
Revd Mark Slaney, Chair of the Methodist Church in Scotland (Scotland District & Shetland District), said: “As Chair of the Methodist Church in Scotland I offer my support to all those who will act in solidarity in the World’s Big Sleep Out.
“The founder of the Methodist Church, John Wesley, taught us ‘not to go to those who need you but those who need you most.’ As the temperatures have dropped here in Scotland recently and we enter the coldest months of the year those without a home are amongst those who need us most.”
Imam Sayed Ali Abbas Razawi, Chief Imam, Director General, Scottish Ahlul Bayt Society, said: “With some of the most vulnerable members of our society lacking a safe and secure place to call home, homelessness has become a human crisis in our modern world.
“As faiths who teach to want for others as we want for ourselves, this is made ever more tragic. Human dignity necessitates that everyone deserves the security of good housing. As the Muslim community, we are willing to work with other faiths to provide whatever support we can to raise the standard of living for those living rough. We will be participating in and supporting the World’s Big Sleep Out to call for a global end to homelessness.”
Rabbi Moshe Rubin, Senior Rabbi of Scotland, of Giffnock and Newlands Hebrew Congregation, said: “A home not only provides shelter and security but is so much more than that. It is where one’s identity is expressed and we can each express our uniqueness.
“It is why the message of the World’s Big Sleep Out is so important and must be heard. The world is faced with so many different challenges and the first step of tackling these many challenges must be giving back to people dignity and respect, which is something we hope and pray for.”
Acharya Ji Mishra (Hindu Priest), on behalf of the Hindus of Scotland, said: “The Hindu Community of Scotland is fully supportive of the World’s Big Sleep Out and we desire to see an end to homelessness everywhere.
“In a compassionate society no-one should have to live without shelter, warmth and safety. Homelessness is a modern tragedy that is totally unnecessary and we stand together with everyone taking part in the World’s Big Sleep Out.”
Allan Forsyth, on behalf of the Bahá’í Community of Scotland, said: “The Baha’i Community of Scotland welcomes the World’s Big Sleep Out as a demonstration of collective solidarity with all those who suffer homelessness and poverty and as a commitment to building a world where everyone can live lives unburdened from such suffering.
“We hope that the event serves to increase awareness of the need for all of us, as individuals and as a society, to take action to bring about the change required.”
Dr. Maureen Sier, Director of Interfaith Scotland, said: “As Director of Interfaith Scotland, I am deeply aware that all faith communities at their heart desire a fairer, safer and more compassionate world – a world where homelessness would not exist.
“I fully endorse the World’s Big Sleep Out and hope that it highlights the plight of the homeless; raises awareness of the level of human suffering that homelessness entails; and that it galvanises everyone to work together to ensure that across the world there is an end to this tragedy.”
Iain Stewart, Executive Director, Edinburgh Interfaith Association, said: “At the heart of all faith communities is a commitment to building a more compassionate fairer world, free of poverty and social injustice.
“A world where no one should have to be homeless and live without shelter, food and warmth. As members of the Edinburgh Interfaith Association we fully support the World’s Big Sleep Out and hope that this event can energise societies across the world to take action to put an end to homelessness.”
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