Tag: Religion

UK Schools spread misinformation about Hinduism, says new report

A new report [1] published by INSIGHT UK reveals that pupils leave school with an incorrect and sparse understanding of Hinduism. INSIGHT UK is an organisation that aims to address the concerns of the British Hindu and British Indian communities.

The document titled “A report on the state of Hinduism in Religious Education in UK Schools”, includes claims of bullying and inferiority complex issues experienced by British Hindus because of the inaccurate teaching of Hinduism in RE.

It states some disturbing findings, including parents highlighting misinformation spread by UK schools, for example linking gender disparity in education in India to Hinduism and linking social issues from South Asia to Hinduism. A teaching book even suggested that Hindus were turning to terrorism.

The report also provides evidence that the subject is not available for most students taking GCSE exams, despite Hindus being the third-largest religious group in the UK. The project by INSIGHT UK was supported and guided by major Hindu organisations in the UK. Asmita Bhudia, a Hinduism Tutor and School Teacher, says, “The choice is taken away from pupils and parents to accurately study Hinduism in many UK schools”.

INSIGHT UK carried out consultations and research with SACRE members, academics, teachers, and parents followed by a national survey, which is being described as one of the most successful Hindu surveys in the UK in terms of responses and coverage.

Data captured showed that the majority of British Hindus were dissatisfied with the teaching of Hinduism in UK schools and unhappy with teachers’ knowledge of the subject. The report mentions that as a result, students in the UK schools are being deprived of the correct knowledge of Hinduism and hence of a true world view.

Recent research has claimed many schools were breaking the law when it comes to RE [2]. This comes at a time when Hindus have faced attacks for practising their faith [3].

This project of INSIGHT UK was supported and guided by the following major Hindu organisations in the country:

Edinburgh Interfaith Association presents A Spotlight On Faith

Edinburgh Interfaith Association (EIFA) has produced a series of online productions, A Spotlight On Faith.

EIFA strives to bring people together for the greater good, provide expert services, build meaningful and beneficial relationships and to represent the interests and needs of faith communities.

The latest video features an interview with Voice finalist Michelle John talking music, faith and her campaign against domestic abuse.

For more interviews go to the Edinburgh Interfaith Facebook page

Faiths come together to celebrate 550th Anniversary of founder of Sikhism

550th Guru Nanak Birthday Civic Reception

A wonderful ground-breaking and, probably for the first time ever in the history of Scotland, that a Muslim organisation organised, Hindu organisation supported, Christian Lord Provost hosted an event for Sikhs on the 550th Anniversary of the birth of their founder and attended by all faiths (writes PUNEET DWIVEDI).  Continue reading Faiths come together to celebrate 550th Anniversary of founder of Sikhism

Eid al-Adha 2017: Prime Minister’s message

Prime Minister Therea May sends her warmest wishes to Muslims around the world, and here in the United Kingdom, who are celebrating Eid al-Adha this week:

I send my warmest wishes to Muslims around the world, and here in the United Kingdom, who are celebrating Eid al-Adha this week. And I congratulate everyone who has performed the Hajj this year.

At this special time, British Muslims will gather together with family, friends and neighbours to pray, to exchange gifts and to share meals.

Amidst these celebrations, they will also remember those in need, by extending a hand of friendship and compassion to those less fortunate than themselves.

That generosity towards others is shown all year round by British Muslims, through charitable giving and service in the community.

Indeed, British Muslims, and people of Muslim origin, make a huge contribution to all walks of life in the United Kingdom. They help to enrich the successful multi-racial, multi-faith democracy that is twenty-first century Britain.

As we celebrate this happy occasion here in the United Kingdom, we will also keep in our thoughts and prayers those around the world who will be marking this festival in places of conflict and insecurity.

This festival’s commemoration of Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice for his faith is a reminder of the shared roots of the world’s great Abrahamic faiths.

And in their warm spirit of neighbourliness and compassion, the Eid celebrations demonstrate common values in which we can all share.

So Eid Mubarak. I hope that this will be a wonderful occasion for everyone who is taking part.

 

Rosh Hashanah 2016

 

The Prime Minister sends her best wishes to everyone in Britain and around the world to mark this Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.

Prime Minister Theresa May said:

It gives me great pleasure to wish the Jewish community in Britain and around the world a very happy and peaceful New Year.

This is a special time, when Jewish families join together in celebration and prayer. It is also a time of remembrance and renewal.

We remember the tremendous contribution made by Britain’s Jewish community to this country, from those who have served in our armed forces to those leading in fields such as business, science and the arts. You have given so much over the years, while at the same time maintaining a sense of identity, religion and culture.

And in the spirit of renewal we think of the opportunities ahead not only for ourselves, but for our country: opportunities to forge a bold and positive new role for Britain in the world, to build a better, fairer society, and to bring people closer together.

I have seen for myself the inspirational work carried out by many Jewish charities and organisations in Britain: helping and supporting others and reaching out to people of different backgrounds and faiths.

I want to ensure that Britain is a place where all our communities can flourish, and that means stamping out sickening and shameful hatred, including anti-Semitism the like of which I never thought we would see again.

I am clear that such hatred has absolutely no place in our society. So,as the Jewish New Year begins, I want to renew my unshakeable vow to stand by our Jewish community now and for the years to come. And as Prime Minister, and working in partnership with you, I will do everything in my power to protect your community, and indeed all communities in Britain.

I am also proud to support the new National Holocaust Memorial which will be built at the heart of our democracy, next to Parliament, along with an associated learning centre. We owe it to everyone who endured the horrors of the Holocaust to remind future generations of the depths into which humanity can sink, so it is never repeated again.

So once again I want to wish the Jewish community all the very best this Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.

Ahead of the Jewish New Year, Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson also wishes all Jewish communities across the world a happy and peaceful Shana Tova.

The Foreign Secretary said: “As the Jewish High Holidays approach, I send my warmest wishes to all Jewish communities in the UK and around the world as they pause to reflect on the past year and to celebrate and make plans for the new year.

“At this time I want to provide assurances that we stand with you, in particular in the fight against antisemitism. There will never be a place for it in our society and we must work together to defeat it.

“The High Holidays hold a particular significance for Israel, a close friend of the UK. We will continue to work closely with them in the pursuit of peace in the region.

“I wish you all a happy and peaceful holiday period and a sweet new year. Shana Tova and Chatima Tova.”

Scottish Interfaith Week: 22 – 30 November

Making a difference through dialogue

climate change

Yesterday saw the launch of Scottish Interfaith Week at Edinburgh’s Our Dynamic Earth.

Organised by Interfaith Scotland, the week of activities provides opportunities for people from different religions and beliefs to come together to share ideas with one another on matters of religious, national and civic importance.

This year, the theme for the week is ‘Care for the Environment’ and there are lots of events taking place across the city. A full programme can be found here 

Scottish Interfaith Week 2015 Programme

Moderator’s Easter Message

Moderator of the Church of Scotland Rt Rev John Chalmer’s Easter message:

chalmers

I have found it particularly poignant to have followed the themes of Christian Aid, posted daily on our website, which bring us now to Easter Day.

I began our journey through Lent 40 days ago, when I commented that “when I see a child die because she slakes her thirst at a stagnant pond, I could not separate the relative value of the water that flows from the taps in my house and the living water which Christ speaks of in the story of the woman at the well in John chapter 4.”

And while it is my greatest delight at this Eastertide to celebrate the resurrection and wish you all the joy and hope that new life in Christ brings us, I cannot get away from the praying for and working for the day when women and men and little children across the world get the opportunity to enjoy, in full, their life before death.

But that, of course, is what the power of Easter invokes in us. I discover on Easter Day what life in all its fullness means. I see the transformation that takes place in the lives of the women who discover the empty tomb; I enjoy the way in which Cleopas and his friend find a new purpose when the stranger on the road beside them turns out to be the risen Christ walking with them and I just love the way doubting Thomas finds his faith renewed in the company of the other disciples.

But what’s it all about and what’s it all for?

Well here’s what it does for me. Because I believe in this life in all its fullness I want everyone else to experience it and to share it. So, it makes me I rage when I see social exclusion, it makes me angry that we don’t put enough effort into peace-making and it fills me with indignation when I see a mother who can’t feed her child.

This year I’ve seen what war does to people and I’ve seen the way in which the poor are left endlessly poor.

I therefore have two great hopes at Easter – the first: that the poorest of the poor will enjoy the new life of the Kingdom ahead of people like me and the second: that inspired by our Easter faith Christians across the world will become ever more passionate in their efforts to see that the least and the last get a chance to enjoy life before death.