Tag: Religion

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.

Lottery cash to support victims of honour abuse

Jarek JarozA unique project supporting victims of honour abuse within Edinburgh’s black and minority ethnic communities is to receive £786,814 from the Big Lottery Fund, it was announced today.

Over four years, the Bright Choices project, will support 130 families across Edinburgh affected by honour abuse – which are violent crimes thought justified to protect or restore the ‘honour’ of a family.

Developed in consultation with Police Scotland, the project is a new partnership between Sacro, Edinburgh and Lothians Regional Equality Council and Multi-Cultural Family Base.

In a recent survey of 300 Edinburgh residents, carried out by Edinburgh and Lothians Regional Equality Council, 63% of people stated that honour abuse was a part of their family’s belief system while 52% said that “honour” would prevent them reporting a crime to the police.

In Edinburgh and the Lothians, a sharp rise in honour abuse has been identified both by the Police and by local voluntary organisations. Lothian & Borders Police dealt with 41 such incidents in 2012, compared with 31 in the previous two years, although only seven of these resulted in charges being made, an indication of the difficulties and sensitivities involved in investigating such cases. Reported incidents, however, are widely accepted as being only a fraction of the actual levels of abuse occurring within communities.

Through this partnership project, each organisation will play its only distinct role in raising awareness of the impact of honour abuse within communities, as well as providing counselling and mediation for families and therapeutic play for children.

Sacro’s Ian McDonough said: “We will use restorative and mediation approaches to dealing with individual cases which have not resulted in formal action such as criminal prosecution but present indications that honour abuse is an actual or potential issue. Restorative approaches focus on repairing harm done to individuals and relationships by assisting people who have caused harm to acknowledge this and make amends and assisting those harmed to have reparation made to them.”

Steve Gowenlock from Multi-Cultural Family Base, said: ‘We will offer one-to-one support using a counselling skills approach with the aim of helping an individual to make informed choices about their options. Family and group work for children, young people or adults will be offered aimed at improving family communication and functioning while play based approaches will be used with children.”

Edinburgh and Lothians Regional Equality Council’s Ekta Marwaha added: “Our role within this project will be to provide community engagement and an extensive outreach strategy. As an organisation our focus will be to raise awareness, provide initial advice, liaise with and provide training for professionals, community groups and organisations on the impact of ‘honour abuse’ and highlight the best methodologies for intervention.”

Announcing today’s award, Big Lottery Fund Scotland Chair Maureen McGinn, said: “This project represents a new approach to helping black and minority ethnic families affected by honour abuse. At the Big Lottery Fund we are keen to support such an intervention which brings together the skills, experience and knowledge of a range of partner organisations. Working in partnership, they’ll engage with, and support families at as early a stage possible whilst raising awareness and tackling this complex subject matter head on.”

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SACRO is just one of 11 groups receiving funding, totalling £6,599,118, from the Big Lottery Fund’s Investing in Communities fund. Vulnerable older people, young carers and people facing barriers to work are amongst thousands of Scots to benefit from the latest Big Lottery Fund awards.

The other groups receiving funding today are:

Albyn Housing Society Limited £857,950

This project will provide financial advice to 2,500 tenants living in rural areas. It will work in partnership with Lochalsh and Skye Housing Association, Lochaber Housing Association, Cairn Housing Association and Pentland Housing Association.

Cothrom Limited £503,635

This project will grow and diversify the organisation ‘ReStore’ training service and social enterprise on South Uist. ReStore delivers training and personal development through local community recycling and reuse activities.

CSV £343,682

This project will support vulnerable and isolated elderly people living in the Forth Valley helping them maintain their independence in their home. Volunteers will provide a handyman service, a health and safety DIY house check, befriending and support in attending social events.

DEAP Limited £548,494

This project will provide practical and emotional support to care experienced young people, aged between 15 and 25, living in Dundee. It will offer a range of activities aimed at helping them to live independently while improving their chances of gaining employment or continuing in education.

DEAP Limited £457,874

This project delivered in Arbroath, Brechin, Montrose and Forfar will address barriers to effective job seeking and entering employment. The project will provide support to improve job seeking skills including training for online job seeking, taster placements and job brokering.

The Ecology Centre £920,849

This group will be able to relocate their existing centre to a new sustainable building. Once complete the centre will continue to provide much needed education space, meeting rooms and office space for local organisations.

ENABLE Scotland £309,939

This project will support children who are yet to receive a diagnosis for their condition, or who have recently been diagnosed. The project will also support families to adjust and develop ways of coping and come to terms with a diagnosis.

Fife Young Carers  £531,721

This project will support young carers to cope with the demands of their school work and their caring role. It will also help them to make positive choices about their futures when they leave school.

The Machan Trust £481,127

This project will provide breakfast clubs and an after school/weekend play and sports activity programmes for children aged five to nine. Families will also benefit from healthy eating workshops.

North Glasgow Housing Association Ltd £857,033

This project, run in partnership with Greater Easterhouse Money Advice Project, will improve financial skills, develop knowledge of key financial products, and provide participants with a personal financial plan. Group sessions will focus on topics such as welfare reform, budgeting, and affordable credit.

Website: www.biglotteryfund.org.uk
Twitter: @BIGScotland #biglf
Facebook: www.facebook.com/BigLotteryFundScotlandGoes to different website