WCF works to develop better understanding, co-operation
and respect between people of different faiths
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WCF works to develop better understanding, co-operation and respect between people of different faiths
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Marcus Braybrooke was invited to speak at the Service of Remembrance and Hope, held on August 4Service of Remembrance and HopeAugust 4th. The Al-Khoei Islamic Centre.Thank you for inviting me to speak. Naturally I join the messages of sympathy expressed to the victims, to those who have been injured and shocked and to those who have been bereaved. Once, with other Peace Councillors, including an imam and a rabbi, I visited a remote village in Mexico where some 40 people had been killed by the paramilitary. A mother, five of whose children had been killed, said to us, ‘My suffering is not yet over, but your prayers have given me hope.’ Her priest told us that a couple of days earlier, she had tried to commit suicide. I hope our prayers will give hope to those who suffer.All of our religions condemn violence and teach the way of peace. Much is being said in the media about how Muslims should respond, but the host community also has a responsibility. Some time ago, I asked a woman from Afghanistan who was serving on the check-out, how she liked England. She said, ‘I want to go home, no one speaks to me here.’ We have failed to listen – on both sides. In the sixties, I allowed our church to be used by the local Sikh community, who at the time had to meet for worship in the back room of a pub. I was criticised by many Christians. Slowly, at least officially, Britain has allowed people from other countries to practise their religion and to maintain their culture and the country, I believe, has been enriched by this. There should be no going back on multi-culturalism. But we need to go forward to deepen our sense of being a community of communities. British society has always been made up of many minorities. This is why we need to listen to and learn from each other. In a recent statement by some Jewish, Christian and Muslim thinkers who meet at the Sternberg Centre, we said, ‘We should be able to answer affirmatively the question posed by the other: “Do you know what causes me pain?”’. Too few of the host community understand the pain of many Muslims, especially young people – indeed we do not understand the pain of alienated young people of any faith and colour. Equally, we have not taught the young to listen and respect their elders. Too few of us have invited people of other traditions into our homes. Synagogues, Churches and mosques should all have regular open days for their neighbours. Above all we need to affirm and work for the values that our three religions uphold. We are all shocked by football hooliganism, by binge drinking and much more. Together we need to work and pray for a society in Britain to which we can all be proud to belong and one in which all young people will feel valued and be glad to make their contribution to a better society and a more peaceful world. Rev Dr Marcus Braybrooke, President of the World Congress of Faiths, Co-Founder of the Three Faiths Forum. |
News items First Prayer Congress in Hamburg Imam Abduljalil Sajid represents Britain at the OSCE Conference in Cordoba Pictures and news from the AGM 2005 Violence - an Interfaith perspective Fideology 2004 - a new word is coined - Croydon November 14 Rev Marcus Braybrooke preaches at Westminster Abbey Rev Ruth Scott is cycling to Jerusalem! Internet Discussion Group launched Ivy Gutridge Albert Friedlander The WCF Response to the World Parliament of Religions in Barcelona The First Interfaith Service in Celebration of Animals A New Centre for the Study of Religion AGM 2004 |
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