Editorial

The theme of this newsletter, kindness, is universal and timeless. It connects us as humans and defines what we consider to be humane. Humanity has preserved the idea of kindness for thousands of years, and it is fundamental to the concept of civilisation. Kindness is part of a continuum extending throughout human history. It is a language everyone understands, reflecting what is genuine and honest.

People may have a religious outlook, but are they truly kind? Kindness is true spirituality, true religion, not the rhetoric of intolerance. The way that people treat animals is also a reflection of their true kindness.

The prayer of Salat speaks of the importance of kindness:

Thy light is in all forms, Thy love in all beings, as a loving mother, as a kind father … as a helpful friend

Here’s a line from Danielle Doby’s poem on the power of small acts of kindness:

When you create a difference in someone's life, you not only impact their life, you impact everyone influenced by them throughout their entire lifetime.

As Hazrat Inayat Khan says:

Everyone gets, sooner or later, what he gives, for the heart knows the condition of the heart.

This issue is a way of honouring the importance of kindness in our lives. I hope that it inspires further acts of kindness in the world!

Yaqin

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