The Inter-Faith Golden Rule:
“Try to understand the other’s faith as you would like your faith to be understood.”
Dear Friends,
Edinburgh Inter-Faith Association
The Edinburgh Inter-Faith Association with the support of the Scottish Government and the city of Edinburgh Council warmly welcome you to our programme of events, concerts, dialogues and encounters to celebrate Interfaith Week 2012.
This is one of our most varied and diverse programmes yet and we thank everyone who has helped to bring this together. The theme of Scottish Interfaith Week 2012 is Celebration and we believe that this is reflected in our programme. “Celebration is a kind of food we all need in our lives, and each individual brings a special recipe or offering, so that together we will make a great feast. Celebration is a human need that we must not, and can not, deny. It is richer and fuller when many work and then celebrate together.” Corita Kent and Jan Steward
In order to build an harmonious and peaceful society it is essential that we learn to greater understand and respect one another. We hope that our programme of celebration encourages you to make your offering, to build friendships across communities and through doing so feel richer and fuller for having done so. Edinburgh Inter-Faith Association
Rev Donald Reid Co-Conveners of EIFA 3
Sunday 25th of November 4.30pm – 5.30pm
Launch of Inter-Faith Week programme Welcome by the convenor of Edinburgh Inter-Faith Association. Outline of Inter-Faith Week Programme. Presentation to Victor Spence, former General Secretary of EIFA followed by an introduction from the new EIFA General Secretary, Iain Stewart. Interspersed with a multi-faith/ cultural entertainment programme. Venue: St Johns, Princes Street (Lothian Road)
5.45pm -6.45pm: Social gathering after event A chance to network, learn more about Edinburgh Inter-Faith Association and the programme for the week, what happens behind the scenes and meet some new friends.
Monday 26th November 6.00pm – 7.00pm
Inter-Faith Week Community Meal
Come and join us for a ‘taster’ of our monthly Community Meal during Inter-Faith week. The Edinburgh Inter-Faith Association hosts a Community Meal in the Church Hall of St John’s Church, Princes Street on the first Monday of every month. Come and meet old and new friends. All food is vegetarian and there is a vegan option by request. Venue: Church Hall, St John’s Church, Princes Street (Lothian Road)
Venue St Johns, Princes Street (Lothian Road) 5
Monday 26th November 7.00pm - 8.00pm
Tuesday 27th November 7.30pm
Islam’s influence on Judaism
Locanda da De Gusti restaurant evening Events for World AIDS Day 2012 Cost: ÂŁ25
A lecture by Rabbi Mark Solomon with a response from Christian and Muslim representatives. Mark Solomon is Rabbi of the Edinburgh and Manchester Liberal Jewish Communities, Associate Chair of the Rabbinic Board of Liberal Judaism and Interfaith Consultant for Liberal Judaism.
In recognition of World AIDs Day, Locanda De Gusti invites you to an evening of sumptuous Italian food and musical entertainment from celebrated LGBT choir, Loud & Proud in aid of Waverley Care. Hosted by: Waverley Care Location: Locanda De Gusti Restaurant, Broughton Street, Edinburgh
For more information or for tickets contact the Waverley Care Fundraising Team on 0131 556 9710. Venue: Martin Hall, New College (University of Edinburgh), the Mound
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For further information on World Aids Day Events contact: HIV Scotland, Suite 2, 27 Beaverhall Road, Edinburgh. EH7 4JE Telephone: +44(0)131 558 3713.
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Wednesday 28th November 7.00pm – 8.00pm
Thursday 29th November 7.00pm
Civic Café- One Last Request
Tinderbox Orchestra Performance
At the end of our lives we would all like to think that our dying wishes are followed through. Whether we would want to be cremated, buried or our ashes scattered according to our tradition. At present next of kin have rights to decide what happens to the body of a loved one when they pass away. Is this right? What happens when their beliefs conflict?
Venue: St Andrews & St Georges West, Shandwick Place. – By Invitation Only –
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Venue: Wester Hailes Education Centre, 5 Murrayburn Drive, Edinburgh. Telephone: 0131 442 2201 December 15th Tinderbox Festival Venue: Roxy Art House Edinburgh, 2 Roxburgh Place, Old Town The Tinderbox Project’s vision is a cultural landscape in which young people have a place and a voice, and where their views, experiences and ideas are listened to and valued by society. Music and the arts are used to achieve positive social change and create far-reaching and accessible opportunities for young people. The Tinderbox arts festival brings together people from different backgrounds and communities, in which they all collaborate in creating a really exciting event. During the Festival on December 15th there will be a collaborative exhibition with workshops including: Beyond the Vale - Arts and crafts workshops with Muslim boys aged 10-13, Kaimes School: Sikh Sanjog/ Wester Hailes Arts Learning and Eduction (WHALE) centre/other groups. For further details contact: Jack Nissan Creative Director jack@tinderboxproject.co.uk 9
Friday 30th November 10.00am – 11.00am
Friday 30th November – Sunday 2nd December
Freedom to Practice Religion
Three Faiths, Three Friends, Three Encounters
A conversation between Ewan Aitken (Church of Scotland Minister and City Councillor) and Ravinder Nijjar (Scottish Sikh Women’s Association, the Co-Chair of Religions for Peace European Women of Faith Network) on how far religious freedoms should extend. The discussion follows on from recent debates surrounding religious groups’ rights to maintain traditional practices such as carrying and wearing symbols/ articles of clothing central to their faith (e.g. kirpan, hijab, crucifix).
Venue: St Marks Unitarian Church, Castle Terrace, Edinburgh
The Edinburgh Inter-Faith Association and the ‘Three Faiths Forum’ Edinburgh welcome people to a unique three day programme of dialogue whereby we welcome faith teachers from three of the Abrahamic traditions to one anothers’ services of worship. One of the event organizers Bashir Malik said, “We must show respect for each other from the core of our hearts, and these visits of each other’s place of worship is the best way to express our respect and commitment to contributing to achieving peace and harmony within our communities.” The programme will see representatives visit Blackhall Mosque on the Friday, Edinburgh Jewish Synagogue on the Saturday and Mayfield Salisbury Church on the Sunday. For further details please contact: Reverend Ian Gilmour at ianyg2@gmail.com
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Saturday 1st December 2pm – 3.15pm Edinburgh Inter-Faith Association presents:
Bollywood Dreams We are very proud in presenting one of the UK’s best ‘upcoming Bollywood singers’, Scotland’s very own talent, SAJ SABRI. This young artist has been performing in front of large audiences since the age of 12. His awe-inspiring melodious voice has entertained hundreds of audiences for over a decade, and we are fortunate to have him perform for us at this very special and unique Interfaith event.
Sunday 2nd December 2.00pm – 4.00pm
Meet Your Bahá’i Neighbour The Bahá’i Community invite you to come and experience Bahá’i worship, hear a short introduction to the Bahá’i faith with the opportunity for questions then we are further invited to enjoy light refreshments.
The Sweet Sounds of Saj Sabri Come along and enjoy an afternoon of LIVE bollywood musicals, and be prepared to be moved and inspired as you are transported through the wonderful world of Bollywood. £8 (£6) St John’s Church, Princess Street. Tickets on the door. £1 from every ticket sold will go to Mary’s Meals. 12
Venue: The Edinburgh Baha’i Centre 44 Albany Street, EH1 3QR 13
Sunday 2nd December 6.30pm – 8.30pm
The Labyrinth
Sunday 2nd December at 7.00pm by donation
The Big Inter-Faith Quiz St Marks Unitarian Church , Castle Terrace
Polwarth Parish Church warmly invites you to celebrate Scottish Inter-Faith Week with a pot-luck supper and an introduction to The Labyrinth. Bring food to share (tea, coffee and juice provided). • Meet local people of other faiths •
Following the success of last year’s Big Inter-Faith Quiz, we invite you to flex your grey matter once again and show us how much you know about the world’s great faith traditions. Remember, the more religiously diverse your team is, the greater chance you have of being crowned Big Inter-Faith Quiz Champions! Tea, coffee and delicious kosher cakes will be served.
• Experience the labyrinth as meditation, prayer and pilgrimage •
For more information or to enter as an individual team, please contact:
To RSVP or for further details please contact: layassistant@polwarth.org.uk Venue: Polwarth Parish Church, 3 6-38 Polwarth Terrace, Edinburgh, EH11 1LU
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Iain Stewart on 01312297565 or at iain@eifa.org.uk You can enter as an individual and be assigned to a team on the night or enter a team.
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Saturday, 8 December 2.00pm – 4.00pm
Advent World Religions Study Programme
Edinburgh Inter-Faith Association is delighted to support the advent study programme at St James Church, Portobello which will see speakers from four different faith traditions deliver an introduction to their faith followed by small group discussion. Venue: St James Church, Portobello
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What does it mean to be a woman? A Celebration of Strength and Sisterhood A women-only safe space for sharing our thoughts on power (positive and negative) in our lives, our relationships, our faith communities. How do we support one another, grieve our losses, come together in times of crisis, and celebrate our triumphs? We imagine the answers will be as varied as the women who give them. In partnership with Edinburgh Inter-Faith Association, Edinburgh Women’s Interfaith Group and Scottish Women’s Aid, this event takes place within the international campaign, 16 days of Activism Against Gender Violence aiming to strengthen networks of women working towards justice in their communities. Space is limited. Please RSVP by December 3 to: Julia Cato at julia@eifa.org.uk Venue: To be confirmed.
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Date: Sunday 9th of December 11.00am – 5.30pm The Beauty and the Word: Islamic Calligraphy workshop with Jawdat Kadhim (£20) Jawdat Kadhim Kaiby taught Arabic calligraphy in Iraq for thirteen years at the Basra Fine Art Institute and was the head of his department for four years. He also served three years as head of the Basra Arabic Calligraphy Society. Jawdat moved to Scotland in 2008 and has led calligraphy workshops at the University of Glasgow’s Hunterian Museum and the prestigious Burrell Collection. In this day-long workshop, students will be introduced to three different calligraphic styles and will have the chance to try their hand at this traditional and celebrated art of the Islamic World. All necessary materials will be provided. No previous experience necessary. For more information and to book your place, please visit www.alwaleed.ed.ac.uk and follow the “Calligraphy Workshop” link. If you have any questions please contact the Alwaleed Centre: thealwaleedcentre@ed.ac.uk. 18
Venue: Department of Islamic & Middle Eastern Studies, University of Edinburgh, 19 George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9LD.
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Saturday 1st December 2pm – 3.15pm Edinburgh Inter-Faith Association presents
Bollywood Dreams The Sweet Sounds of Saj Sabri
Be prepared to be moved and inspired as you are transported through the wonderful world of Bollywood. £8 (£6) St John’s Church, Princes Street. Tickets on the door. £1 from every ticket sold will go to Mary’s Meals.