27 November Interfaith Soc planning meeting

At the interfaith society meeting the topic was the forthcoming Abraham's Table (renamed "The Banquet") on tuesday 4 December from 5 pm onwards. John, Yoji, Kevin, James and others discussed availability of speakers from various faiths (on topic of sexual identity and faith). Oxana has already agreed on Buddhist speaker Enrique, most other faith societies have also been represented. We still dont have a pagan speaker, Kevin's trying to organise one. The Xenophobia quiz has been prepared too. Publicity efforts for the event were also discussed.

NHSF Bhagavad Gita Class

Namaste,

Fascinated by the very base of Hinduism? Do you want to know more about the culture which has brought us many amazing features of everyday life, which we all use without a second thought? This week Dinabandhu Dasji, a Hare Krishna monk for many years presents an immense introductory course on the Bhagavad Gita, a course that is sure to leave you walking away speechless. Come and see for yourself what the fuss is all about.

Dates: Monday 26th Nov -Friday 30th Nov

26th - 29th November
Venue: Geoffrey Manton Building
Manchester Metropolitan University
Room 307

30th November
Venue: Sandra Bursulem Building
Manchester Metropolitan University
Room G.08

Time: 6pm - 8pm everyday
Cost: FREE!

There will be a free vegetarian meal after every workshop so make sure you take up this opportunity for a wealth of food and knowledge. If you are interested in attending the course, please email us at manchester@nhsf.org.uk with the subject title 'Bhagavad Gita Courses'.

Check out our website for details - www.manchester.nhsf.org.uk!

Pranaam,

NHSF Manchester.
www.manchester.nhsf.org.uk

Buddhist society activities

Dear members,

1. Meditation Class will take place as usual tomorrow, Monday, 19 November, at 6 pm, at Schunck room, on the first floor of Burlington Rooms. Burlington Rooms are above the Vegetarian Cafe, on your right hand side if you stand facing John Ryland's Library (the main Library of the University), in Burlington Street.

As usual, you are encouraged to report to Chris, our meditation teacher, after we practice as a group.

Tea and biscuits will be provided as usual.

2. Engaged Buddhism

Tree Responsibility is an organisation who have a grant to plant lots of trees on the edge of the Peak district between Lancashire and Yorkshire. The plot where we're planting is in the Upper Calder valleys near to Walsden village. For the planting you get ten minutes going over how to plant the trees (we have over 2000) and then it takes about 10 more minutes to get the hang of it. You can sweat a bit but its quite easy and some kids will be doing it. A great motivation is that there are trees
planted from 6 years ago and they're all 8 foot tall now. Its also free, though a 2 pound donation will get you lunch, and you might want some wellies if its raining a lot. We'll be leaving on the 9.09am train from Manchester Victoria Station Sunday morning and it's 34 minutes away.

Contact Info Phone: 07910847281
Email: admormech@yahoo.co.uk

Facebook event:
http://manchester.facebook.com/event.php?eid=7098618487

Thank you,
Yours truly,
Oxana (Olga Owl on facebook)

Buddhist Society website: http://www.umsu.manchester.ac.uk/mubs
Group on facebook: Manchester University Buddhist Society
http://manchester.facebook.com/group.php?gid=47337627 88

SCM meeting: on Poverty

Poverty in Manchester

This week Paul Wenham, manager of the mustard tree charity for homeless
people in Manchester, is leading a workshop on poverty in Manchester.

Come along to find out more about the problems around poverty in Manchester, and to find out how you can help.

Thursday, 7.30pm, St. Peter's House Chaplaincy (opposite blackwell's bookshop). Come along at 6.30pm for a free meal.

God bless,

David

Sikhi Week - Manchester's Biggest Ever!!

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh

This year things just keep getting bigger and bigger, first the Langar event in which over 1000 people were fed, and now an Akhand Paath for Sikhi Week in which potentially even more will be fed.

For those of you who don't know what an Akhand Paath is, take a look at http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php?title=Akhand_Paath

As you can imagine, given the scale of an Akhand Paath, there will be a great deal of seva involved. This is a great opportunity for you to get involved . There are many different things to be done, from cooking (skilled labour) to serving to cleaning. Of course if you haven't got much time then at least come down for the 'eating' (highly skilled labour). Saturday will be a particularly busy day, and therefore there will be lots to be done. Just ask one of the committee members and they will tell you what needs doing.

There will be a talk at the Gurdwara on Thursday Evening, which will cover a diverse range of issues related to equality, for example gender equality, race equality, social equality and, as the title suggests, caste equality. The speaker for this talk will be Harwinder Singh of the highly acclaimed Sikh Education Council UK. His talks in the past have been very well received and we anticipate the same for this one also. We have set the time of the talk nice and early, so those who may have certain thursday night engagements should be back in time. A talk not to be missed!

There will of course be Kirtan on all 3 days, in the evening on thursday and friday, and in the morning/afternoon on saturday. There will be opportunities for you to do Kirtan on friday evening and saturday morning. When you arrive just tell one of the committee members and they will organise that for you.

We will be taking students from Piccadilly Gardens on all 3 days. For those coming at different times of the day, or those who wish to make their own way there, directions to Sri Guru Harkrishan Sahib Gurdwara are enclosed.

The program is as follows:

Thursday 22nd November

7am - Arambh of Akhand Paath

5:30pm - Meet at Piccadilly Gardens to be taken to Gurdwara

6:30pm - Talk entitled 'Caste it out of Sikhi'

Friday 23rd November

Continuation of Akhand Paath all day

5:30pm - Meet at Piccadilly Gardens to be taken to Gurdwara

Saturday 24th November

7am - Bhog of Akhand Paath

Followed by Kirtan, Nishan Sahib Sewa and Langar (This will go on into the afternoon)

11am - Meet at Piccadilly Gardens to be taken to Gurdwara

12pm - Charity Car Wash in Aid of 'ASR Charitable Trust' ( http://www.asrcharitabletrust.com )

If you are getting late when coming to Piccadilly Gardens, just give us a ring on 07930 120 580 (Daaneshwar) or 07969 108 929 (Sarvinder) and we may be able to accomodate you.

We hope to see you there all 3 days (the food will be different everyday)!!

Manchester Universities Sikh Society

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh

--

"Maans Ki Jath Sabhai Ekai Pahihchanbo"

Recognise the whole Human Race as one

- Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaaj (Akaal Ustat)

Bahai tranquility zone

In today's interfaith society meeting, Simon organised a bahai tranquility zone with the help of 3 other friends. There were only about 6 or 7 people. A very beautiful shrine of candles etc was prepared, everyone sat around it and read out scriptures of different faiths, or simply relaxed in the spiritual atmosphere.

Interfaith Soc: next Tuesday

Simon is conducting Tranquility Zone session of Baha'i faith next Tuesday, 5.30.

We are also planing to visit a prayer event (Hope 2008 in Greater Manchester) held at Manchester Cathedral at 7.30.

Here is the the link to the event.

http://www.bigdeal.org.uk/Group/Group.aspx?id=44547

Cheers.

Omkari 2007

Namaste,

OMKARI 2007!!

Check out the details at www.manchester.nhsf.org.uk!

NHSF Manchester's most prestigious royal ball is here!! So fasten your seatbelts and join us in what promises to be a spectacular night of entertainment, dinner and dance!

THIS IS YOUR LAST CHANCE TO GET TICKETS!

Final Ticket Sales...
Monday 19th November:
- 12.00pm to 1.00pm

- University of Manchester Students Union

- 5.00pm to 5.30pm

- Owens Park Reception

- Wilmslow Park Reception




Tuesday 20th November:

- 12.00pm to 1.00pm

- University of Manchester Students Union

- 5.00pm to 5.30pm

- Owens Park Reception

- Wilmslow Park Reception



Tickets on the door...

There will be a small quantity of tickets available on the door - but make sure you get there sharp at 6.30pm to buy them. Tickets will be sold on a strictly first come first served basis.

All members must show their membership cards to get members rates on tickets. NO SEATS RESERVED WITHOUT FULL PAYMENT.


Members: £23

Non-Members: £25


Contact 07092 258 264, email us at manchester@nhsf.org.uk, or check our website for more details.

Pranaam from,


NHSF Manchester.
www.manchester.nhsf.org.uk

North Sikhi Week

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh!

Hi all,
Well it is November and it's that time of year again, yep North Sikhi Week has descended upon us. Its always well attended and received. The events that are taking place are detailed below. If you are interested in coming to any of the events, please get in contact with us(phone number below).

This year its extra special for us as we are hosting an Akhand Paath at Sherbourne Street Gurdwara.
You can find out more about Akhand Paaths: ( http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Akhand_Paath)

As an Akhand Paath is such a big event for us, we are going to need YOUR help in the Seva. If you are free to do any seva during the 48 hours of the event, please get in contact with us. We've got a lot of different types of Seva that you can get involved in such as preparing the langar, giving out prashaad, feed visitors etc. We will also be hosting a talk on Thurday about Sikhi and it's based on the concept of equality.

Monday 19th November

Time: 6.30pm
Place: Roger Stevens Building, LT5, Leeds University
Event: Sikh Women and Sacrifice

Tuesday 20th November

Time: 6.30pm
Place: Arts Tower, LT1, Sheffield University
Event: Ardaas and Exhibition

Wednesday 21st November

Time: 6.30pm
Place: Hub training room, The Guild, Liverpool University
Event: Life after Death


Thursday 22nd November

Time: 7am (Yes we mean 7 in the morning)
Place: Sri Guru Harkrishan Sahib Ji Gurdwara, Sherbourne Street, Manchester
Event: Arambh of Akhand Path


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Time: 6.30pm
Place: Sri Guru Harkrishan Sahib Ji Gurdwara, Sherbourne Street, Manchester
Event: 'Caste it out of Sikhi' Talk


Friday 23rd November

Time: 12AM to 11.59PM
Place: Sri Guru Harkrishan Sahib Ji Gurdwara, Sherbourne Street, Manchester
Event: Continuation of Akhand Path

Saturday 24th November

Time: 7AM
Place: Guru Harkrishan Sahib Ji Gurdwara, Sherbourne Street, Manchester
Event: Bhog of Akhand Path


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Time: 12PM
Place: Guru Harkrishan Sahib Ji Gurdwara, Sherbourne Street, Manchester
Event: Charity Car Wash


If you are interested in going to ANY event or helping out at the Akhand Paath, please contact: Daaneshwar (07930120580)




Hope to see you all soon….

Manchester Universities Sikh Society

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh!

--
"Maans Ki Jath Sabhai Ekai Pahihchanbo"
Recognise the whole Human Race as one

- Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaaj (Akaal Ustat)

Muslim week

UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER ISLAMIC SOCIETY
Presents...
::MUSLIM WEEK::
A STEP CLOSER TO PARADISE...
26th - 30th NOVEMBER

A Week of Events
Talks
Exhibitions
Socials
Dinner
Entertainment



Monday 26th November

Talk: Sahabah - A Forgotten Nation
Speaker: Othman Latif
Time: 5:30pm
Venue: Roscoe Theatre A


Tuesday 27th November

Talk: Trials & Tribulations
Speaker: Omar (Tate) Abdullah
Time: 5:30pm
Venue: Roscoe Theatre B


Wednesday 28th November

Brother's Social: One Day Football Tournament
Time: 1:00pm
Venue: Pitz - Power League, Ardwick
(£20 PER TEAM. LIMITED SPACES, REGISTER YOUR TEAM NOW: 07976387672, MARCOMAN53@HOTMAIL.COM)

Sister's Social: Bowling
Time: 1:00pm
Venue: Meet at Mc Dougals (south campus prayer room)


Thursday 29th November

Talk: Who Are You?
Speaker: Ilyas Karmani
Time: 5:30pm
Venue: Roscoe Theatre B


Friday 30th November

Dinner: Time for Change...
(inc. Talk & Entertainment)
Speaker: Yusuf Chambers
Time: 5:30pm (Arrival time)
Venue: Sanams Restaurant
£10
BUY YOUR TICKETS FROM ANY COMMITTEE MEMBER OR CONTACT BELOW...

07730517492
OTHMAN@MANCHESTERISOC.COM
NOOR@MANCHESTERISOC.COM
WWW.MANCHESTERISOC.COM


Wassalaam
Your Islamic Society

SCM social (ceilidh) and weekend away

Hello,

This week is SCM's termly social event, which means 2 things. Firstly, we'll be going to Manchester Ceilidh (Gaelic folk dancing) tomorrow evening, 14th November, Jabez Clegg, opposite Manchester Uni union. We'll be around from 8.30pm, text me on 07784118640 if you'd like to come.

Please note that this means there will be no meeting or meal on Thursday evening.

Secondly, this weekend is National SCM's termly gathering in Mumbles, Swansea. It costs just £12 for food and accomodation, and the minibus will cost around £20. There are still 7 places available, so email me if you'd like to come. The minibus is leaving at 2pm (sharp) from St. Peter's House Chaplaincy on Friday 16th November and will be back sometime on Sunday evening. Text me or email me if you haven't yet booked your place and would like to come.

God bless,

David

Slavery, activism and hermitude

The topic of today's scripture study and discussion was approaches to slavery from different religions, and also about the emphasis on being a hermit Vs activism in different religions. Yoji, myself, John, James, Claire (who led the session), Mo, Kevin, and Shimon were present. In slavery we discussed transatlantic slavery, untouchability, catholic and protestant missions, Bahai scriptures on slavery etc. As for the issue of activism Vs seclusion, the consensus was that it is sometimes necessary for spiritual growth, but the emphasis varies between different religions.

Ko Do Ryu Zen non violent Karate

At interfaith Soc on Tuesday 6 Oct, Oxana gave a talk on Zen non violent Karate, and some demonstrations by Oxana and Elliot, both black belts in the tradition.

She did pushing hands practice with a partner, walking practice while keeping hands in contact, on one foot always the weight is shifted, since hands in contact so if one moves away the other anticipates, and if one pushes the other yields) and the kata or form (including Rakusu and another series of postures or choreography).

Oxana said how this practice helps of conquer fear, walk with centre and balance and increase self confidence, spoke about taoism links, about the silk or point of contact with other person, about how one can make fast progress to Black Belt level in 3 years or less in this style. The practice is free, on every thursday 6 pm in Arts building.

Oct 30: Interfaith Planning meeting

Interfaith Student Society meeting held on October 30, 2007.

Presence: Oxana, Joy, Kevin, Mo, Yoji, Hana, John, James Grant, Justin (Young Greens)

Shohel

Apology: Clare Dowding

The following decisions were made for Abraham’s Table (the name being currently brainstormed for renaming)

Date: 4th December 2007

Time: 5.00pm

Venue: no discussion took place, yet to be decided. (Traditional venue has been St. Peter’s House, this may change)

Theme: ‘Sexual identity and faith’

Publicity and design: The poster would be designed by Mo.John would print and prepare it. James, Hana, Sohel and Kevin would distribute them. John would also help in this. Faith Reference Group, Interfaith Society and the Young Greens will be mentioned on the poster.

Content and format of the event:

The evening will start with the historic signing up event by the Chaplains and faith advisers of all the faiths @ the university of a common ground statement.

Discussion will follow by the speakers from the faith groups listed below and the person responsible for contacting them is noted next to it. (If there are 2 schools of thought with in the same faith group on the issue, it is encouraged that both thoughts be represented at the discussion. It was also discussed that it would be great if the speakers are students but this is not compulsory in case of difficulty in finding a student speaker). The length of each talk should be kept to 3 minutes

Hana will draft the letter to the Faith Societies or representatives outlining the possible scope of topics to be covered in the talks. Each speaker is to choose one aspect to cover, they do not have to talk about everything:

* Sexual and loving relationships
* Sexual identities such as homosexual, transsexual, bisexual
* Sensuality and spirituality
* Sexual identity as part of coming of age and rites of passage



Hindu – John will contact them

Muslim- Hannah Agil

Buddhist –Oxana

Christianity- James Grant

Jewish –Hana Agil

Bahai –Mo

Sikh –John

Pagans and Humanists (if possible) –Kevin Gilbride

The discussion would be moderated by Hana Agil.

Following the discussions, the participants will be asked to form small groups during the sharing of food. The Young Greens will lead a quiz on Xenophobia during this time. The quiz will be coordinated by Justin. Participants will be given a chance to have their food first, then form groups. The quiz will then be carried out in a manner of a pub quiz. The teams will pick their names and the questions will be shouted out.

Justin will draft the letter to the Faith Societies or representatives asking them to provide 5 questions about their faith. Some questions would be easy and open-ended, for others, more difficult, Societies would provide multi-choice answers. This letter will be attached to the letter that Hana will have drafted.

You can see the pictures at http://picasaweb.google.com/joyboseroy/InterfaithSociety

After the meeting we took photos and watched a film organised by Yoji titled "Monsieur Ibrahim et les fleurs du Coran (Mr Ibrahim and the Flowr of Koran").
Here is a synopsis of the film

"In a street called Blue in a very poor neighborhood in Paris, Monsieur Ibrahim (Omar Shariff) is an old Muslin Turkish owner of a small market. He becomes friend of the teenager Jewish Moises, tenderly nicknamed Momo (Pierre Boulanger), who lives with his father in a small apartment on the other side of the street. Monsieur Ibrahim gives paternal love and teaches the knowledge of the Koran to the boy, receiving in return love and respect."