The Banquet multifaith meeting

Today was the Banquet, the multifaith discussion on the issue of what religion has to offer for promoting peace in the community. This was part of the manchester peace week, in which among other things theres a solidarity walk tomorrow in some parts of manchester that have been hit by youth gang violence.

There were short talks by representatives of different religions. The sikh speaker was most inspiring, he spoke with a lot of passion, he said sikhism is a peace loving religion, they have never persecuted people on basis of what you believe, yet sometimes its necessary to act when injustice is being done, if a poor woman is being beaten on street its necessary to defend her etc. So sikhs have historically done that, many centuries ago thousands of sikhs including one of their gurus laid down their lives defending some hindu pandits from religious persecution. He showed the ceremonial dagger all male sikhs are expected to wear, how they face lots of persecution for that, also recently decided not to meet the pope in his visit to US because of this.
The Jewish speaker gave a very well structured and logical talk, spoke of how all jews arent zionists and vice versa, the core teaching of judaism is dont do to others what you dont want to be done to yourself. The muslim speaker spoke about how islam, based on complete surrender to the will of God, is a peace loving religion and what many terrorists do in name of islam isnt supported theologically. The hindu speaker spoke of Gandhi's ahimsa and how whatever happens in life is all for the best, therefore no point of violence. There were no speakers from some other religions such as wicca and buddhism, partly to keep number of speakers manageable so there could be time for discussion. Question-answer session was over food, the food was most delicious curry with both vegetarian and non vegetarian options. All people who came really liked the discussion and the speakers views.

Interfaith Soc meeting this tursday

Hi, Everyone. Next Tuesday is usual curry meal + film. We will be discussing the Banquet which is happening in three weeks. Oh, and why not discuss about Danish Cartoon controversy? Last weeks' discussion about Sharia comment made by the Archbishop of Canterbury was interesting.

James. Can you finalise the time and the room. Plus could you ask Garry to make the poster.
Mo. Can you bring my memory stick and "Everything is Illuminated"
Kevin. Can you make a contact with Hindu speaker.
Enrique. If you are attending, could you bring two special funding request forms.

Cheers.
Yoji

Last week's email

Hi everyone. There will be a meal followed by a documentary film called "The Great Silence" and is about Cartoussian (a Catholic order) monks in the South of France. .

See you

Yoji

Islamic awareness week announcement

Islamic Awareness Week 10 -14th March

In the Famous Hadeeth, Rasool Allah (S) said to the effect:

Facilitate things to people (concerning religious matters) and do not make it hard for them (the unbelivers) and give them good tidings (1:69 Saheeh Bukhari)

As you all know every year the Islamic Society hold an "Islamic Awareness Week" which is a week dedicated to non Muslims intending to relay to them the collect image of Islam to best of our ability. There will be an array of activities and talks designed to educate and enlighten non Muslims about Islam.

Every Prophet (A) informed their people of the truth from God and this event gives all Muslims an opportunity to for fill this Sunnah of the Prophets (A)

nhsf : get involved

Namaste, Calling all members!! Do YOU want to get involved with the organisation of our events? Have you wanted to co-ordinate events such as Sitaare or Omkari, or organize our weekly Football? THIS IS YOUR CHANCE... This week our weekly member's meeting continue... Date: Monday 18th February 2008 Time: 6.00pm Venue: Manchester Met SU, Conference Room 2, 3rd floor The meeting will look at the structure of the society and it's activities. An excellent opportunity to have one-to-one discussions with committee members. Here are some of the areas of the society where you can make a difference... * Football * Netball * Kabaddi/Kho * Dance Workshops * Education * Sewa and Fundraising * Graphics Design * Publications and Articles * Events Management (Omkari/Sitaare) Meetings will continue throughout the semester. Please come along, and join the team. This is your chance to get involved with NHSF and become part of the committee selection process for next year, and will be a great opportunity for you to direct your opinion, comments, suggestions and questions directly to the committee regarding the running of NHSF Manchester so far this year.

Pranaam, NHSF Manchester. t: 07092 258 264 e: manchester@nhsf.org.uk www.manchester.nhsf.org.uk

[mubs] Thursday Sutta Study

Hi everyone. This week, we spent entire one hour focusing on just two twin verses. We are still going through the first Chapter of Dhammapada. We are up to the Verse 8.

Next week's sutta study class is again at St. Peter's Chaplaincy at 5.45 followed by the talk.

The main translation we are using are

http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/kn/dhp/dhp.intro.budd.html
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/kn/dhp/dhp.intro.than.html
http://ccbs.ntu.edu.tw/DBLM/olcourse/pali.htm

Next week is also the last week for the talk program. From the following week, we are shifting the time to 6:30pm so that some of you could finish dinner beforehand.

Yoji

Pints of view

Dear friends
You are warmly invited to Owens Park Bar in Fallowfield next Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. for the start of a new interfaith discussion group. "Pints of View" is based at Owens Park and is intended for residents of OP; however to help us get it started I am inviting all students on our mailing list to come so we can have a group there.
Come along to exercise your brain and add your two cents, as we say in the States.
Peace
Nathan
Join the "Pints of View" group on facebook
http://manchester.facebook.com/group.php?gid=8643424428

SCM this sunday

Hi,
Hope you are all ok
I have been asked to pass this on;
This Sunday Revd Martin Thompson, National Co-ordinator of the Student Christian
Movement, will be preaching at St. Peter's House, his first visit to us. He
will also set up a stand for the coffee hour after worship and I am sure would
welcome help from the local SCM.
Please come and welcome Martin to St. Peter's! The service is at 11 a.m. this
Sunday, 17 Feb. 2008.

There will be lunch afterwards

Hope to see you soon

Holly