HUNDREDS CELEBRATE BIRTH OF THE PROPHET

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Hundreds celebrate birth of the Prophet

Nearly 2,000 Muslims took part in a procession to celebrate the birthday of the Prophet Mohammad.

The Milad Un-Nabi celebration took place in Leicester on Sunday.

The procession started with prayers at the Islamic Centre in St Peter's Road and followed a long route through the city, despite persistent snow, to the Central Mosque, in Conduit Street. It was followed by a meal for 3,000 people.

Organiser Mustafa Malik Salim said: "It was a very peaceful procession with between 1,500 and 2,000 people.

"The procession was held on the Sunday nearest the birthday, on Thursday."

Malik Salim, chairman of the committee in charge of the Islamic Centre and Central Mosque, said: "After the procession, 3,000 people sat down to a meal.

"It was a joyful and peaceful event."

HUNDREDS IN US FILM PROTEST

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

 

Hundreds in US film protest

Hundreds of Muslims took to the streets of Leicester yesterday to protest at a controversial American film.

Roads were closed off as the protestors congregated outside the Central Mosque, in Conduit Street, at 2.30pm, to complain about the amateur film Innocence of Muslims.

The 400 protestors, many carrying placards, listened to imams from mosques throughout the city condemn the film at the peaceful 30-minute outdoor meeting.

The film denigrating the Prophet Mohammed has sparked unrest in many parts of the Muslim world over the past 10 days, and the deaths of at least 33 people, including the US ambassador to Libya, have been linked to the violence.

Much of the anger has been directed at the US government, even though the film was privately produced in the US and American officials have criticised it for insulting Muslims.

At yesterday's Leicester protest, Mahommed Machar, 24, of Evington, said: "I felt it was important for me to be here.

"I have come down to register my protest against this film and its message. The film is abusing the freedom of speech, not upholding it."

Mohammed Ayub, 43, of Evington, said it was vital to get across the message about non-violence.

He said: "This is the way to protest, not to resort to violence. You can tell by the numbers of people here today, the strength of feeling about this film here in the city of Leicester."

Maulana Shahid Raza OBE, head imam of the Islamic Centre, said the film had caused global unrest in the Muslim world.

He said: "The film is the worst possible violation of freedom of expression.

"We firmly believe that Prophet Mohammed always taught and practiced peace and tolerance and throughout his life he always upheld universal human values.

"To depict him as a violent extremist is disgusting and reprehensible.

"Muslims consider it a gross insult to the Prophet and we call upon all faith leaders to condemn this unjustified action and show their solidarity with the Muslim world in respect of safeguarding the honour and sanctity of all faiths and their founders."

Malik M Salim MBE, chairman of the Islamic Centre, appealed to the Muslim community to remain calm.

He said: "We would like to record the protest and wish to communicate to those extremists that the hatred of Islam through such movies would not harm the great personality of the Prophet or any aspect of Islam, but would only backfire on the people who spread venomous ideas."

Inspector Chris Cockerill, responsible for policing the event, said the protest had passed off peacefully.

He said: "We work closely with the Central Mosque and have done so concerning this event.

"It is part of our duty to ensure that people can take part in a peaceful protest and that is what we had here in Leicester."

Once the meeting was over, the road blocks were lifted.

Faiths Trail

Today we're making our contribution to English Heritage's open weekend, called - for our part of the world - "Discover Leicester". This is one of a small number of annual events which is helping earn the Council of Faiths a positive reputation.

I'm only able to join in at lunchtime, as I've taken Harry out to sing in the choir at St Thomas this morning. We meet Clare and Gracie outside Guru Amar Das Gurdwara in Clarendon Park Road (that's them dressed the part, in the photo above). We're there about half an hour before the coach with everyone else turns up.

We've tried to squeeze in too many visits in previous years, so this time we've cut it down from five stops to three. First was the Jain Centre, then the Central Mosque, ending up at Guru Amar Das Gurdwara for the final visit, that includes lunch.

There are 25 people on the trail, including the Lord Mayor of Leicester, Cllr Colin Hall, and his Secular Humanist Chaplain, Dr Allan Hayes. We're grateful to Ajay, the Co-ordinator at the Council of Faiths, for organising this event.

You can see photos of today's Faiths Trail on our Flickr photostream:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/leicestercounciloffaiths/sets/72157624825007277/

2009's TOP 10: 5

Faiths Trail,

Sunday 13 September 2009

This has become a regular fixture in the Council of Faiths calendar over the past few years, organised in conjunction with English Heritage as part of their programme of open days during this week. I got to go on the first one of these tours (it was called a "Peace Pilgrimage" then) after I took up my post in 2007, but missed last year's excursion, so I was pleased to be able to take part this time.

Our party of 25, from a variety of backgrounds and interests (and some from outside Leicester or Leicestershire) convened at Pilgrim House at 0930. We had a few words of welcome and introduction from Minou Cortazzi (Chair of the Council of Faiths), Cllr Manjula Sood (Deputy Lord Mayor and trustee of the Council of Faiths) and Resham Singh Sandhu (Chairman of the Sikh Welfare and Cultural Society and former Chair of the Council of Faiths). Our coach left Town Hall Square shortly before 10 o'clock. First stop was the Jain Centre, Oxford Street (pictured above), where we were joined by the Lord Mayor of Leicester and the Lady Mayoress. From there we proceeded to Shree Jalaram Prarthana Mandal, Narborough Road; then to Guru Amar Das Gurdwara, Clarendon Park Road, where we were treated to lunch (and where the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress had to take their leave of us). After lunch we went to the Orthodox Synagogue, Highfields Street; then to the Central Mosque, Conduit Street; and finally, St Philip's Parish Church, Evington Road. As we approached each place of worship, we handed out copies of the relevant leaflet to everyone on the coach, so they'd have a chance to read something about each faith community before each stop on the tour.

Everyone was impressed by the hospitable reception at the various places of worship. Arrangements for the day were made by Ajay Aggarwal, Co-Ordinator at Leicester Council of Faiths.

LEICESTER MOSQUE SERVES UP A TREAT FOR HOMELESS

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Leicester mosque serves up a treat for homeless

About 70 homeless people, refugees and asylum seekers were provided with support, advice and a hot meal at Leicester Central Mosque.

The Conduit Street building held an open day this week as part of national Islam Awareness Week.

The annual campaign aims to raise awareness of issues in the community which affect people of any religion.

In previous years it has included climate change and childcare.

On Monday people seeking shelter were invited into the mosque for free guidance by charities including City of Sanctuary and Refugee Action.

Hot meals were dished up by the Pakistan Youth And Community Association.

Visitors were also provided with bags of fresh fruit and vegetables and toiletries to take away.

Islam Awareness Week is run by the Islamic Society of Britain and coordinated in Leicester by volunteer Sughra Ahmed.

She said: "It has been about people of faith and non-faith collaborating to provide a service for those in need."

Other events taking place have included a ladies' fundraising meal for Rainbows.

ISLAM WEEK AIMS TO RAISE AWARENESS

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Islam week aims to raise awareness

People from different backgrounds are being encouraged to get to know each other and celebrate what they have in common this week.

Today marks the start of Islam Awareness Week, which aims to improve community relations and raise money for charity. It is also the first ever Inter Faith Week in England.

Sughra Ahmed, co-ordinator of the week's activities in Leicester, said: "It's really important that we understand each other better, but most importantly that we put our words into practice – we have to go beyond talk and actually do things to make our city better."

From 11am to 3pm today at Leicester Central Mosque, in Conduit Street, food and shelter will be offered to asylum seekers and homeless people.

Fundraising events are planned and Canadian musician Dawud Wharnsby will perform at city schools.

Muslim women are encouraged to take part in an initiative called Dine at Mine and take non-Muslim friends out for an evening of traditional food and fun.