While I was involved in the “Leicester on the Map” consultation yesterday, the Council of Faiths was holding an open-air prayer meeting for the survivors of the earthquake in Haiti. Here’s how it was reported on BBC Leicester's website:
Prayers were given in Leicester on Wednesday 3 February 2010 for the victims of the Haiti earthquake.
Organised by Leicester Council of Faiths, the event aimed to raise awareness of Haiti's continuing struggle to recover.
Representatives from the Bahá'í, Christian, Hindu, Jain, Jewish, Muslim and Sikh communities, gathered in Town Hall Square for the midday prayers.
A collection also took place, to raise funds for the earthquake appeal.
Chair of the Council of Faiths and Deputy Lord Mayor, Manjula Sood highlighted the ongoing issues affecting the people of Haiti and the scale of the natural disaster.
"It was very important for all of us to come together today and to show our solidarity, because Leicester people are very generous.
"When it comes to devastation or suffering they will always come together."
Vice Chair of the Council of Faiths and representative of the Orthodox Jewish community, Tony Nelson agreed that it is crucial Haiti is not forgotten.
"This has been a terrible disaster and it's very easy to say, 'Oh, it's a nine day wonder', but it certainly isn't.
"One only has to look at the television to see the pictures of the ongoing suffering that is still going on and we feel for our fellow human beings."
He continued, "I think raising the awareness so that people from their daily lives here can reflect and consider these terrible things that are happening in other parts of the world is a good thing."
Lord Mayor Cllr Roger Blackmore, who introduced the proceedings, said he thought it was "wonderful" that the city's faith groups had come together for an important cause.
"I've found that very moving and I'm very pleased to have been part of that."
He added that the day was also a chance to think of the people, such as fire-fighters, from Leicester who were directly aiding relief in Haiti.
It is not just direct action that can help the victims of the earthquake.
Sikh representative Resham Singh Sandhu wanted to give a message to the people of Leicestershire;
"This is the best cause or donation anybody could give to those who are really in need."
Manzoor Moghal has written the First Person column in today's Leicester Mercury:
Wrong to blame wrathful God for Haiti earthquake
Incorrect conceptions of the deity inhibit some faiths from explaining natural disasters, says Manzoor Moghal
In the aftermath of the massive Haiti earthquake, people of some faiths have been asking how a loving God could allow the tragic deaths of human beings on such a gargantuan scale, with many of the victims being innocent children. These people, who are confused by this obvious contradiction, ask further as to how could an omnipotent and omniscient God permit such mayhem and misery?
Leaders of these faiths have thrown up their hands as they can offer no explanation and have suggested that the Creator works in mysterious ways which they cannot comprehend. The failure to explain such a heart-wrenching event lies in the mistaken belief that there is a personal God who loves all human beings equally, and that He personally observes and dictates all their actions.
Some other faith leaders ascribe such phenomena to the wrath of God visiting upon a sinful people. They justify the Haiti earthquake on the grounds that the people of Haiti have been punished by a wrathful God for their voodoo practices and devil worship. This argument is also seriously flawed, as it, too, believes in a personal and revengeful God waiting to strike them down for their sins.
If we move away from these concepts and take a dispassionate and scientific view of the world phenomena, we would arrive at more sensible and plausible explanations of such natural calamities. The earth and the rest of our world function according to universal natural laws set into motion by some Supreme Being, whom we call God. In this creation everything is automated and flows continuously, maintaining a natural equilibrium in accordance with these immutable laws. As we know, the earth moves on tectonic plates and it breathes through various volcanic outlets, spewing out molten lava which comes out from its core.
Because of their knowledge, scientists know the seismic locations of the earth, and have drawn up maps indicating places of earthquake activity like Haiti. In many places there are obvious cracks in the earth's surface, like the cracks in California visible to the naked eye.
The earth has a self-regulating and self-correcting mechanism as part of the creation, which gives rise to physical upheavals of different magnitudes at different times, resulting in earthquakes and other natural disasters. Those who live in the proximity of these vulnerable areas are likely to suffer more destruction than those who live away from them. All this happens in accordance with the laws of science, and has nothing to do with the concept of an unfeeling or revengeful God. The Creator also does not interfere in the lives of human beings whom he has given free will to lead their own lives, and therefore it is naïve to expect that He would be looking down from the heavens upon individuals to mould their lives one way or the other.
One of the greatest gifts we have from our Creator is the ability to be logical, and in understanding all natural events we have to apply this yardstick to judge what have been seen as incomprehensible mysteries.
Manzoor Moghal is chairman of the Muslim Forum
This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:
Prayers said in Leicester for Haiti earthquake survivors
Religious leaders gathered in the city centre to conduct a public prayer for survivors of the earthquake in Haiti.
All of the city's major religions joined in to show support for victims of the humanitarian disaster.
They said it was important to show solidarity at a time of crisis.
Prayers were said outside Leicester Town Hall yesterday lunchtime, after which a collection was held to raise money for the Disaster Emergency Committee's Haiti appeal.
The Bishop of Leicester, the Rt Rev Tim Stevens, read a prayer prepared by the Church of England.
Speaking beforehand, he said: "The world understands the scale of the tragedy that has hit Haiti.
"In recent days it has gone off the headlines. We feel a responsibility to pray for Haiti and keep it in people's minds. The faith communities of Leicester represent a global crossroads – global events always touch us here."
The Lord Mayor of Leicester, Councillor Roger Blackmore, joined religious leaders from the Hindu, Islam, Jewish, Sikh, Buddhist, Bahai and Jain faiths who also led prayers.
They were observed by a small crowd of well-wishers.
Ramanbhai Barber, president of the Shree Sanatan Mandir Hindu temple in Belgrave, Leicester, said: "Prayer is important to give strength to those people in Haiti. By all the faiths joining together we can give more strength and keep raising awareness."
The collective prayer was organised by Leicester Council of Faiths.
Chairwoman Councillor Manjula Sood said: "Leicester people are very generous and have always come together to help in times of suffering.
"This devastating disaster has touched everybody's hearts and when things like this happen our prayers and thoughts go out to those people. It is important that people of all faiths show solidarity."
The quality of the photos on the Mercury's website really does leave a lot to be desired though. They look alright in the paper.
The "First Person" column in in the same edition of the Mercury is entitled "Wrong to blame wrathful God for Haiti earthquake", by Manzoor Moghal, Chair of The Muslim Forum and long-standing member of Leicester Council of Faiths.
