LEICESTERSHIRE INTERFAITH FORUM STATEMENT RE WOOLWICH INCIDENT

As you can imagine, faithful reader, many comments and statements will be made regarding the incident in Woolwich, Wednesday 22 May 2013. I'm posting a selection of these on the blog, limited to relevant organisations with which Leicester Council of Faiths is involved to some extent. Below is a statement by Leicestershire Interfaith Forum, issued today in the names of the Chair, Mr Suleman Nagdi, and Vice Chair, Mr Resham Singh Sandhu:

The Leicestershire Interfaith Forum join with people across the country and world in condemning in the strongest possible terms the atrocity that took place on the streets of Woolwich yesterday. The Forum also calls for calm and peace on the streets of our city and county and for people to remember the murdered victim and to offer thoughts and prayers to his family at this sad time.

The Chair of the Interfaith Forum, Mr Suleman Nagdi stated that he was "immensely saddened at the tragic curtailing of a life spent in service of this country". Mr Nagdi also stated the following: "I am truly shocked at the fact that this tragedy happened in daylight on a street in my country and to a fellow citizen. I am also numb and outraged that two people intent on violence have 'hijacked' my faith to such an end. This is a complete distortion of the true meaning of Islam. It betrays all Muslims who have peace and compassion in their hearts and particularly those in our Muslim communities across the UK who serve our nation in the armed forces and indeed in all areas of life".

The Vice-Chair of the Leicestershire Interfaith Forum, Mr Resham Singh Sandhu wholeheartedly endorsed Mr Nagdi's comments, calling for people of all faiths and none to ensure that the hatred behind the murder was not in any way reciprocated or continued in its aftermath.

Mr Nagdi and Mr Singh Sandhu were united in their conviction that peace and harmony must prevail, that people saw the true meaning of Islam and of all faiths as messages of peace, goodwill, cooperation and friendship across our communities. The Interfaith Forum stands as an embodiment of this commitment and will continue to work to bring people of all faiths and none together for the common good.

Mr Suleman Nagdi (Chair of the Leicestershire Interfaith Forum)Mr Resham Singh Sandhu (Vice Chair of the Leicestershire Interfaith Forum)

INTERFAITH FORUM FOR LEICESTERSHIRE: HATE INCIDENT MONITORING; ENGAGEMENT & REPRESENTATION OF FAITH COMMUNITIES

At County Hall, Glenfield (seat of Leicestershire County Council), for a meeting of the Interfaith Forum for Leicestershire.

The topic this evening is in two parts: Hate Incident Monitoring and Engagement and Representation of Faith Communities. The former is addressed by Sally Penney, Hate Incident Monitoring Project Co-ordinator at Leicestershire County Council), the latter by Chino Cabon (Senior Race Equality Officer at The Race Equality Centre).

The meeting is opened by Peter Lewis (Chairman of Leicestershire County Council), Chaired by Suleman Nagdi (Spokeman for the Federation of Muslim Organisations) and wound up by Resham Singh Sandhu (Chair of the Sikh Cultural and Welfare Society).

The Interfaith Forum for Leicestershire is less formal in nature than Leicester Council of Faiths, which allows it to be free from the need for formal membership, more open to input from those attending its meetings and more amenable to suggestions from any interested party for future topics.

There are 30 attendees this evening - a decent number for early Monday evening. I can't help wondering, though, if the turnout will have been affected by the fact that the Council of Faiths held our most recent meeting on a very similar topic, less than six weeks back, on Hate Crime and the Criminal Justice System at the University of Leicester. One of this evening's speakers spoke then. It would be a pity if that were so, as the approach taken to the subject this time round could be considered complementary. Chino, who spoke at the earlier meeting, gives a distinctly different talk this evening. There are around 185 hate incidents (which are different in nature from hate crimes) related to religion or belief reported in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. We should continue talking about this subject until that reduces to nothing.

THE BIG QUESTIONS, LIVE FROM LEICESTER

BBC One's The Big Questions is broadcast live from Samworth Enterprise Academy, Leicester, this morning. I've said before that I'm no fan of this kind of show and have turned down several invitations to appear on them over the years. While I’m all in favour of honest open discussion, I favour more the statement attributed to 'Abdu'l-Bahá, that “if two people quarrel over some religious subjects, both of them are wrong.” I make an exception for today’s broadcast and watch it for the sake of the blog. I wrote about a previous edition of the programme broadcast from the same venue. There's a change in the format this time in that there's no panel of experts out front (which I think is an improvement). Nicky Campbell hosts the programme, on which three "big questions" are discussed:

1. "Is it time for the police to favour black candidates?"
2. "Is criticism of Israel anti-Semitic?"
3. "Should gay couples be allowed to marry?"

I recognise several members of the audience. Leicestershire Sikh Alliance was well represented by Raj Mann (who spoke on the first topic), Harjit Singh (who spoke on the second topic), Kartar Singh (who raises his hand to speak several times, but to no avail) and Jasdeep Singh Lamaar. Shaykh Ibrahim Mogra, Assiatant Secretary of the Muslim Council of Britain, spoke on the second and third topics. Revd Canon Dr David Jennings, Vicar of Burbage, spoke on all three topics. Also in the audience is Resham Singh Sandhu, former High Sheriff of Leicestershire and former Chair of Leicester Council of Faiths. Last time I watched this show, there were several members of Leicester Secular Society in the audience. This time round, though, I don't see anyone I recognise from the Secular Society.

I don't like how shouty and bad tempered these programmes can become. That's not the best way to address religious, ethical and moral issues in the public eye. A big part of the reason why I have generally negative feelings about The Big Questions is the fact that, while it is undoubtedly worthwhile for it to travel the country and come from a different locality each week, the people who make the major contributions to the discussion and the groups they represent are not from the area. That might be considered fair enough, since the topics discussed are national or international in nature. For instance, while discussing the first question, Nicky Campbell refers to the 2011 Census results for Leicester (admittedly, in a rather "off the cuff" manner) backing up the conventional and historical argument that it's important for the police force to be representative of the community they are policing. I would say it’s not right that there's no one in the studio from Leicestershire Police, nor any statement from them or any description of the nature of diversity within Leicestershire Police (figures for which are readily available; I've got them and so has just about everyone else in Leicester and Leicestershire who is interested). There’s no one from the Jewish communities of Leicester (nor anyone from Leicester involved in the Palestinian issue) to engage with the second question. A similar argument goes for the third topic. I can say that because I know the local scene well enough to be able to spot the “well kent faces” (or those conspicuous by their absence). But the casual viewer inside or outside Leicester might be led to the conclusion that they’re getting a sense or flavour of how these issues play in Leicester, when that’s not the case.

INTER-FAITH FORUM IN RUTLAND PROVES A SUCCESS

It's been quite a few years since I last picked up a copy of the Rutland Times. I lived in Oakham for 16 years (1987-2003) and during those years the Rutland Times and I were on very good terms. I used to write regular small pieces about the sizeable and active Bahá'í community we had there at that time, as well as about the business of the Bahá'í Publishing Trust, where I worked then. I also wrote obituaries for the paper of John and Vera Long (who pioneered for the Bahá'í Faith in 1963, when they moved from Leicester to establish a new Bahá'í community there) when they both passed away in 1992. The Rutland Times also used to have occasional pieces about my Creative Writing classes and it once ran a profile piece about me. I don't have a copy of that any more; it would probably be embarrassing to read now. Those were more innocent times, in many ways.

Arriving at Launde Abbey today for the Christians Aware Christmas lunch, I find a copy of this week's edition of Rutland Times (edition published Saturday 8 December 2012) in the bar. Flicking through it, I'm glad to read the following short but pleasing article:

Inter-faith forum proves a success

A church welcomed people of several religions for an inter-faith forum.

Christians, Sikhs and Muslims joined together at St Andrew’s Church in Lyddington at the invitation of the Rev Jane Baxter.

Faith representatives included the newly-elected police and crime commissioner for Leicester and Rutland, Sir Clive Loader, and Judge Saleem Ahmed. 

Penny Escombe from Northamptonshire gave the opening address on spirituality in public life, followed by a talk from Chioneso Kulwant Kaur.

Former High Sheriff of Leicestershire, Resham Sandhu, said: “We are very fond of Rutland, and I hope we can repeat this successful event in Wing next year.”

Coincidentally, Resham's wife Surinder is here for the Christmas lunch, so I'm glad to be able to show the article to her.

Considering how much effort and resources we threw into Rutland promoting inter faith activities during the years I lived there (never mind the by the Bahá'ís who were there before and after that time) I am glad to see that the flame is being kept alive. I also joined in a Fellowship of Contemplative Prayer in Rutland, that was run by a small group of women from All Saints Parish Church in Oakham, that had an inter faith dimension. We once used extracts from Bahá'u'lláh's Hidden Words as the text for a session of contemplative prayer. I don't think that is still going, but it was a joy while it lasted.

Photo of St Andrew's Church, copyright Julian Dowse and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

CALL FOR VIGIL AFTER US SHOOTINGS

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Call for vigil after US shootings

Former High Sheriff of Leicestershire Resham Singh Sandhu has called for multi-faith vigils to be held on Sunday in memory of the six people killed at a Sikh temple in the USA.

They were shot by former US soldier Wade Michael Page, 40, in the Milwaukee suburb of Oak Creek last Sunday.

Page is understood to have killed himself.

Mr Sandhu, chairman of the British Sikh Association and The Sikh Welfare and Cultural society, said: "The entire Sikh community has been affected by the senseless shooting of innocent devotees at a gurdwara.

"We stand in solidarity and admire the strength shown by the victims, survivors and Sikh Americans nationwide.

"We want to make sure authorities in America and other parts of the world ensure Sikhs are safe and free to live their day-to-day lives and continue their worship peacefully.

"We request all Sikhs and other religious leaders to continue remembering those affected by the Oak Creek attack in their daily prayers.

"It would be a fitting tribute if Sikhs across the globe could organise inter-faith vigils this coming Sunday."

He thanked Muslim, Hindu, Jewish and Christian groups, plus President Barak Obama and the prime minister of India for sending their condolences and condemning the attack.

The article doesn't mention that Resham Singh Sandhu is a former Chair and current Director of Leicester Council of Faiths. Nor is it stated that Leicester Council of Faiths is holding an open-air public prayer vigil (along with Leicester Sikh Alliance) for the victims and survivors of the Oak Creek Gurdwara shootings in Town Hall Square, Sunday 12 August at 1900.  This is a public event, to which all well-wishers are welcome.

CLAIRE JACKSON: RECENT WORK AT NEW WALK MUSEUM & ART GALLERY

This evening I'm at New Walk Museum and Art Gallery, for the official launch of an exhibition of portraits by Claire Jackson. The display features a number of worthies from city and county, many of whom come from some of the diverse communities for which this part of the world is famous. Among the faces on show, I recognise a Buddhist, a Druid, two Jews (one Orthodox, the other Progressive), a Mormon, a Muslim (Cllr Abdul Osman, Leicester's first Muslim Lord Mayor), a Quaker, a Seventh-Day Adventist and - last but not least, a Sikh.

Pride of place goes to a full-length portrait of Resham Singh Sandhu (former Chair and current Director of Leicester Council of Faiths). There's Resham, as pleased as Punch, posing beside Claire's portrayal of him as High Sheriff of Leicestershire, a role which he filled in 2011-12. This picture is the first one visitors see when they arrive at the exhibition.

You can see more of the portraits on display in this exhibition on Claire Jackson's website or in this review of the exhibition from the Culture24 website. "Claire Jackson: Recent Work" runs at Leicester's New Walk Museum and Art Gallery until 26 August 2012.

BRITISH LEGION SALUTES SIKH HEROES

From today's Leicester Mercury:

British Legion Salutes Sikh Heroes 

The sacrifices of Sikhs who have stood alongside British troops in conflicts around the world are to be recognised in this year's Poppy Appeal. 

The Royal British Legion in Leicestershire is to introduce a Sikh khanda to its range of wooden remembrance emblems when it launches its appeal later this month. 

The khanda will join the Christian cross, the Jewish Star of David and the Muslim Crescent which have been introduced in recent years. 

The khanda, made up of a solid circle, two interlocked swords and a double-edged sword, will be on sale alongside poppies and the other wooden emblems. 

Jennifer Leach, the Legion's community fund-raiser in Leicestershire and Rutland, said: "We have had representations from the Sikh community nationally and locally and we felt it was time to produce the khanda. 

"We are very happy to be able to mark the sacrifices which have been made by Sikh soldiers who have fought and died in the British Army." 

Resham Singh Sandu, the High Sheriff of Leicestershire and the first Sikh to hold the post, said he was delighted to hear of the new Poppy Appeal emblem. 

Mr Singh Sandu, who is also chairman of the Sikh Cultural and Welfare Society, said: "This is a wonderful way to celebrate the bravery of all the Sikh soldiers who have served the British Army with such distinction. 

"It is no more than their bravery deserves. They have stood shoulder to shoulder with the British for years." 

He said his father, Sohel Singh, served in the British Indian Army and was on the frontline on the Egyptian border during the First World War. 

"He was a real hero and carried an injured colleague on his shoulder for seven miles from the front to the medical area," said Mr Singh Sandhu. 

"A bullet went through his ear and turban, but he survived. He was given the Indian Order of Merit." 

Last year's Poppy Appeal, marking the Legion's 90th birthday year, raised £525,161 in Leicestershire alone.It was the first time the appeal had broken the £500,000 mark. 

The total was 10 per cent up on the previous year's £476,150. 

The total raised in Rutland last year was £38,122 – seven per cent up on the previous year's £35,509. 

Miss Leach said: "We had a brilliant time last year and it would be amazing if we could top that figure. 

"What we need as well as people to be generous and giving are volunteers to help out in Leicester city centre and the Highcross. 

"We raised £25,000 in two weeks there and we think we could double that if we get more volunteers." 

The appeal launches on Saturday, October 29. 

On Saturday, November 5, the Leicester Tigers Poppy Match will take place at Welford Road, followed by the Leicestershire and Rutland Festival of Remembrance at Leicester Cathedral that evening. 

The next day, Sunday, November the 6, the Leicester City FC Poppy Match will take place at the King Power Stadium. 

At 11am on November 11, the country will hold a minute's silence to mark the moment the major hostilities of the First World War ended. 

Remembrance Sunday is on November 13. 

To find out more about volunteering, e-mail: jleach@britishlegion.org.uk

HIGH SHERIFF'S CHARITY EVENT

I have the honour of being invited by the High Sheriff of Leicestershire, Resham Singh Sandhu MBE DL, to join him and his guests - chief among them being Lady Gretton, Lord Lieutenant of Leicestershire - at a fund-raising event this evening in aid of Crimebeat Warning Zone, the High Sheriff's chosen charity.

There's a convivial atmosphere on what is an unseasonably warm evening (warm enough to melt the chocolates on offer). The proceedings are lent a slightly surreal air by many of the guests perching on the edges of (high quality) baths, shower stalls etc in the display areas of Plug Interiors, which is the venue for the evening.

A decent amount of money and considerable good will is raised for a good cause this evening. It's a privilege for me to play a part in that, however small.

Pouring oil on troubled waters

Visits have been made today by members of Leicester Council of Faiths and St Philip’s Centre for Study and Engagement in a Multi-Faith Society to city centre businesses and shops, to reassure them that the faith communities are united in our condemnation of the anti-social behaviour that was seen on our streets last night.

Members making these visits included Councillor Manjula Sood (Chair of Leicester Council of Faiths), High Sherrif of Leicestershire Resham Singh Sandhu, Suleman Nagdi, Marcus Solanki and Minou Cortazzi, among others.

Councillor Sood said today, "Our hearts and prayers go out to all those affected and few events cannot be allowed to define the Leicester we know and love. Many of us have worked in this community for many years and we will continue to work with our neighbours and friends for One Leicester."

KNITTING BISHOP HELPED BRING CITY'S FAITHS TOGETHER

Here's an interesting article from today's Leicester Mercury - all the more interesting because of the work Leicester Council of Faiths is doing currently, preparing for the celebration of our 25th anniversary.

Bishop helped to bring city's faiths together

By Tom Mack

A former Bishop of Leicester who did much to bring the city's faiths together has died, aged 85.

Richard Rutt was bishop from 1979 until 1991. He converted to Roman Catholicism four years after leaving the post.

He set up the city's council of faiths in 1986, visiting Sikhs, Hindus and Muslims to convince them to join him in forming the cross-faith organisation.

Resham Singh Sandhu, a trustee of the council who served as its chairman for 10 years, said: "I remember Richard as a man of great vision with great ideas.

"In those days, the Church of England and the Catholic Church were the most outgoing of the faith groups in the city and Richard came up with the idea of the council of faiths that has made the city the way it is today.

"He was very well-liked because he would go to religious places and talk to people from other faiths.

"Since then, the council of faiths has created much understanding and mutual respect between all faiths in the city."

Born in August 1925, Dr Rutt was ordained into the Church of England at the age of 27. He spent several years as a missionary in South Korea.

Speaking before being ordained as a Roman Catholic, he said he might have switched church much sooner if he had spent more of his time in the UK.

He was strongly against the move towards the ordination of women, which was allowed in 1992. He was one of 40 retired and assistant bishops who warned the Church of England's governing synod that the church would be split by the change.

He said: "The ordination of women is merely the ears of the hippopotamus. The body concerns morals, marriage and clear statements about faith.

"The Church of England is not able to give a clear message.

"The only place that really does the church's job is the Church of Rome."

A memorial service is to be held at Leicester Cathedral later in the summer.

The current Bishop of Leicester, the Rt Rev Tim Stevens, said: "I was sad to hear that Richard Rutt died in hospital on Wednesday.

"Richard will be remembered by many people in Leicestershire as a prayerful, scholarly and pastoral bishop who brought his Catholic spirituality and missionary experience to bear on his leadership of the diocese for over a decade.

"We give thanks for his life and ministry. He was well-loved in the diocese."

When looking for more on line about Richard Rutt, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that he was one of the leading men in the world of knitting. Known as The Knitting Bishop, he was the author of A History of Hand Knitting. There's an interview with him on the Serenity Knitting website.

Stones honour war dead from around world

From today's Leicester Mercury (there's a photo in the paper, but not on their website):

Stones honour war dead from around world

By Peter Warzynski & Laura Elvin

Soldiers from around the world who fought under the British flag remembered the sacrifices of their fallen comrades at the unveiling of a war memorial last night.

An emotional ceremony marked the official opening of the International Troop War Memorial, in Peace Walk, off Victoria Park, Leicester.

The monument is dedicated to Sikh, Muslim, African, Caribbean and Hindu soldiers who fought for Britain in the first and second world wars.

More than 100 veterans and dignitaries attended the unveiling of two granite tablets.

Sergeant Aubrey Isaac, 70, fought with the Royal Montserrat Defence Force for 35 years.

He was at the event to remember the West Indian soldiers who lost their lives fighting in the Second World War.

Aubrey, of Highfields, Leicester, said: "I wanted to show my appreciation for my countrymen who fought and died.

"It's important to remember everyone who sacrificed themselves for others."

Captain Jonathan Rice, 84, was a member of 2nd Battalion, Sikh Light Infantry, between 1945 and 1947.

He said: "I have wonderful memories. I'd just left school and it was like one big adventure.

"The men I fought alongside were tremendous and it's a fitting tribute to them."

The two stone tablets were unveiled by Lord Mayor of Leicester Robert Wann and president of the county Royal British Legion, Peter Roffey.

City councillor Culdipp Bhatti, chairman of Leicester International Troops Memorial Committee, conceived the idea for the memorial.

His father-in-law, Captain Chhajja Singh Kler, from Punjab, India, served in the British Army for almost 40 years.

Coun Bhatti said: "He entered the Army as an ordinary soldier and retired as a captain, which was a very proud thing for him.

"The memorial is to remember him and the many others who have given their lives to preserve our freedom. Without their dedication, history and our lives would be very different."

High Sheriff Resham Singh Sandhu was at yesterday's unveiling. His father, Sohel Singh, served in the British Indian Army during the First World War.

"I feel this is not only a great honour for the international soldiers but for the city of Leicester," he said.

"My father served on the Egyptian border between 1914 and 1918 on the frontline.

"He was a real hero and carried an injured colleague on his shoulder for seven miles from the front to the medical area.

"A bullet went through his ear and turban, but he survived."

Captain Bob Allen, 77, chairman of The Royal Tigers Association, said: "We salute all who are commemorated here, many of whose descendants no doubt now live in Leicester."

Lord Mayor's service celebrates "all faiths"

From today's Leicester Mercury:

Lord Mayor's service celebrates "all faiths"

City's diverse religions highlighted at annual civic ceremony

By Tom Mack

The new Lord Mayor of Leicester put religion in the spotlight yesterday with a service that embraced all faiths.

During the civic service, held each year at Leicester Cathedral  to welcome the new Lord Mayor into his or her post, Robert Wann read a passage from the Bible, and past Lord Mayor Manjula Sood read a prayer that was relevant to all religions.

In his sermon, Bishop of Leicester the Rt Rev Tim Stevens described Leicester as a city where "temples, mosques and gurdwaras punctuate the skyline, reminding us of the sacred links and shared aspirations of tens of thousands of its citizens".

He concluded by asking for God's blessing for Councillor Wann's work. Speaking after the event, Coun Wann said: "I thought it was an excellent service and the readings were very poignant. I'd been looking forward to it for a long time."

The Sikh High Sheriff of Leicestershire, Resham Singh Sandu, also attended.

He said: "It was a service for all faiths and people are here from all faiths – that's what Leicester is all about."

He added that he was planning to start a new tradition of the High Sheriff also having an annual service at Leicester Cathedral, and hoped to have one in September this year.

Councillor Sood, who is the chairman of the Leicester Council of Faiths, said: "The service was very moving and meaningful for the city. It was nice to have something for all the different faiths.

"The civic service is about everyone being together."

During his year in office, Coun Wann will be assisted by his chaplain, Canon Barry Naylor, who led yesterday's service with the Dean of Leicester Cathedral, Vivienne Faull.

Among the congregation were Ken and Eileen Coulson, from Glenfield.

Mr Coulson, 91, said: "It was great. I've been to a lot of the civic services because I'm in the Royal Marines Association and it's a very nice event."

Mrs Coulson, 88, said: "It was excellent. It was a different service because it was for the whole city, not just the people who were in the cathedral."

The previous Lord Mayor, Colin Hall, did not attend the civic service held for him last year.

He also banned the saying of prayers before full council meetings because he said it was outdated, but Coun Wann has revived the tradition.

Read this article, along with reader comments (and the opportunity to make your own) on the Leicester Mercury website: http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/news/Lord-Mayor-s-service-celebrates-faiths/article-3607069-detail/article.html

COLOURFUL AND PROUD DAY FOR THOUSANDS

From today’s Leicester Mercury:

Colourful and proud day for thousands

By Laura Elvin

An ancient festival brought a huge splash of colour and a taste of Indian culture to the streets of Leicester yesterday.

The sun shone down on thousands of worshippers who took part in a parade to mark Vaisakhi, one of the most important holidays in the Sikh calendar.

The procession started at the Guru Nanak Gurdwara, in Holy Bones, at 11.30am.

Brightly-coloured floats filled with singers and drummers were followed by a procession of worshippers who handed out sweets and treats to crowds who gathered to watch.

Like many onlookers, Manvir Kaur joined the procession as it passed.

The 20-year-old, from Evington, said: "It's so nice to be out there, so many of us all together. It's a day where we can get dressed up, wear our turbans and scarves, and be proud to be a Sikh in Leicester."

A group of friends from City of Leicester College walked in the parade together.

Tharenuir Sawan, 18, from Scraptoft, said: "This day is everything for us. It represents our very existence – physically, mentally and spiritually.

"Just getting out and being part of our community is the best bit, and having the chance to mix and meet new people. It's a very important day for us."

Classmate Parminder Sahib, 18, from Evington said: "It's just nice to be spending time together. Everyone is not at work, not at school, and has the time to enjoy the sun and the celebration."

Vaisakhi fell on Thursday, April 14, this year, but the procession was held over until yesterday so as many people as possible could take part.

Aneeta and Ragbit Hulait, from the Narborough Road area of Leicester, joined in the parade with daughters Amareese and Kira.

Amareese, eight, said: "We like getting chocolate and treats – that's the best bit!"

Sister Kira, six, said: "For me, my favourite part of the day is eating the Indian food on the way round. It's yummy!"

For Sikhs, Vaisakhi commemorates the founding in 1699 of the Sikh community known as the Khalsa.

It is also observed by Hindus, who celebrate it as a harvest festival.

Resham Singh Sandu, Leicestershire's first Sikh high sheriff and chairman of the county's Interfaith Forum, said: "All the different cultures and faiths in Leicester and Leicestershire came together. It's such a great showcase for the city."

Thousands due to join in parade

Nice piece in today's Leicester Mercury about the Vaisakhi parade that will take place in the city tomorrow. Over the past few years this has become a landmark in Leicester's calendar and it continues to go from strength to strength. This is a very positive article, with some helpful context and historical background: 

Thousands due to join in parade 

By Peter Squires & David Owen 

Up to 20,000 people are expected to take part in a parade through Leicester tomorrow to mark the Indian festival of Vaisakhi.

The colourful procession will wind its way through the centre of the city. 

It will be accompanied by devotional music, with spectators invited to join in with the festivities and share in traditional Indian delicacies. 

The Vaisakhi is an ancient harvest festival in the Punjab region and commemorates the founding of the Sikh nation in 1699. It also marks the Hindu solar new year and is observed by people of different faiths across the sub-continent. 

Visitors from across the country will swell the crowds, with up to 20,000 people expected on the day. 

Resham Singh Sandu, Leicestershire's first Sikh high sheriff and chairman of the county's Interfaith Forum, said: "Vaisakhi is a very special festival in the Sikh calendar – a time of fulfilment and giving thanks, and looking forward to the year ahead. 

"The procession will be a very lively and happy occasion, full of colour, music and dancing. 

"It's a chance for all the different cultures and faiths in Leicester and Leicestershire to come together. It's also a great showcase for the city." 

The three-hour parade will begin at about 11am at the Guru Nanak Gurdwara Sikh temple, in Holy Bones, off Vaughan Way. It will go through the city finishing at the Guru Bahadur Gurdwara temple, in East Park Road. 

Vaisakhi fell on Thursday, April 14, this year, but the procession has been held over until Sunday so as many people as possible can take part. 

Several hundred people gathered at the Holy Bones temple on Thursday – marking the end of six days of non-stop recitals from the Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh holy book. 

Temple vice-chairman Sulakhal Singh Dard said: "From early in the morning, the hall was full of people celebrating and bringing respect to the temple. At one point in the day, we must have had more than 500 people." 

The parade will travel along Great Central Street, Vaughan Way, St Nicholas Circle, Peacock Lane, St Martins, Greyfriars, Berridge Street, Pocklingtons Walk and Welford Place, along King Street, Regent Road, Granville Road, Evington Road, into East Park Road.

Read the article on the Mercury website, along with reader comments: http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/news/Thousands-join-parade/article-3454982-detail/article.html

RESHAM IS NEW HIGH SHERIFF

This article is published in today's Leicester Mercury:

Resham is new High Sheriff

Leicestershire's first Sikh high sheriff has taken office.

Resham Singh Sandu took over the role from Colonel Robert Martin during a ceremony yesterday.

The year-long appointment was confirmed by the Queen last month.

Mr Sandhu said: "I'm very much looking forward to my year as High Sheriff and I'm very excited about it."

During his year he will be supporting Crimebeat and Hope Against Cancer. The ceremony was held in Woodhouse Eaves, where Col Martin lives, with a service of thanksgiving beforehand at St Paul's Parish Church, in the village.

During the service, Col Martin's chaplain, Canon Derek Buxton, collapsed while giving a sermon. He regained consciousness before being taken to hospital.

Mr Sandhu is a former chairman of Leicester's Council of Faiths.

QUEEN CONFIRMS NEW HIGH SHERIFF AT PALACE CEREMONY

Today's Leicester Mercury carries an article about the official confirmation of Resham Singh Sandhu MBE (photo above)  in the post of High Sheriff of Leicestershire. Resham is a stalwart of Leicester Council of Faiths, having served for several years as its Chair. He continues to be one of the strongest supporters of its work and an influential figure in the city, the county and beyond on issues to do with community cohesion and  good relations. He is currently Chair of the Interfaith Forum for Leicestershrie and Chair of the Sikh Cultural and Welfare Society.

Queen confirms new High Sheriff at palace ceremony


Leicestershire's new High Sheriff has been officially confirmed by the Queen during an ancient ceremony at Buckingham Palace.


Last November, Resham Singh Sandhu, of Oadby, was nominated at London's High Court to take his place in history as one of the latest incumbents of the oldest secular office in Britain.


That nomination has now been officially confirmed by the Queen, when she used a silver bodkin to "prick" his name on a list of all new high sheriffs for England and Wales written on parchment.


Mr Singh Sandhu will take office in the next few weeks.

THERE'S A NEW HIGH SHERIFF IN THE COUNTY

I read, with interest, an article in today's Leicester Mercury about the appointment of Resham Singh Sandhu (photo above)  to the post of High Sheriff of Leicestershire. Resham is a stalwart of Leicester Council of Faiths, having served for several years as its Chair. He continues to be one of the strongest supporters of its work and an influential figure in the city of Leicester, the county of Leicestershire and beyond on issues to do with community cohesion and  good relations.

There's a new High Sheriff in the County

The new High Sheriff of Leicestershire has been selected at a ceremony in the High Court.

Resham Singh Sandhu, of Oadby, will become the local holder of the oldest continuous secular office under the Crown in Britain..

The High Sheriff is a volunteer, unpaid and in office for one year, and is the Queen's representative for law and order in the county.

The Office of High Sheriff is the oldest secular office in the UK after the Crown, and Leicestershire has had High Sheriffs since 1172.

Historically, responsibilities included tax collection, conscription and maintaining law and order, but today the role is chiefly attending royal visits and acting as returning officer in parliamentary elections.

Before the High Sheriffs take up office next March, a second ceremony will take place at the Privy Council in London.

There, the Queen, using a silver bodkin in a practice dating back to the reign of Queen Victoria, will prick their names on a parchment list to give their appointments the royal seal of approval.

A couple of days later, the Mercury published a bigger feature on this subject, with a couple of very nice photos, but it wasn't uploaded to the paper's website. In this later article, it states that Resham will be the first turban-wearing Sikh High Sheriff in the country.

National Inter Faith Week: day 5

I spend an hour on our stall in Highcross between 0900 and 1000. Suzie Wood (Highcross’s Commercialisation Co-ordinator) is there, taking a few photographs for their own records. She tells me that she’s impressed by how organised and professional we’ve been. I’m glad that’s the sort of impression we’ve made.

Here are some of the things we’ve had on the stall as giveaways: a sticker (kids love stickers!), blue, credit card size, with our name, our logo and the motto, “We have faith in Leicester!”; a plastic keyring, plum coloured, with our logo on one side and “We have faith in Leicester!” on the other; a bookmark which is virtually a scaled-down version of the Council of Faiths banner, with our website address on one side. If we’d been able to get a little more funding for this week, I’d have loved to have done this for all the faiths banners. That’s something for the future.

I phone Noel Singh to ask if we can do anything more to get decent coverage for the week’s events in the Leicester Mercury. So far, they have only mentioned the upcoming football match at Judgemeadow Community College. We agree a plan of action between the two of us.

Today’s “First Person” column in the Leicester Mercury is by Resham Singh Sandhu, offering the Sikh perspective. It’s as forthright and focused as Resham himself with some insightful things to say about the present and some challenging things to say about the future.

This is the first day I’m away from the display. It's mostly been "hands on" all week so far, but not today. We expect a visit from the newly-formed Students Council for RE at 1215. Must find out how that goes!

The Council of Faiths is holding a social event this evening in the Welcome Centre as part of its programme for National Inter Faith Week. I can’t be there as I have a work engagement. I’ve made a game for this evening though, a quiz of 20 questions that require everyone to get up and move around, talk to each other and interact if they’re going to answer the questions. I email this to Julie-Ann Heath and Gursharan Thandi, who are in charge of the event. Must find out how that goes too!

Here are a few notes from today's reflective journal, written by some of those volunteering on the exhibition:

“I have enjoyed participating in this initiative and having the opportunity to engage with people and discuss multifaith issues. Both of the periods I covered were in the morning and fairly quiet, people generally sharing little direct interest, although those that have, on the whole spent some time and asking questions and sharing their thoughts. This, it seems to me, is a necessary part of faith work and I am impressed with the exhibition and the other inter-faith activities that have been organised.”

“This has been a really good experience, speaking to the public and promoting the importance of inter-faith understanding and awareness.”

“A wonderful event to be involved in. An opportunity for the community of Leicester to see what religion has to offer and that it isn’t about ‘conversion’ and ‘preaching’. I personally, on the two occasions that I was able to help out, had very interesting conversations with individuals, covering many of the diverse communities of Leicester. Some very soft, nice conversations and some a little more diehard and aggressive. However, no one I spoke to can deny the benefits of the faith communities working together to promote the opportunities for community cohesion in the city.”

On checking before bedtime, the Council of Faiths has 48 fans on Facebook.

SIKHS IN BRITISH SOCIETY

In the evening, a choice: either I go to Shree Sanatan Mandir for the last of the Diwali celebrations, or to Secular Hall, to hear Resham Singh Sandhu speak on "Sikhs in British Society". This isn't an official part of the programme for National Inter Faith Week, but it's an auspicious day for it. I imagine that most members of the Council of Faiths will be going to Shree Sanatan Mandir - and there's no denying the obvious attraction of that. I opt for supporting Resham, since I reckon he'll probably be at Secular Hall on his own. This isn't an official part of the programme for National Inter Faith Week, but it's obviously a good day to have this talk. I arrive at Secular Hall a few minutes late and Resham's already speaking, to an audience of 20 or so. He gives an eloquent and wide-ranging presentation on Sikhs' relations with British society, its people and institutions, past, present and future. He has to leave promptly, before Q&A. On the way out, he pauses to ask me, "Aren't you coming to Hindu temple?" but he doesn't wait for my answer.

I decide to stay for Q&A, in case my meagre knowledge of Sikhism might help. Noel Singh is sitting beside me and responds to questions from the perspective of being a Sikh by birth, culture and upbringing – but having chosen not to follow the religion himself. A Sikh mother and daughter also speak there, mostly about gurdwaras in Leicester and a little bit about Sikh funeral practices. It's all conducted in an amiable atmosphere and several of the members of the Secular Society tell their own tales about acts of kindness and generosity shown to them personally by Sikhs at one time or another. They seem to conclude that the only trouble with Sikhism is that it's a religion and not a social movement - that they'd find it perfectly acceptable if it weren't for the fact that Sikhs believe in God. I tell them that that's their problem, rather than the Sikhs'! I leave the meeting (after tea and biscuits and the customary convivial chat with their President, Allan Hayes) with a distinctly warm feeling about this evening.