FAITHS COME TOGETHER FOR SYRIA APPEAL

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Faiths come together for Syria appeal

A toy collection is being held for children affected by the conflict in Syria.

Sharen Ravat, chaplaincy service manager at Leicester College, will be holding a drop-in session for members of the public to hand over unwanted or unused toys on Sunday, August 4, from 1pm to 5pm at St Philip's Church in Evington Road, Leicester.

Many different faith communities have already pledged support, including Leicester Islamic Centre, Leicester Cathedral, Guru Tegh Bahadur Gurdwara and the Sikh Cultural and Welfare Society.

The toys will be given to the UK charity Hand in Hand for Syria, which will then distribute them at hospitals in the war-torn country.

Sharen said: "I decided to organise the campaign after being touched by the plight of children in Syria, many of whom have lost their loved ones, been injured, made homeless or just lost hope.

"The UN has already said that the Syrian refugee crisis is the worst since Rwanda with an average of 6,000 people fleeing every day.

"I am hoping that by offering toys to children, it puts an immediate smile on their faces."

For more information, call Sharen on 07919 290 313.

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.

WORLD FAITHS ADVISORY GROUP AT LEICESTER UNIVERSITY, FEBRUARY 2013

A meeting of the World Faiths Advisory Group (WFAG) at the University of Leicester's Chaplaincy Centre (The Gatehouse, University Road) this lunchtime.

Present today are Rev Canon Dr Stephen Forster (Coordinating Chaplain), Ian Snaith (Chair, WFAG), Chris Sharp (Equalities Adviser to the University of Leicester) and Resham Singh Sandhu (Chair of the Sikh Cultural and Welfare Society, Vice Chair of Leicestershire Interfaith Forum and past-Chair of Leicester Council of Faiths).

With Chris present at today's meeting, it makes sense to talk about the World Faiths Advisory Group's relation to the University's management of equality issues. Under the terms of the Public Sector Equality Duty, the University of Leicester - like all public bodies - has to apply itself to three aims of the general duty:

• To eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation and other conduct prohibited by the Equality Act 2010. By removing or minimising disadvantages suffered by people due to their protected characteristics.
• To advance equality of opportunity between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not. By taking steps to meet the needs of people from protected groups where these are different from the needs of other people.
• To foster good relations between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not. By encouraging people from protected groups to participate in public life or in other activities where their participation is disproportionately low.

 

We discuss the possibility of establishing a Religion or Belief Forum, which would function alongside hose already operating at the university in relation to other Protected Characteristics as enumerated in the Equality Act 2010. If such a forum existed, it would free WFAG from having to be involved in governance issues and allow this group to make progress on issues that fall within its specific remit. I am able to speak to the meeting in support of this idea. It's been my experience that the Protected Characteristic of Religion or Belief is taken more seriously an treated with more respect when it is see in context with the other Protected Characteristics, rather than trying to stand alone outside the general scheme of things or to make special pleading on grounds of exceptionalism.
 

 

 

 

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

"We must show united front"

I posted yesterday about members of Leicester Council of Faiths and of St Philip's Centre out and about in the city centre, during the clean up after the disturbances on Tuesday evening. Here's how that's reported in today's Leicester Mercury, linking it up with other positive responses by the community in general.

"We must show united front" 

Peaceful protestors were among those out on the streets of Leicester yesterday to try to prevent further violence. 

A group of about 30 people gathered at the Clock Tower waving banners and playing music from about 3.30pm. 

They were led by 18-year-old Austin Williams, of St Mark's, Leicester, who helped organise the demonstration following a meeting of residents and community groups in Highfields. 

Mr Williams said: "We've been voicing how we feel about the riots and doing what we can to prevent them. 

"We're all about getting kids to harness their energy and make a difference." 

Faith leaders also joined together to offer comfort and support to people and businesses affected by Tuesday night's violence.

Representatives from the Christian, Hindu, Muslim and Sikh faiths visited some locations which saw trouble, including Granby Street, the cultural quarter and the Highcross [no mention of the Bahá'í community being involved, although Minou Cortazzi, who represents the Bahá'ís on the Board of Directors of Leicester Council of Faiths - and is its immediate past Chair - is at the front of the photo.]

The event was organised by Riaz Ravat, of the St Philip's Centre, an Evington charity which promotes inter-faith relations in Leicester. 

He said: "We've been appalled by the incidents that have taken place. There's quite a bit of anger and, as faith communities, we need to show a united front." 

Suleman Nagdi, of the Federation of Muslim Organisations, said: "We need to send a message that an attack on one section of the community is an attack on us all." 

Resham Singh Sandhu, chairman of the Sikh Welfare and Culture Society [sic], said he had spoken with Sikh youths in East Park Road on Tuesday evening who were guarding not only their temple and shops from potential attack, but also the mosque. 

He said: "I'm saddened this has happened but we're lucky we respect each other in Leicester, because we have to look after each other." 

The Right Reverend Christopher Boyle, assistant Bishop of Leicester, said: "We've endeavoured to show solidarity for the city of Leicester and its citizens" 

Volunteers also took to the streets during a clean-up operation in the aftermath of the trouble. 

About 15 volunteers met at the Clock Tower at 9am after word of the event spread on social networking websites. 

Aimee Packwood, 25, of Clarendon Park, a member of Voluntary Action Leicestershire, said: "The fact people have come out to clean up shows more want to make this kind of difference, rather than what happened last night. There was a peaceful protest but it was hijacked by people who wanted to cause trouble." 

Representatives from the city wardens were also on hand to help out.
Fosse warden Jethro Swift said: "What happened last night was atrocious but cleaning up is the right thing to do. It shows the great community spirit we have in Leicester." 

City MPs condemned the violence and praised police. Leicester South MP Jon Ashworth was due to speak in Parliament today to put pressure on the Prime Minister to confirm Leicester had all the resources to support police dealing with incidents. 

He said: "What we have seen by a small minority is shocking and, though we have not witnessed the criminality of the scale of other cities, there must be no excuse for the burglary and vandalism our city experienced last night. 

"I want to commend the bravery of the police in Leicester who have been consistently excellent on the frontline." 

Leicester East MP Keith Vaz said: "The damage this senseless criminality has caused will not be tolerated, however, we need to get to the bottom of the reasons why this tiny minority have behaved in this disgraceful way."

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.

Christmas Aaya

High profile launch today for a multicultural, multi-faith Christmas single. The article and photo feature our very own Concillor Manjula Sood, Chair of Leicester Council of Faiths (third from left in the photo above) and Resham Singh Sandhu (second from right).

People of all faiths are coming together to launch the first Asian Christmas song, with all profits going to the victims of the Pakistan floods.

"Christmas Aaya" – Christmas is Here – is being played by radio stations across the world and is already in The Voice of Asia top ten. Record-breaking drummer King G Mall, who produced the single and appears as Father Christmas in the video, says he is aiming for a Christmas number one.

‘‘We all celebrate Christmas to some degree and I love bringing everyone together for a good cause.

"On the single we sing in both English and Punjabi and this is the first song with a video shot in four countries – UK, Holland, Canada and India."

The Curve theatre in Leicester is holding a spectacular launch party Friday December 17, hosted by Simon Ward of BBC East Midlands Today. The night features Bollywood dancers, bhangra and a fashion show with leaders of many faiths attending.

"They include Resham Singh Sandhu MBE, chair of the Sikh Welfare Cultural Society UK, Reverend Javid Iqbal, chair of the Diosesan Forum for Ethnic Minority Anglicans in Leicester, who says he is “honoured to be part of the event as it’s bringing the faith communities together and raising much needed funding to help the flood victims of Pakistan to rebuild their lives.”.

Suleman Nagdi MBE of the Federation of Muslim Organisation also pledges his support, stating that, “As a Muslim, I am extremely honoured to be part of the Christmas Aaya event as it shows how communities can work together for the mutual respect and advancement of good community relations in Leicestershire.” Also present will be councillor Manjula Sood, former Lord Mayor and chair of the Leicester Council of Faiths, Mussarat Iqbal, chair of Life Skill Project International and Pat Weller, Chief Executive of the Curve said, “We at the curve support both the local and the wider community and we are behind this fundraising event.”

The launch is supported by Curve and Pukaar News.

King G. Mall says, "It’s hardcore Bhangra based on traditional Punjabi folk music but we include a banjo and you can’t help smiling and dancing! Tourists joined in when we were filming at London Bridge and now they’re in the film, along with people from the streets of Leicester."

King G. Mall twice appeared in the Guinness Book of World Records for the largest assembled gathering of dhol players (Punjabi drummers.) Earlier this year he released "Aao Ji", the first bhangra release to feature both Asian and non-Asian artists, which received massive online attention with over two hundred and fifty thousand hits.

Artists from Canada, the UK, India, Holland and Pakistan feature in the new single, including Naomi Zaman, Sahib Sekhon, Sana Parvez Naeem John from Leicester and 12-year-old Londoner Nish.

"People say, 'What’s the crazy guy up to now?' I’m aiming to bring people of all cultures together for a good cause and to celebrate Christmas as one!"

Read the article in context on the website of Pukaar News:
http://www.pukaarnews.com/Pages/NsCaaya.html

Centre of Excellence in Community Cohesion (4)

At the St Philip's Centre, Evington, for the latest meeting of our sub-group working on proposals for the Centre of Excellence in Community Cohesion. The meeting is led by Jasbir Mann (Head of Learning Services, Leicester City Council). There's another four of us in this meeting: Nick Carter (Chair, Leicester Multicultural Advisory Group), John Hall (Director, St Philip's Centre), Resham Singh Sandhu (Chair, Sikh Cultural and Welfare Society) and me.

Our main tasks today: to convert a paper (already written by Jasbir and presented to the wider group working on this project at its last meeting) into a proposal with two audiences - internal and external; to make progress on mapping work already being done in this field; to decide what we mean by "community cohesion" (we might end up saying "what used to be called 'community cohesion'.")

At moments, bashing out the form of words around the table makes me imagine that we're in the dullest ever episode of The West Wing. Rob Lowe and Richard Schiff made doing all that copy amendment stuff look so cool!

Centre of Excellence in Community Cohesion (2)

I rush straight from Braunstone Leisure Centre to St Philip's Centre (dropping off our exhibition at the Welcome Centre on the way) for the first meeting of our small group working on advancing ideas and proposals for presenting Leicester as a centre of excellence in community cohesion. There are five of us meeting today: Jasbir Mann (Head of Learning Services, Leicester City Council) who's responsible for driving this project forward; Dilwar Hussain (from the Policy Research Centre), Riaz Ravat (Training Manager at St Philip's Centre), Resham Singh Sandhu (President of the Sikh cultural and Welfare Society and former Chair of Leicester Council of Faiths) and me.

The one definite proposal we agree upon to put to the larger group is that we should be going for a virtual presence for this centre, not a geographical physical site. Jasbir will work that into a position paper that we can present to the next full meeting.

CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE IN COMMUNITY COHESION: 1

Sheila Locke, Chief Executive at Leicester City Council, has called a meeting this afternoon on the topic of community cohesion. The meeting is in the CEO's Conference Room, seventh floor of B Block in the City Council's New Walk Centre. This is the latest step in an ongoing discussion, today moving on to consider the question, "What would a Centre of Excellence for Community Cohesion Look Like?" Representatives of the City Council, Federation of Muslim Organisations, Leicestershire Constabulary, Policy Research Centre, Sikh Cultural and Welfare Society, St Philip's Centre are also attending.

All of us here today have experience of people coming from different parts of the country - from different parts of the world - to find out how we do we do in Leicester. Some of them want to learn how to make it work where they live; some of them think they can pull aside the veil and be the one to expose some kind of chicanery at work underneath. I've seen plenty of attempts at both sides in my time in this post. Leicester has a positive reputation as a model, as a beacon for managing diversity. Can the Leicester experience be bottled and marketed? Is the "centre of excellence for community cohesion" the city itself, rather than some building to be occupied or institution yet to be created? It's a short meeting, lasting just an hour, by the end of which we've appointed a working group to address some specific points:

• to scope something that looks like a model
• to include some research capacity
• to take stock of major themes
• to log work already being done
• to list conversations ongoing across the city
• to identify new conversations required in the city
• to decide what could be sustained locally (existing and new work)
• to pick out stuff that we think we should just have a go at
• to see what we can market nationally and/or internationally
• to propose where we could introduce some innovation

This working group (of Dilwar Hussain, Jasbir Mann, Riaz Ravat, Resham Singh Sandhu and me) will meet in a week's time at St Philip's Centre. The bigger group will meet again in a month or so, which would allow this topic to be introduced into the autumn political cycle.

equality audits & equality impact assessments

At Leicestershire Centre for Integrated Living (LCIL), 0900-1700 today. A full day's training on equality audits and equality impact assessments, presented by Kim Donahue of Urban Inclusion, supported by Jaya Gajparia from the National Equality Partnership. A decent turnout, with attendees from the Equality and Diversity Partnership (EDP), LCIL, the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Centre, The Race Equality Council (TREC) and the Regional Equality and Diversity Partnership (REDP). I'm joined by Gursharan Thandi, also representing Leicester Council of Faiths (as well as the Sikh Cultural and Welfare Society). For the first time, we meet Resh Plaha, who is here from the Leicester Asian Business Association.

Find out more about Urban Inclusion:
http://www.urbaninclusion.co.uk/

Find out more about the National Equality Partnership:
http://www.wrc.org.uk/what_we_do/our_projects/