Interfaith Peace Blessing held in Birmingham, UK

T his year, 2015, we held our also collectively, representing so beginning and oneness together annual Blessing Ceremony at a many strands of humanity, and were under God. new venue right in the heart of inspired to know that the same As we began the Blessing ceremony Birmingham’s city centre, in the ceremony was taking place all over itself, the depth of the occasion Unitarian New Meeting Church. the world. This sense of being ‘One became more significant with prayers Sponsored by the Family Federation, Family’ is very real on these offered from 6 different faith Universal Peace Federation and the occasions, and is a powerful, positive, traditions. We all then stood to Women’s Federation for World Peace, uplifting feeling which we share receive the holy water, and to take it brought together people of all together, and very meaningful when the four universal vows, promising to colours and creeds, not just from we think of some of the conflict taking remain true to the values and virtues Birmingham and the West Midlands place in other parts of the world. coming from God and our respective but from cities as far away as We heard four perspectives on the faith traditions, to keep fidelity within Leicester, Rugby and Wellingborough. family from Muslim, Hindu, Jewish our couple, to help our children Two of our main dignitaries, the Lord and Christian ladies, followed by a maintain their purity of mind and Mayor of Rugby, Cllr Ramesh brief summary of the purpose of the body in a very difficult world, and to Srivastava, and the former Queen’s Blessing from David Earle. All share God’s blessing with our High Sherriff of Leicester, Resham participants then shared the cup of extended family, neighbours and the Singh Sandhu MBE, had travelled Holy Nectar, representing our new wider society. over 2 hours by car to be with us, a great honour. More than 50 couples were represented on the occasion, from the Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Sikh, Jewish and Zoroastrian faith traditions. Some couples were friends whom we have known for more than 20 years, while others were relatively new acquaintances. Naturally, there were many different levels of understanding amongst all those attending the event, but virtually everyone had received preparation at an evening programme, or one-to- one. All the participants, therefore, realised and felt the need to make a new beginning, both as a couple and

fact we were almost 160 in total so the food had to be ‘stretched’ to make sure everyone could enjoy something. At the same time, the music began with our main act being Basil, Catherine and Candice Gabbidon. Basil was a founding member of the roots reggae band Steel Pulse in the 1970’s, originating in the multicultural Handsworth area of Birmingham, which achieved international acclaim and a Grammy Award in 1986. We also enjoyed music from Fay Goodman, a composer, author and martial arts teacher who believes passionately in the use of both music and martial arts to help children and adults find inner Aisha Abdul-Latif giving a Muslim perspective on the family peace, harmony and healing. Other singers, both young and old, added After the presentation of flowers, we ‘Ok Mansei’ - wishing each other different flavours, helping to bring the turned to the East and, thinking about 10,000 years of eternal happiness! whole occasion to a joyful conclusion. the founders of all our different We presented 3 UPF Ambassador for We have held the Blessing in traditions - Abraham, Jesus, Prophet Peace certificates, 1 Family Birmingham every year since 2007. It Mohammed, Zoroaster, Guru Nanak, Recognition certificate and 9 WFWP requires the investment of a huge Lord Buddha, the Hindu sages, and Ambassador for Peace certificates. amount of heart and energy to make it Father and Mother Moon - the This was followed by some wonderful happen, and a big collective effort on founders of our Peace Federations international food, much of it donated the day itself, but the many and originators of the Blessing, we by a local Indian caterer, Shankars’ participants almost always have a offered a collective bow to the Divine. Sweet Centre. and with tasty unique and unforgettable experience, The Lord Mayor of Rugby then gave contributions from a number of our coming away with a genuine sense of his warm, congratulatory remarks and FFWPU members. We had estimated renewal and a greater feeling of hope we concluded with 3 rousing cheers of about 100 people attending, but in in the future.

Nila Parmar - Hinduism Helga Loeb - Judaism Annette Taylor - Christianity

Prayers from the Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Sikh, Hindu and Zoroastrian traditions