Interfaith Peace Blessing 2017 in Birmingham, United Kingdom

Interfaith Peace Blessing 2017 Birmingham, United Kingdom, February 18, 2017 Birmingham. The UK’s ‘second city’. A ‘City of Sanctuary’. A city of Tolkien and Lord of the Rings. A city of hundreds of churches, mosques, temples, synagogues and gurudwaras. A city of industry which played a major role in the first and second world wars. Hopefully moving towards being a ‘City of Peace’.

By David Earle Federation staff, and several supporters, Indian Ladies Club, a Kashmiri e held the annual Interfaith who worked seamlessly together for Association, the Namdhari Sikhs, Arya

W Peace Blessing in the main hall of the Arya Samaj Vedic Mission, situated in Birmingham’s heartland near the city about 7 hours, providing a very meaningful and joyful experience for all our guests. Several months of outreach, preparation Samaj, Clifton Road Mosque community, the Krishna Temple, Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha community, and several Christian centre. This year’s Blessing had a and education meant that individuals churches. In addition, we were joined somewhat different flavour to previous and couples came representing : the by seven Syrian families who have occasions, making it something of an Birmingham Iranian Club, the found refuge and safety in our city. ‘unknown quantity’, with no real idea of Association of Ladies of Pakistani how many people would attend. Our Origin, the British Organisation for National Council had decided to make People of Asian Origin, the Polish it more of a Family Festival, and in the Expats Association, the Bangladeshi end the main hall was close to its 300 Women’s Association, the Somali capacity. We were only able to manage Families Association, the Federation of the numbers due to an excellent Family Indian Muslim Organisations, the

We were also privileged to have with us 8 of our City Councillors, 3 of whom were former Lord Mayors, and our Deputy Lord Lieutenants, Jagjit and Satinder Taunque, representing the Queen. Truly it seemed as though the whole world had gathered in one place, creating a very special feeling for such a unique occasion. After an introduction and welcomes, three short speeches were given on the theme of ‘Marriage and Family’ by Mrs Nila Parmar, former Chair of the Birmingham Council of Faiths, Rev Canon Eve Pitts, the first UK woman of Afro-Caribbean heritage to be ordained

Three short speeches were given on the theme of ‘Marriage and Family’ by Mrs Nila Parmar, former Chair of the Birmingham Council of Faiths, Rev Canon Eve Pitts, the first UK woman of Afro-Caribbean heritage to be ordained in the Anglican Church, and Sheikh Nuru Mohammed, recently appointed from Africa as the spiritual leader of Clifton Road mosque. David Earle, representing FFWPU, then gave a 15-minute presentation about the meaning and significance of the Peace Blessing.

in the Anglican Church, and Sheikh Just prior to the Blessing itself, we had Nuru Mohammed, recently appointed 5 women offer prayers from the Sikh, from Africa as the spiritual leader of Jewish, Muslim, Christian and Hindu Clifton Road mosque. David Earle, traditions, with our devotees ranging in representing FFWPU, then gave a 15- age from 17 (Abida) to 95 (Ruth) years minute presentation about the meaning old! Following the sprinkling of Holy and significance of the Peace Blessing, Water on our assembly, all the couples particularly for those guests who had promised to do their best to be faithful been invited to attend by friends and to God in upholding the values and family members to be able to virtues of their different traditions, to understand the significance of the remain faithful to one another, to try occasion. and bring up their children with purity of mind and body, and finally to After the Blessing prayer, we heard a We then conducted the Holy Nectar very touching, personal exchange of Ceremony of Forgiveness and Renewal develop a ‘True Parental’ heart and be a letters to one another, written that with all the couples generating a feeling blessing to others - in their family, neighbourhood, workplace and all morning, by Maureen, a lay preacher in of seriousness, sincerity and joy. It was the Methodist Church and Chaplain at such a precious moment. spheres of influence. the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, and her loyal husband Colin.

This was followed by a most beautiful rendition of “One God” by Mrs Betty Rodrigues, expressed with such purity of voice and spirit.” Many the path winding their way to One God; Brothers and sisters, there are no strangers after His work is done; for your God, and my God, are one”.

Mr Kuldip Singh Ubhi, National Director of the Namdhari Sikhs in the UK, long- standing friend and Ambassador for Peace, gave the congratulatory remarks, and we concluded the formal part of our We then conducted the Holy Nectar Ceremony of Forgiveness and Renewal with all the proceedings with 3 rousing, joyful couples generating a feeling of seriousness, sincerity and joy. It was such a precious moment. (Korean) cheers of ‘Ok Mansei’, literally 10,000 years of happiness to all !!

UPF Ambassador for Peace (Youth) certificates were presented to 4 young people from the British Carnatic Choir, and to 3 men - Sheikh Nuru Mohammed, Cllr Jay Walia, and Mr Onkar Hunjan of BOPA. Following this, 10 most delightful women, all doing amazing things in a whole variety of capacities, received the Women’s Federation Ambassador for Peace Certificate.

UPF Ambassador for Peace (Youth) and a ‘spring-cleaning’ of the heart. event. We both really enjoyed it and certificates were presented to 4 young Overall, the feeling was one of a getting the award of Ambassador for people from the British Carnatic Choir, beautiful offering for our city and Peace was a lovely surprise.” and to 3 men - Sheikh Nuru nation but, equally, the sheer diversity Maureen. “Thank you for such a Mohammed, Cllr Jay Walia, and Mr of people present made it feel like the wonderful peace blessing event. It Onkar Hunjan of BOPA. Following whole world was taking part. It is really is becoming a highlight of the this, 10 most delightful women, all always a great feeling when the whole year.” doing amazing things in a whole seems greater than the sum of the parts, variety of capacities, received the through the presence of the Divine. Rana. “A fantastic event, my lovely. Women’s Federation Ambassador for Well done!” Peace Certificate. Charlotte. “It was so good to see such Some comments… an amazing diversity of people coming Vegetarian food of all descriptions was then served to everyone in a ‘Feeding Rajinder. “Thank you very much for together peacefully, for such a the 5,000’ experience, in no small way your kind hospitality and for organising wonderful purpose. All the speakers due to the wonderful generosity of a such a large function on Saturday. It were very clear and strong. Sheikh few of our FFWPU members. Also, the was a great success. Please pass on our Nuru spoke so powerfully. It was good collective effort of both the parents and highest appreciation to your family and to have all the city councillors there to young people in our Family Federation friends who contributed so much hear this message about the family.” community was crucial for the success “labour of love” to make everybody Rama. “It was wonderful. Everything of the whole event, and many people happy. The programme and speeches was amazing, incredible…the speeches, commented how delightful it was to see were excellent. We look forward to the prayers, the ceremony, the food, the the different generations working meeting you again some time.” company. Thank you so much to harmoniously together. Sharon. “I was truly blessed and everyone.” We had a fundraising stall at the back cherished every moment of the Peace Neeta. “Thank you for a lovely of the room, with proceeds going to Blessing initiative. It is very clear that evening. It was great to see so many support an Orphanage in Syria, and the God is using you to enlighten those different people coming together, and meeting wound down gradually with who were in isolation, by showing them meeting new people… some lovely musical offerings from that we are all children under the same Betty, Tom Pritty, David Rennie and one God of the universe. ‘My soul doth Sourour. “Thanks for the lovely Viola Dirnhofer. magnify the Lord, and my spirit shall evening, my dear. My neighbours are ever praise His name’. May God’s very nice! Glad I gave them a lift today This Interfaith Peace Blessing was a continuous blessing be upon you to come together.” powerful statement regarding the value of the family in present-day society, throughout your endeavour.” Marcia. “The whole event was so coming from more than 100 couples Jaya and Ramesh. “Thank you very touching, so moving. It was like the day and their families, people from 35 much for inviting us to Saturday’s of our wedding all over again!” different nationalities, representing all races, cultures and different faith traditions. The fact that the Blessing is taking part in other countries all around the world gives an added sense of solidarity with one another, a greater feeling of oneness, friendship and hopefulness in an increasingly secular and legalistic society. On a personal level, especially where couples had been sincerely preparing for the occasion, there was clearly a genuine desire to bring more love into the couple relationship, and consequently into the home, the family and extended family, through forgiveness, renewal