The first ever Interfaith Week in England was launched on 7th November. Jyoti Mehta representing the Institute on the Interfaith Network Board, co-ordinated the activities arranged by various Jain organisations. Her perseverence and ethusiasm for promoting awareness of Jain philosophy amongst other faiths led to a very successful participation by the Jain community. She has compiled the following report on the week.
This year, between 15th and 21st November, the Jain community actively participated in the first National Inter Faith Week. The Week was jointly organised by the Inter Faith Network and the Government. Jainism was represented at numerous events. The week was a huge success and the community should continue to work to foster these interfaith relations throughout the year.
Official Launch of Inter Faith Week
Thursday 12th November was the official launch of Inter Faith Week. I (Jyoti) was selected as one of ten youth to give a short speech about interfaith and my own religion. The event, at Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre, had numerous faith organisations who had their own displays. The Jain Samaj of Europe volunteers hosted the Jain display stand. Here is a copy of the speech that I delivered:
Respected friends, good afternoon. My name is Jyoti and I am a practicing Jain from Croydon. I work as a production assistant for Red Bee Media, which provides subtitles for television. When I am not subtitling the news, I enjoy dedicating my time to the Jain community and interfaith activities, and it is for this reason that I’ve been invited to speak today.
I am currently one of the youngest Trustees of the Inter Faith Network, and this is the result of a journey which started at university when my interest in interfaith dialogue was really sparked. One of the foundational qualities described in Jainism is maitri, or universal friendship. The idea of universal friendship had always taught me to theoretically extend friendship to people of all faiths, but it was only when I became involved with other faith communities that I could actively practice this friendship. Engaging in interfaith dialogue at university educated me, inspired me and provided me with new friends. This ancient philosophy of universal friendship, maitri, was no longer academic for me, but real and I understood how important it is not just for social harmony, but also for spiritual progression. We are one of the smallest faith communities in this country, but we are absolutely committed to extending our friendship as far as it can reach throughout society.
It is interesting to note that our translation of maitri is not just friendship, but universal friendship, and this is because we embrace all living souls, including plants and animals into this companionship. The central philosophy of Jainism is Ahimsa, non-violence. Expressed in positive terms, this means compassionate love. Because we consider nature and animals to be fellow sentient souls, Jains are committed vegetarians, and we see this as key to protecting animals, the environment and even humanity. Vegetarianism is not just a diet for us – it is a way in which we practically express our compassion. By consuming a non-violent diet, this extrapolates for us into a wider aim to be non-violent in every single thing that we do, in thought, speech and action. As a result of this central philosophy of Ahimsa, the Jain community has for centuries been closely associated with environmentalism, sustainable living and supporting of animal welfare and animal sanctuaries. The Jain community in the UK, including the youth, continue to live by these virtues and share them with wider society.
On that note, I’d just like to conclude this presentation by inviting you to view the exhibition boards, many of which demonstrate this friendship and compassion in action, not just by the Jain community, but by all faith communities. Thank you and enjoy Inter Faith Week!
Bedford Council of Faiths
The Bedford Council of Faiths organised their second annual Faith Fest at the Newnham Middle School, Bedford, where 9 major faiths had setup their stands to explain their beliefs to the visiting school children and answer their questions. Over 600 children with their teachers and supervisors visited the Fest at appointed times during the two days: 11th and 12th November.
Mr Bipinchandra Shah of Bedford had kindly organised the Jain stand on behalf of the Institute of Jainology. Dr Harshad N Sanghrajka attended on the first day and Mrs Kusum V Shah and Mrs Vibhuti M Mehta (SCVP South) attended on the second day. A banner of JAINpedia was displayed prominently and brochures and information on Jainism and JAINpedia were handed out to teachers and supervisors for use in their schools. Further information is available at
http://www.local-news.tv/your_townvillage/bedford/
Jain Contribution in Interfaith Understanding
On 7th November, Jain Network UK organised a seminar at JVB Sayer Centre with the title above, which was attended by approximately 50 people. Participants from approximately seven faith communities participated in seminars about social philanthropy, pluralism and ecological concerns.
Open Day at Oshwal Centre, Potters Bar
Some 30 people visited the Jain Temple at Oshwal centre on Sunday 15th November, the start of Inter Faith Week. Some 10 local firemen came with their two fire engines. A Westmister group consisting of 20 people form various faiths also attended. Both groups found the talk given by Vijaybhai very interesting and were all impressed with the Deraser and beauty of how it looks. Many questions were asked and answered and they enjoyed the refreshments. Many of the visitors plan to come again and bring some more people to the centre soon. All those who came were impressed with the Jain way of life and seemed to have gained some knowledge of Jainism. It has hopefully created the right image for OAUK as part of the Inter Faith Week and Jainism.
Representation at Other Events
On 18th November, Vinodbhai Kapashi spoke at the Zoroastrian Hall on Rayners Lane on the subject of Philanthropy and Religion. It was organised by the Faith Based Regeneration Network and the Zoroastrian Centre. The event was also attended by Nemubhai Chandaria and Harshadbhai Sanghrajka from the Institute of Jainology. Vinodbhai also attended an event organised by Harrow Interfaith Council and spoke on the subject of Religion and Law. Prafulaben Shah spoke at and attended an InterFaith event at Imperial College on 18th November, which was attended by over 300 people.
Croydon Ghar Derasar Open Day
Despite atrocious weather on 21st November, the Ghar Derasar, South London Mahajanwadi had quite a few visitors, including the local MP and teachers from local schools. Kishor Bhimji Shah conducted three presentations and guided tours. Visitors were informed of the significance of some of the items in the Derasar and the afternoon visitors in particular enjoyed observing the regular satsang that was taking place at the time. The visitors commented on the tranquil atmosphere and found the Jain faith and Jain way of life very interesting and illuminating.
In Tune With God – by Roshni Gudhka
It was a typical British November evening… Or was it? On the eve of Friday 20th November 2009, four different faiths gathered together to celebrate Inter Faith Week. The event was called In Tune with God, a joint Young Jains & Bhakti Mandal venture, supported by the Zartoshty Brothers Hall, Zoroastrian Centre. The faiths were Jain, Zoroastrian, Baha’i and Christian and the event was to celebrate the diversity of these faiths in a respectful environment. All four faiths were invited to sing some of their most devotional prayers/hymns/songs for the audience, and also explain a little about the main principles of their beliefs.
The Christian faith was represented by children from St Joseph’s Roman Catholic Primary School, who beautifully sang 3 hymns and sent warm vibrations throughout the hall. A very talented 16-year old named Cassandra Cheng sang the popular classic song Hallelujah. The Zoroastrian faith was represented by children from the Zartoshty Brothers Hall, who sang some of their prayers in a colourful and harmonious way. The Baha’i faith was represented by Edit McCathie, a Harrow resident, who has represented her faith at various events over the years. The Jain faith was represented by Young Jains, Bhavik Haria & Raveena Nagaria on vocals and Kavit Haria on tabla, and also by Prafula Shah, Nilam Shah, Nimuben Haria and Jayshree Shah from Bhakti Mandal, who sang 3 beautiful songs that truly represented devotion to the Jain faith.
YJ Sweet Harmony Team – photo by Meheer Shah
One person who attended, Debra V. Wilson from America said, “The event was moving, inspiring and uplifting. I felt completely welcomed and at ease as the only Muslim in the audience. And coming from a mixed faith home (my father was Catholic and my mother was Muslim) the theme of the night, ‘respect differences and celebrate the similarities’ resonated with me on a personal level.”
Young representatives from the Zoroastrian Community – photo by Meheer Shah
The event ended with the whole congregation singing ‘Maitri Bhavnu Pavitra Zarnu’, which is a universal song of peace. ■
As co-ordinator of the Jain participation in Inter Faith Week, I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the organisations which participated so enthusiastically in Inter Faith Week – Jyoti