EDINBURGH INTER-FAITH WEEK (with extended programme) ‘bringing people together’
23rd November – 30th November '08
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The Edinburgh Inter-Faith Association is delighted to offer this programme of events for Inter-Faith Week 2008. It is a joy for us to see inter-faith dialogue, relations and cooperation growing throughout the city. This growth in activity is entirely dependent on an increasing number of dedicated people from across the religious traditions and we thank them.
We wish to see a widening and deepening of inter-faith encounter and engagement now and in the future. We hope you will take the opportunity to attend as many events as you can and that you will encourage your family, friends and colleagues to do the same. It is our individual and collective responsibility to contribute to building a community of respect, understanding, trust, co-operation and peace.
Inter-Faith Week gives us the opportunity to reach out to our neighbours with a hand of friendship. The City of Edinburgh Council and The Scottish Government are our main sponsors and we are extremely grateful to them for their deep commitment and support of inter-faith work in Edinburgh and across Scotland.
Donald Reid Kalyanavaca
Co-Convener Co-Convener
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FULL PROGRAMME
17th November - 4th December (with films 7th & 14th December)
ROUND TABLE DIALOGUES
There will be a number of invitation-only round table dialogues on issues such as equalities, community safety, the right to die, ethics and finance and Israel/Palestine. If you have experience in any of these topics and would like to be considered for invitation please email us at info@eifa.org.uk or call us on 0131 228 8146
Monday 17th November - 5.30pm - FREE
The Gifford Lecture – The University of Edinburgh
‘Why Does Faith Survive?’ - Chief Rabbi Sir Jonathan Sacks
The Chief Rabbi, Sir Jonathan Sacks will deliver a Single Gifford Lecture at the University of Edinburgh. Prior to becoming Chief Rabbi, Rabbi Sacks had been Principal of Jews’ College, London, the world’s oldest rabbinical seminary, as well as rabbi of the Golders Green and Marble Arch synagogues in London. He gained rabbinic ordination from Jews’ College as well as from London’s Yeshiva Etz Chaim.
Venue: Playfair Library, Old College, South Bridge, Edinburgh
Organised by and for tickets:
College of Humanities & Social Science, The University of Edinburgh
55 George Square, Edinburgh EH8 9JU, Tel: 0131 651 3168
Tuesday 18th November - 10.30am
Three Faith Forum - Christian Jewish Muslim Dialogue
Continuing the local dialogue for understanding, respect and co-operation.
This is a closed meeting of Imams, Ministers, Rabbis and other invited lay representatives of the three great religious traditions of Middle East origin.
Venue: City of Edinburgh Methodist Church, Nicolson Square
Thursday 20th November 7pm – 9pm - FREE
INTRODUCTION TO THE HEART OF THE WORLD’S RELIGIONS: A MODEL FOR UNDERSTANDING
by Rev Prof Frank Whaling, Emeritus Professor of The Study of Religion and President of the Edinburgh Inter-Faith Association.
This event is also promoting the January – March 2009 ten week evening course that introduces the major world religions. The course beginning in January 2009 will be held at St Georges West Church in Shandwick Pl. For further details on this very interesting course please contact: 0131 225 7001 or visit www.eifa.org.uk/ to download a leaflet.
Venue for this talk: Edinburgh Baha’i Centre, 44 Albany Street, Edinburgh
Saturday 22nd November
Inter-Faith Women’s Group Visit to St Mungo Museum of Religious Life and Art in Glasgow
Meet at St Mungo's by 11.00 am for a guided tour. For those planning to going by train to Glasgow, it is suggested that people catch the Edinburgh to Glasgow Queens Street service leaving Waverley at 9.30 am
Sunday 23rd November - 2.00pm – 4.00pm - FREE
MEET YOUR MUSLIM NEIGHBOUR
The Muslim Community at Central Mosque invites you look around the Mosque and meet community members. Visitors will witness prayers and hear a short introductory talk on Islam and the Mosque. There will also be a short question and answer time. Your hosts will offer light snacks and refreshments.
Venue: Edinburgh Central Mosque, Potterrow, Edinburgh
downloadable poster
Sunday 23rd November - 7.00pm – 9.00pm - FREE
Big Inter-Faith Quiz Night!
How much do you think you know about the world’s major faith traditions? Well here’s your chance to test your knowledge at Edinburgh’s first ever Inter-Faith Quiz Night! Questions will cover a number of categories including: festivals, sacred texts, pilgrimage, prophets and many more.
You can enter a team of up to six people or you can enter individually and join a team on the night. Entry is completely free of charge. It’s not the winning it’s the taking part
To help fuel your brains there will be free tea and cakes supplied by the famous Falko Konditormeister bakery (all kosher).
For further information and to enter a team please contact:
Tom Lea: tom@eifa.org.uk tel: 0131 228 8146 or visit our website: www.eifa.org.uk
Venue: City of Edinburgh Methodist Church, Nicolson Square
Monday 24th November – 7.00pm - FREE
Hope into Homes - Interfaith in Action
An opportunity not to be missed!
Why not be part of an interfaith team going to Malawi to build with Habitat for Humanity, 11-25 July 2009. Come and here The next planning meeting is on 24 November at Nicolson Square Methodist Church at 7pm, when the work of HFH will be explained and stories of the 2008 build in Malawi shared. Bring friends along as well.
For more information contact: Deidre Homer – deehomer@blueyonder.co.uk
Venue: City of Edinburgh Methodist Church, Nicolson Square
Tuesday 25th November - 9.30am – 11.30am
Conference of Edinburgh’s Religious Leaders and Faith Community Representatives
An invitation only event.
Dunedin Room, City Chambers
Tuesday 25th November – 7.15pm - FREE
Keynote Conversation Event on:
‘The Right to Die’
with Margo MacDonald MSP and Rev. Ewan Aitken
Our guest speakers will discuss this complex and highly contentious issue. There will also be a wider discussion which will invite views and questions from the audience.
Venue: St John’s Church (Corner of Princes St. and Lothian Rd.)
downloadable poster
Wednesday 26th November – 7pm - FREE
Inter-Faith Women’s Event
(Part of 16 days of activism against Gender Violence)
Women of Peace We Honour
A sharing of stories of women involved in conflict resolution and peace making.
Venue: City of Edinburgh Methodist Church, Nicolson Square
Thursday 27th November - 1.30pm – 3.30pm
Joint Schools Event @ Gracemount High School
QUESTION TIME with EDINBURGH’S RELIGIOUS LEADERS
A panel of Edinburgh’s Religious Leaders will address a series of questions from high school pupils and teaching staff on a range of topical issues with a focus on values and ethics.
This event is by invitation only organised in partnership with Gracemount High School and The Edinburgh Inter-Faith Association
Keynote Conversation
Thursday 27 November, 6pm - 7pm - FREE
GLORY TO GOD IN THE …. HIGH ST ?
Has Christmas been hijacked by the high street and by Christmas binge shopping? What effect does this have on families and especially on the poor – and people of other faiths, or none ? What, if anything, remains of the celebration of one born into poverty and vulnerability?
An open discussion with contributors from different religions and from key city organisations and a chance afterwards to enjoy festive refreshments, a Christmas Carol or two (lead by St John’s Choir) and enjoy and chance to do some ethical Christmas shopping in the St John’s Lower Terrace.
First in a series ‘Money, Money, Money’ looking at ethics and finance.
Venue: St John’s Church, Princes St (corner of Lothian Rd), Edinburgh
(followed by refreshments / ethical shopping… )
downloadable poster
Friday 28th November - 10pm – 6am
Rock Trust Sleepout 2008
@ St Andrews and St Georges, George Street.
For details see www.rocktrust.org or call 0131 557 4059
Saturday 29th November - 11am
5-a-Side Football
Inter-Faith All-Stars v. Public Services No Stars
Venue: The World of Football, Corn Exchange
Spectators welcome
Saturday 29 November - 7.30pm
ONE WORLD SHOP 25TH ANNIVERSARY - Meal and Ceilidh
at St John’s, Princes St (corner of Lothian Rd), Edinburgh
To celebrate 25 years of fair trading join us for a meal in Cornerstone Café followed by a ceilidh in St John’s hall. More details and tickets available at the One World Shop (0131 229 4541 or rfarey@oneworldshop.co.uk ). All welcome.
Sunday 30th November 9.45am – 11.00am
Inter-Faith Week Service at St John’s
Guest Speaker – Imam Muhammad Ashafa from Nigeria
RELIGIONS OF PEACE ?
Imam Muhammad Ashafa will speak about the inspiration behind the Interfaith Mediation Centre in Kaduna, Nigeria where Christian and Muslim communities clashed violently in December 2002.
St John’s, Princes St (corner of Lothian Rd), Edinburgh
Sunday 30th November – 2.00pm – 4.00pm - FREE
MEET YOUR THAI BUDDHIST NEIGHBOUR
The Thai Buddhist Community invites you look around their temple and meet community members both ordained and lay. Visitors will hear a short introductory talk on Thai Buddhism and the temple. There will also be a short question and answer time. Your hosts will offer light snacks and refreshments.
Venue: Edinburgh Thai Buddhist Temple, 199 Slateford Road, Edinburgh
downloadable poster
Sunday 30th November - 4.30pm FREE
Edinburgh Winter Festivals - Nativity Carol Concert
The true spirit of Christmas will be celebrated this Sunday, when Edinburgh’s Nativity carol concert takes place amid the hustle and bustle of the Christmas festivities. The city will come together for an afternoon of song and the chance to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas. The Nativity Carol Concert and the Nativity Scene give the people of Edinburgh, and those visiting, the opportunity to remember the heart of Christmas and the very special reasons we celebrate it. His Eminence Cardinal Keith Patrick O'Brien, Moderator of the Edinburgh Presbytery, The Reverend Andrew Anderson and Bishop Brian Smith of the Episcopalian Church will bless Tim Chalk's striking Nativity Scene.
Princes Street Gardens, by the Floral Clock, Foot of the Mound
Sunday 30th November at 7.30 pm Cost: £3/ Concs £2
EDINBURGH JEWISH LITERARY SOCIETY
(founded 1888/5649)
is delighted to announce a conversation event on:
Stem Cell Research: Religious teachings and their influence on the attitudes of the scientific community
Josh Brickman, who is a distinguished researcher, well known in the Jewish Community, will lead a discussion with Rabbi David Rose and Dr Murdo Macdonald, Policy Officer on the Society, Religion and Technology Project of the Church of Scotland on the extremely topical subject of stem cell research. The discussion will particularly focus on how attitudes to such research are influenced by the teachings of various religions and the view of the scientific community to such attitudes.
Tea will be available from 7.00 pm
Marian Oppenheim Hall
Hebrew Congregation Synagogue
4 Salisbury Road, Edinburgh
Monday 1st December
World Aids Day
There are a number of events in the City with a focus on World Aids Day. These include public events at: South Leith Parish Church, St John’s Episcopal Church (west end) and The City of Edinburgh Methodist Church
Monday 1st December - 6.00pm - FREE
Inter-Faith Week Community Meal
This month we will invite as special guests representatives from NHS Lothian, the City’s Equalities Forums and officers from City of Edinburgh Council and Lothian and Borders Police
Places are very limited and will be allocated on a first come basis. To book a place call Tom Lea on 0131 228 8146 or email tom@eifa.org.uk
Venue: St John’s Church, Church Hall, Lothian Rd.
Tuesday 2 December, 7.30pm – 9pm - FREE
Keynote Conversation Event
THE DANISH CARTOON CONTROVERSY
Mogens Mogenson, author of From Cartoon Crisis to Headscarf Row, analyses the conflicts of the cartoon crisis in 2005 and the headscarf row in 2007 in Denmark and the attempts at dialogue between Muslims and Christians in Denmark in this period. Mogens Mogenson will be in conversation with Iain McWhirter, political journalist and Osama Saeed of Scottish Islamic Foundation.
Venue: St John’s, Princes St (corner of Lothian Rd), Edinburgh
downloadable poster
Thursday 4 December 7.15pm - FREE
One 2 One – The Heart of the Matter
This meeting of hearts and minds is proposed as Inter-Spiritual Conversations in a small group and on a one to one basis.
The session will be facilitated by Rev. Kate Atchley and will consider questions such as:
• What aspects of your religious/spiritual worship or practice is most important to you and why?
• When you find yourself in a crisis or challenging situation, to what religious or spiritual teachings or practice do you turn, and how does this help you?
• What difference does your religious/spiritual worship or practice make in the way you lead your life, day to day?
There will be a limit on the number of people who can participate. Those who wish to be part of it please email or call us to register your name and for the venue details.
e. info@eifa.org.uk t. 0131 228 8146
Edinburgh University – Labyrinths - FREE
Tuesday 25th November – 11am – 3pm
Edinburgh University – Chaplaincy Centre, Bristo Square
The indoor Labyrinth is open for walking
Monday 24th – Friday 28th November – 7am – 4pm
Edinburgh University – George Square Labyrinth
The main outdoor University Labyrinth in George Sq. will be open to the public during the day on weekdays throughout Inter-Faith Week … all are welcome to use it.
FILM @ THE FILMHOUSE CINEMA
7th December
Trouble Sleeping @ 3.00 pm
Robert Rae / United Kingdom / 2008 / 102 mins
Hassan Naama, Alia Alzougbi, Waseem Uboaklain, Okan Yahsi, Robert Softely, Seham Ali, Fouad Cherif, Nihat Kaya
A fragile community is disrupted when secrets come to light.
Putting her old life in Palestine behind her, Halla has forged a successful career in Edinburgh. But when a figure from her past shows up unexpectedly, Halla must choose between old loyalties and new stability. This first feature from Edinburgh's Theatre Workshop – a company that collaborates with community groups to address the issues that affect them – burns with relevance. Rawedged, relevant, and crafted by passionate collective effort, it's inspiring, provocative stuff.
The director of Trouble Sleeping, Robert Rae, will be attending the screening
Prices: £4.80/ £3.20 Concessions (ie unwaged)
14th December
Azur and Azmar @ 1.00
Two boys, blue-eyed Azur, the son of a French nobleman, and Asmar, the son of his African nurse, are brought up together as brothers but are separated in a cruel twist of fate. Years later they are reunited as adults in a magical quest to rescue a fairy princess who was the subject of their bedtime stories. A glorious, Arabian Nights-style fairy tale with stunningly beautiful and vibrant animation.
Prices: £4.80/ £3.20 Concessions (ie unwaged)
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EXHIBITION
Tuesday 18th November – Saturday 13th December 2008 - FREE
‘Identity’ Exhibition – Muslim and Sikh Young Men
An exhibition reflecting on and celebrating an innovative project focused on local Muslim and Sikh young men. The Exhibition features a number of free standing exhibition boards and a range of wall mount material.
Visitors will receive an informative high quality project book to take away.
Project stakeholders: Scottish Government, City of Edinburgh Council, Lothian & Borders Police, Edinburgh Inter-Faith Association, Edinburgh Muslim Community, Edinburgh Sikh Community, The Pumphouse Trust and The Robin Leith Trust.
Venue: St George’s West Church, Shandwick Place, Edinburgh
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School Group Visits
Schools are encouraged to take the opportunity of visiting one or a number of diverse places of worship in Edinburgh during this Inter-Faith Festival such as the Hebrew Congregation Synagogue, Central Mosque, the Sikh Gurdwara or the Thai Buddhist Temple. Please contact these places directly. Contact information can be found on our website at www.eifa.org.uk
Educational School Visits by Religious Leaders
A number of Edinburgh’s Religious Leaders and Faith Community Representatives will make visits to Schools in the Edinburgh and wider Lothians area. They will engage in short educational presentations to assist understanding of the world’s religions and the diversity of belief and practices. They will also engage in question and answer sessions on their respective faith tradition as well as challenging local and global matters of concern. For schools who would like to take up these opportunities please call the Edinburgh Inter-Faith Association on 0131 228 8146
A Call to the Religious Communities of Edinburgh, and the Lothian and Borders areas
Places of worship and spiritual practice across Edinburgh and the Lothian’s are encouraged to support and acknowledge the Edinburgh Inter-Faith Week in their services, prayer times or gatherings (23rd November – 30th November)
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Early Announcements:
Thursday 22nd January 2009 – 7.15pm - FREE
Edinburgh Inter-Faith Association 20th Anniversary Year
Keynote Launch Lecture with The Rt. Hon. Alex Salmond MSP, First Minister of Scotland
Venue: St John’s Church, Edinburgh (corner of Princes St and Lothian Rd.)
For tickets: 0131 228 8146 or email info@eifa.org.uk
Monday 26th January 2009 – 7.15pm - FREE
Holocaust Memorial Day Civic Commemoration
Keynote Speaker
Rabbi Awraham Soetendorp
Child Survivor
President of World Union for Progressive Judaism – European Region
C100 member of World Economic Forum
Also: Music, Song, Poetry, Silence, Spoken Word, Reflection
Venue: St Thomas Aquinas High School
For Tickets: 0131 228 8146 or email info@eifa.org.uk
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