Local People Global Faiths

Transcription

1 Muslims, Buddhists and Bahá ís in Northern Ireland Local People Global Faiths Book 2 Colourpoint Educational James Nelson Norman Richardson

2 Contents Introduction 4 Islam What is Islam? 5 Who am I? 8 Who are we? 10 How do we worship? 13 What is there to celebrate? 15 What gives life meaning? 19 How do I know what s right and wrong? 21 Learning about and learning from Islam 23 Buddhism What is Buddhism? 25 Who am I? 29 Who are we? 33 How do we worship? 35 What is there to celebrate? 37 What gives life meaning? 39 How do I know what s right and wrong? 42 Learning about and learning from Buddhism 44 The Bahá í Faith What is the Bahá í Faith? 45 Who am I? 47 Who are we? 50 How do we worship? 52 What is there to celebrate? 54 What gives life meaning? 56 How do I know what s right and wrong? 58 Learning about and learning from the Bahá í Faith 59 Can religions work together? 60 Index 64 WebQuests for each religion are available at

3 Local People, Global Faiths 2 Al-Nisa Association NI Al-Nisa is a Northern Ireland Muslim women s organisation. It was set up in 1998 to provide support for Muslim women by creating a place where they could meet, make friends and have a chance to discuss issues which are important to them. It has grown as an organisation and provides a range of activities and classes, from Arabic language classes to badminton and keep-fit sessions. It also supports Muslim women in other areas of life such as health, childcare, education and employment. The Muslim community NIMFA members and guests of all ages outside their centre, during the Id-ul-Fitr celebrations NIMFA President Dr Mamoun Mobayed, at the tree-planting event with the Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Tom Ekin Many Muslims in Northern Ireland are proud of the contribution Muslims have made to the local community in the past and present. A treeplanting ceremony was carried out by the Lord Mayor of Belfast and members of NIMFA to symbolise the way in which the Muslim community now feels rooted and established in Northern Ireland. One young person who has put her roots down in Northern Ireland is Dana Jaber. Dana was born in Kuwait and moved to Northern Ireland when she was six. She won the All Children Together Award , for her contribution to integration at her school, Lagan College. It involved being part of the Justice Group at school, debating issues in class and representing the school outside... She has also taken part in radio interviews and was interviewed for a Save the Children publication. She did her work experience at the Northern Ireland Council for Ethnic Minorities (NICEM). Because she wants to be a lawyer, she worked in the Racial Harassment Project and also translated materials into Arabic. She was involved in the Make Poverty History Campaign and took part in a protest outside the City Hall with the Lord Mayor. Last year she raised money for the Samaritans. Dana is an active member of Al-Nisa and the Northern Ireland Muslim Family Association (NIMFA) and is a member of the youth groups of both organisations. The youth groups are planning cross community projects with churches, but mainly they offer classes for the members such as Arabic and Religious Studies, as well as discussions on issues which affect young Muslims here. Dana believes her activities show that, as a Muslim, she can still contribute to society. Moira McCombe and Dr MM Khan, Muslims in Northern Ireland (Al-Nisa Association NI, 2005) 12

4 Islam How do I know what s right and wrong? Muslims regard the Qur an as the word of Allah. It contains clear instructions about how to live a good life. The rules contained in the Qur an are true for all Muslims at all times, so they have not changed over the years. Muslim code of conduct Muslims are expected to follow a code of conduct. It is based on the Qur an and the sunnah, and is known as Shari ah Islamic law. The Arabic word literally means the road to the watering hole, and is often called the straight path (the most direct way to water in the desert). This is God s law and cannot be changed, although it must be interpreted by Muslim lawyers and scholars. Following the Five Pillars of Islam is regarded as a form of training to enable Muslims to live according to Shari ah. A passage in the Qur an states: This is My Straight Road, so follow it and do not follow paths which will separate you from His Path. Thus He has instructed you so that you may do your duty. Qur an, Surah 6:153 Let s now look at two examples of how Muslims might follow the guidance of the Qur an in their lives alcohol and the use of money. Alcohol Muslims believe it is wrong to drink alcohol because it stops you thinking clearly, especially when deciding right from wrong. It can also make you forget your duties, including religious duties. In many situations it leads to social problems such as arguments, fighting and crime. They ask you about intoxicants and games of chance. Say: In both of them there is a great sin and a means of profit for men, and their sin is greater than their profit. Qur an, Surah 2:219 A ctivity Alcohol Why do Muslims believe it is wrong to drink alcohol? What negative effects does alcohol have on our society? Give three suggestions as to how a young person might avoid the dangers associated with alcohol. Money The Qur an teaches that Muslims should be fair and honest in all that they do. They shouldn t do anything which might cause conflict in their relationships or in society in general. Gambling and taking risks with money can be very harmful, especially within a marriage and a family, and so it is forbidden. The Qur an also forbids the making of interest on loans of money, because it forces people into greater and greater debt and makes them dependent on others. Wealth should be shared, not hoarded. Muslims normally set up their own banks and financial systems. This is so that people cannot be taken advantage of by what Muslims see as unfair financial practices. Muhammad himself lived a simple life. One story tells about his daughter Fatima s marriage. It was the custom at the time to have large and expensive weddings. Muhammad didn t think this was fair, as many people didn t even have enough money to buy bread. So instead of giving Fatima gold and jewels as wedding gifts, he gave her dishes for her house and sheets for her bed. 21

5 Buddhism Who are we? The Potala Buddhist Centre The Potala Buddhist Centre was set up in Belfast in It is part of a network of centres across Britain and Ireland called the New Kadampa Tradition, established by a Buddhist monk from Tibet, Geshe Kelsang Gyatso. The main teacher at the centre is Kelsang Drolkar, an Irish-born Buddhist nun. L R: Geshe Kelsang Gyatso and Kelsang Drolkar There is a reception area downstairs and a meditation room with a Buddhist shrine upstairs. The centrepiece of the shrine is a large statue of the Buddha (Shakyamuni) and around this there are images of other Buddhas in different forms. There are also offerings at the base of the shrine, including food and water. These offerings are a way of showing respect to the Buddha. The meditation room is decorated with pictures of Buddhas. The shrine in the Potala Centre The exterior and reception area of the Potala Centre The Potala Centre runs meditation classes through the week for anyone who wishes to attend. You can see an example of their weekly activities below. Monday 7.30pm to 9.30pm meditation class Suited to those with or without previous experience of meditation. Each class is self-contained and consists of two guided meditations with instruction on how to apply these techniques to everyday life. Tuesday 1.00pm to 1.30pm lunchtime meditation These sessions are the perfect remedy for a stressful day at work. Using guided breathing meditation, they are a simple and effective way to calm and relax the mind. Wednesday 7.30pm to 9.30pm meditation and study class For those who wish to deepen their experience of Buddhism. Taken from 33

6 The Bahá í Faith Maryam Roohipour s mother, Rena, believes that Bahá ís have a huge contribution to make to society in Northern Ireland: As a minority religion our numbers are small, but our influence is often far-reaching. In a society divided by religious differences, we bring a strong message of religious unity and harmony. Bahá ís celebrate diversity and difference, and try to practise inclusion in all their activities. There is no typical Bahá í in Northern Ireland. There is a lot of diversity even in our small community. Being small in number has meant that Bahá ís are often active in raising awareness of religious and ethnic minorities in Northern Ireland. Their sense of being religiously united with other religious traditions frequently leads them to speak up on behalf of all those who belong to minority communities on issues such as Religious Education in schools, racism and equality. A ctivity Bahá í children learning the Faith Religious Education Many members of the Bahá í Faith and other minority faiths in Northern Ireland feel that Religious Education in primary and secondary schools should allow pupils to find out about a wide range of faiths and beliefs, not just Christianity. Do you agree? Imagine you are a member of a minority faith, such as the Bahá í Faith. What might you say about RE in schools? Work in pairs or groups to suggest ideas for RE lessons which would make pupils of all faiths and none feel included. Try to select the best idea and make a plan or outline of how the lesson would run. You could even prepare some resources for it. George Townshend ( ) became a minister in the Church of Ireland in He discovered the teachings of the Bahá í Faith and eventually left his role as a Christian minister to join the Faith. He became well known as a teacher and was also very closely involved with the work of the Guardian, Shoghi Effendi (see page 46), in translating into English the works of Bahá u lláh and Abdu l-bahá, along with other Bahá í writings. He is highly regarded by Bahá í communities in Ireland and around the world. Inside a Bahá í home If you were to visit the home of a Bahá í family you might recognise some of the features and symbols that are important to members of the Faith, although Bahá ís do not normally have special rooms or spaces devoted to prayer and worship, as in some other religions. It would be very common to find copies of the Bahá í scriptures and other spiritual books. A framed picture of the Greatest Name (see page 46) is likely to be hung on a wall higher than any other item in the room, or in some other special and prominent place. You may also see a picture of Abdu l-bahá in a special place and treated with respect. Bahá ís do not show pictures of Bahá u lláh or of the other Messengers of God (see page 56), in the same way as Muslims do not allow images of Muhammad. 51