The Faith Column

Being part of an organization that is identified with the Muslim faith offers many rewards but also many challenges. One of the greatest challenges has been the increased suspicion that now surrounds the work of Muslim aid agencies since 9/11. While being identified as a Muslim organization may have made things difficult it is also something that some communities we work with value in us. For individuals such as me ... read more

The tsunami was probably the most devastating experience that I have had. I arrived in Aceh one week after the disaster and was exposed to the worst destruction I have ever seen.

I saw miles and miles of devastation. Destroyed houses, bridges and roads. Tonnes and tonnes of silt which had been left after the water had retreated. Dead bodies were littered across the region. It amazed me that ... read more

In 2005 I was in Pakistan when the earthquake struck. I was in the capital Islamabad where I was stationed by Islamic Relief, and I was more than three hours drive from the epicentre, yet I still felt the sheer strength of the earthquake in my home. What struck me the most was the deafening noise released which was coming from the ground. This, combined with the rattling and shaking ... read more

It is difficult to say why I first became involved in aid work. It is something that I rarely think about unless someone asks me about it. I think that part of the reason may be because my origins are in the ‘less developed’ world. I have seen the other side of life, the life without glamour or any of the things we take for granted here in the UK. ... read more

When I teach about vocation at school, I often get asked by young students questions such as "How do you hear God's call?" or "How do you know when God is calling you?"

I find it a challenge to answer these kinds of questions, as there is no really satisfying answer for young, inquisitive minds. For me, I know I was certainly not ready to hear any kind of call ... read more

The Bahá’í faith is a distinct religion, based on the teachings of its Prophet-Founder, Bahá'u'lláh. In Persia, in the middle of the 19th century, he taught that all the world’s diverse faiths are in essence, one. An acceptance of the truth of all other religions, recognising them as authentic, divine sources of guidance for different timeframes, provides the foundation on which world unity can be built. It is a universally ... read more

Just about all cultures and religions once recognized the time when a child moves into adulthood.Some religions still honour the Coming of Age as a special time. But in our modern hurry up society, this remarkable event often gets over looked. We really disrespect our children by ignoring this time of their life.

Of course the big question is, when does a child become an adult. Some cultures ... read more

The Upanayana and investiture of the sacred thread (Yagnopvit or Janeu) are of profound importance to all Hindus regardless of birth or gender and marks the samskara (sacrament) that initiates a young person in to society.

Just as a child receives education thereby achieving mental development, similarly in the Hindu tradition the atman (spiritual entity) is cultivated through the samskaras. The authoritative and ancient Hindu scriptures, the Shastras, verify this– ... read more

We are presently in the midst of the Jewish festival of Passover. Each year we commemorate the historical events of the Exodus from Egypt and the subsequent birth of the Jewish nation. The highpoint is the Seder meal, where we sit down with family and friends and recite the traditional centuries-old Haggadah text which takes us on a whirlwind journey of the senses through Jewish history.

My oldest son is ... read more

For different people Passover will always bring to mind different things. For many people, Passover will always mean the frantic cleaning of the house for any trace of chametz – leavened food that is prohibited on Passover. For others it will bring to mind the matzah price wars between the supermarkets and local grocery stores. And for some, the genial atmosphere of the family meals springs to mind. However for ... read more

Walking down Western Road in Central Brighton on a Friday night often attracts surprised looks, as revellers are taken aback by the sight of a bearded rabbi clad in black, usually flanked by a few Kippah-wearing guests. To me, the surprised looks are not unusual. In fact, I often get similar astonishment from residents of my home community in Stamford Hill, when they learn that I live and work in ... read more

During the week of Passover this year, my wife and I will be welcoming to our home over 100 people.

As you can imagine, catering on such a scale has its own challenges, even the might of a Tesco Extra was unable to supply the full range of ingredients we would need to feed the masses. Notwithstanding the joy of picking out forty onions and obscene numbers of potatoes, ... read more