{"id":1737,"date":"2019-08-16T15:43:47","date_gmt":"2019-08-16T14:43:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/globalindianstories.com\/?p=1737"},"modified":"2019-08-18T16:37:16","modified_gmt":"2019-08-18T15:37:16","slug":"eid-al-adha-celebrated-in-scotland-with-an-inter-faith-dinner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/globalindianstories.org\/index.php\/2019\/08\/16\/eid-al-adha-celebrated-in-scotland-with-an-inter-faith-dinner\/","title":{"rendered":"Eid al-adha celebrated in Scotland with an inter-faith dinner"},"content":{"rendered":"

The\u00a0fifth\u00a0<\/span>annual Eid al-Adha, celebrating the Sacrifice of the Prophet Abraham and the end of the Hajj, was observed in Scotland by the Scottish Ahlul Bayt Society (SABS), through an\u00a0interfaith Eid dinner on 13 August at the MacDonald Hotel near the Scottish Parliament.<\/span><\/p>\n

With the aim to\u00a0strengthen the bonds of friendship and fellowship between the Muslims and the esteemed members of Scotland’s faith families, SABS celebrated the festival by sharing a meal with guests from all faiths to mark the auspicious Islamic festival.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Banner on the occasion had a quote from Im\u0101m<\/span>\u02bf<\/span>Al\u012b b. Ab\u012b \u1e6c\u0101lib, that set the mood for the evening. The banner read:\u00a0<\/span>Man is either your Brother in Faith, or your Equal in Humanity<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

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The annual event this year had esteemed guests Ash Denham MSP, present on behalf of First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, the Rev Colin Sinclair, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland,\u00a0His Grace Archbishop Leo Cushley; the Most Reverend Mark Strange Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church,\u00a0and Rev David Pickering, Moderator of the National Synod of Scotland.\u00a0Puneet Dwivedi from Hindu Forum of London represented the Hindu community.<\/span><\/p>\n

The keynote speech was played out through a video by Mother Audrey Kitagawa, Chair of the Parliament of World’s Religions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Minister\u00a0Ash Denham MSP started the opening speech saying that the “first minister wants to be here so much and she asked that I send you her apologies for being unable to be here this evening, and to wish you all a very successful event. However, I am delighted to be here with you on her behalf and to celebrate the holy festival of Eid al-adha with you this evening”.<\/p>\n

She continued, “for Muslims here and all around the world, it’s a time for reaffirming the values of your faith – those values of devotion, thanksgiving, and charity are truly universal. And that is one of the reasons why we see Muslims and non-Muslims alike coming together to celebrate”.<\/p>\n

She acknowledged that the scale of Eid celebration in this country involving people from all faiths, demonstrated the central role that Scotland’s Muslim community plays in Scottish national life. “Scottish Muslims have helped to shape Scotland’s modern identity and continue to enrich our economy, culture and society,” she said.<\/p>\n

The Chief Imam Syed Ali Abbas Razwi mentioned in his speech those things that make Scotland a unique place for all faiths to come together and highlighted the importance of diversity and the challenges we face.<\/span><\/p>\n\r\n