Archive for April, 2008
The speakers represent three different religious traditions: Islam, Christianity and Buddhism. Together they are seeking common ground and nothing less ambitious than a way towards world peace at an interfaith event in Annandale Street Mosque on Saturday 3 May.
This event, freely open to the public, is a local response to a global call for common understanding between the world’s great faiths. As Rev Brian Cooper explains, the Edinburgh InterFaith Association is supporting the event as a direct response to the Muslim document, A Common Word Between Us and You, calling for peace between Muslims and Christians.
The speakers are: Imam Dr Abduljalil Sajid JP a leading British Muslim actively involved in the international interfaith movement and respected for his work in seeking a meaningful interpretation of Islam for the 21st century;
Father Chris Boles, Director of the Lauriston Jesuit Centre, and Director of Justice and Peace in the Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh;
And, bringing the Buddhist perspect, Jon Bagust from the Edinburgh Community of Interbeing.
Everyone is invited to this event arranged by World Disarmament Campaign Inter-faith Peace Work with Annandale Street Mosque and supported by Edinburgh Inter-Faith Association..
Saturday 7pm 3May Annandale Street Mosque
April 30th, 2008
Please sign this petition in support of Zimbabwean people. Everyone has a right to self determination and to peace. So please sign on and send the message to others to support the course. Celina Mbwiria
Leith Open Space members have signed petitions supporting the struggle for democracy in Zimbabwe. It seems such a little thing to do in support of people whose suffering we see on television screens from the distant comfort of our homes.
But there is inspiring work going on. Celina Mbwiria, a supporter of Leith Open Space who took part in our Opening Doors shadow scheme last year, has sent us the link to an internet campaign which seems well worth supporting.
Avaaz is “a new global web movement with a simple democratic mission: to close the gap between the world we have, and the world most people everywhere want. ” They are organising a petition to send to South African president Tabu Mbeke who may have some influence on Robert Mugabe.
We are also supporting the work of ACTSA – the successor to the Anti-apartheid movement – who are now sending petitions to the leaders of neighbouring Tanzania and Zambia. And on Friday April 18 ACTSA are mobilising a demonstration outside the Zimbabwean embassy in London in support of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions which is staging a strike from Tuesday 15 April until the full election results are released.
If you know of any other constructive action being taken please let us know.
PS Malcolm Chisholm, MSP for Edinburgh North and Leith has emailed us to say he has signed the petition too.
April 17th, 2008
Welcome to the April newsletter with news of a project to help people in poverty and a chance to air your views on Leith’s development plans. And much more: if you want to promote the work of your community group see Telford’s Diversity Day; if your community group needs somewhere to meet see Meeting Room Available; and if you want a little healthy exercise come and join Leith Open Space (see Ground breaking help wanted ) because Persevere Community Garden opened just a month ago!
April 10th, 2008
Would you like to promote the work of your community group? Mike Cowley is organising the Leith Open Space stall at Telford College Diversity Day on 24 April and will be very happy to display leaflets and posters about your activities.
During Diversity Day, a student festival of learning, Telford College has invited organisations to set up displays to encourage students to think about diversity and equality, sustainability and citizenship.
Leith Open Space stall will set up around 10.30 am. The event will last all day. If you would like to take part in our stall we would be delighted to hear from you. Either post details in the comment space below, or email us at leithopenspace@btconnect.com
“We recognise and value diversity, as we believe that the resulting culture of inclusiveness is beneficial to all.” Telford College
April 9th, 2008
Are you looking for a meeting room for your community group? Davie Thomson, chair of Redbraes Residents Association, is keen to make good use of the community hut he runs with local residents. He has a room to spare with kitchen and toilets, “All we need is a donation towards heating costs,” he says.
Redbraes is a very active group with great plans for a community garden (more about that in a few weeks). Their community hut is in Redbraes park on Broughton Road, just past the old Powderhall Stadium. Right now it is surrounded by daffodils. For more information contact Davie at the Redbraes email address: redbraes@blueyonder.co.uk
April 8th, 2008
Caught on CCTV: volunteers from Leith Open Space in Persevere Community Garden. “You’ve been working hard,” commented the concierge when we went to return the key to the walled garden. He’d been watching us on the screen.
This is a challenging piece of ground. After two hours of heavy digging with spade, fork and mattock (that’s the evil looking object you can see in the corner), we had covered one third of the plot we are sharing with Greener Leith. In that time we dug up several empty bottles and cans, a huge concrete block, lots of stones and two very optimistic worms (or was that the same worm twice?).
Never mind going to the gymn, never mind jogging: if you want to burn off a few calories this is definitely the way to do it. So if you want to help please don’t hesitate to get in touch. We might even lend you the mattock…
There’s lots of hard work going on. Congratulations to Greener Leith volunteers who have been hard at work since the opening – most of the spiky berberis bushes round the edge of the garden have been cleared away. Persevere Community Flat have got their plot dug already. And there are buds on all our fruit trees!
Posted by Fay
April 7th, 2008