Committee for Interreligious Dialogue
The Scottish Bishops' Committee for Interreligious Dialogue exists to make Catholics and others aware of the importance of interreligious dialogue within the life of the Church. Enjoy browsing this site to discover more about the work of the Committee and how you might get involved.
Interfaith News & Events from the Scottish Bishops' Committee
30 April - Read the letter from Bishop Brian McGee to the Jain Community for their festival of Mahavir Janma Kalyanak Diwas; Interfaith Glasgow and Interfaith Scotland are hosting an online conference on May 24th to prepare for COP26 - click for details; Read our latest Guest Blog from Fr Victor Edwin SJ on Ramadan; see the Letters of Greeting for Ramadan from Bishop Brian and from the Pontifical Council; read the statement from Scotland's Religious Leaders concerning the CoP26 Climate Conference in Glasgow; visit "JC Relations" - a website dedicated to study and other resources on Jewish-Christian relations.
The Theme for Scottish Interfaith Week 2021
Interfaith Scotland have announced that the theme for Scottish Interfaith Week this year, from 31st October to 7th November, will be 'Together for Our Planet'. Click here to read more about the preparations already underway to celebrate the week.
Alongside the conference on May 24th and the the recent statement of the Scottish Religious Leaders Forum the faith communities of Scotland are leading the way in public and civil engagement with the COP 26 climate conference, and we look forward to seeing Scotland and her people at their engaged best when the eyes of the world will be upon us.
Reflecting on the Ramadan Fast
Dear Friends,
I would like to extend my greetings of the Holy month of Ramadan.
As many sent their Ramadan greetings before the start of this month. I thought I'd share this message after my first fast. I closed fast today at 3.50 am and opened the fast at 8.28 pm. I have to admit I did struggle. I did practise fasting when my family were away however it seems that practise was in vain. I either blame them or the fact that I didn't drink a lot of water. To be on the safe side I'd probably say the latter 🙂
On a serious note, this is perhaps the holiest month for Muslims. We endure the pangs of hunger so we can empathise with the marginalised. We are encouraged to give lots away in charity. We spend the nights in worship and the days in reciting scripture. The Iftaar meal has always been an important meal since we break bread with others. I fondly remember my Interfaith Iftaar meals with people from different faiths.
I pray you and your loved ones are safe.
Sallam,
Hassan Rabbani
Food For Thought...
Dialogue is born from an attitude of respect for the other person, from conviction that the other person has something good to say. It assumes that there is room in the heart for the person’s point of view, opinion and proposal. To dialogue entails a cordial reception, not a prior condemnation. In order to dialogue, it is necessary to know how to lower the defenses, open the doors of the house, and offer human warmth.
Pope Francis
