Faith

A PRAYER meeting to remember the estimated 150,000 victims of the Haiti earthquake will be taking place on Wednesday.
Residents are invited to the multi-faith memorial at Harrow High School, Gayton Road, Harrow, at 7.30pm, to pay tribute to the disaster that struck the Caribbean nation on January 12.
The meeting is co-sponsored by Harrow councillor and London Assembly member for Harrow and Brent, Navin Shah, in his personal capacity, Rabbi Kathleen Middleton, of Harrow's Middlesex New Synagogue, Mary Hale, former chairwoman of Harrow Interfaith Council, and Dr Shuja Shafi from the Muslim Council of Britain.
There will be a collection made to contribute towards the emergency and rehabilitation work in Haiti.
Mr Shah said: "It's natural for Harrow's community to come together in the spirit of solidarity when a country and a community has suffered so badly.
"We'll be paying our tribute and remember all those who've lost their lives and suffered in Haiti from the earthquake.
"Whilst we'll be collecting funds at the meeting I'd urge everyone in our community to help the Haitians generously."

THE Zoroastrian Centre for Europe - the continental headquarters of the ancient Persian faith - has applied for a licence to serve booze, stage dances and play music.
But an immediate neighbour of the cinema-turned-place of worship in Alexandra Avenue, South Harrow, said he is worried the extra "noise and disturbance would be impossible to live with".

By Jon Clutton

North Harrow churches will be given a series of talks during Lent by Alan Millard, a professor of Hebrew and Ancient Semetic Languages.

During the five talks, held every Tuesday in March at 8pm, the Harrow-based lecturer will be discussing whether the Bible is a reliable record.

The series kicks off at St John Fisher, Imperial Close, Harrow, on March 3 and will discuss misleading myths such as the Bible code and The Da Vinci Code.

People met at Harrow Civic Centre on Sunday to pray for peace.

Councillor Navin Shah, (Labour) member for Brent and Harrow, jointly organised the meeting with the Middlesex New Synagogue, Muslim Council of Britain and Harrow Interfaith Council.

They prayed for all those who had lost their lives or have suffered during recent conflicts in the Middle East. The climax of the meeting was the signing of the Peace Declaration by almost 100 people.

Mr Shah said: "The gathering was a true reflection of the unity and harmony enshrined in Harrow's diverse community".

Representatives from nine faiths including Hinduism, Judaism and Sikhism read prayers as well as committed to maintaining peace and harmony amongst Harrow's diverse communities.

The fire brigade and police commander for Harrow are also to sign the declaration. Mr Shah is hoping to conduct regular meetings to reflect upon global crisis.

When asked what was gained from the meeting he said: "At a local level we saw the will to continue working for piece and solidarity. It is great to see the desire to live in Harmony."

Harrow's Interfaith Council has led a multi-faith prayer vigil for the victims in Mumbai at Harrow Civic Centre.

A two-minute silence was held in the main council chamber as representatives of nine different religions gathered to pay their respects to those killed by terrorist attacks in India. At least 170 people were killed after terrorists attacked the Taj Mahal and Oberoi-Trident hotels in Mumbai and other locations last month.

Mary Hale, chairman of the Harrow Interfaith Council, who chaired the vigil said: "The fact that the nine faiths are able to work together is a visible sign of the good relationships of the faiths in Harrow".

The mayor's chaplain, Rev Tony Rablen, delivered the opening prayer.

Those offering faith prayers at the event were: Martha Besser (Bahai); Rev David Tuck (Christian); Bharat Maharaj (Hindu); Dr Vinod Kapashi (Jain); Arik Yacobi (Jewish); Imam Mohammed Akram (Muslim); Paramjit Singh-Kohli (Sikh); Phiroza Gan (Zoroastrian) and Mary Hale (Buddhist).

More than 80 people attended the event, including the mayor and mayoress Councillors John and Joyce Nickolay, local faith leaders, community group representatives and a cross-party group of councillors of whom Councillors Anjana Patel, Paul Scott, Navin Shah and Bill Stephenson made speeches.