Most Recent E-Bulletin – 15 July 2015

We publish fortnightly e-bulletins – with information on events, resources and funding. Read our latest edition, published on Wednesday 15 July. Please contact us with any news or information that you would like to have included in future editions. Please forward this to anyone who may be interested in being added to our email list.

Send any event information to me at johanna@bristolmultifaithforum.org.uk.

Read the e-bulletin here

Recent terror attacks

We have seen dreadful things happen in France, Tunisia and Kuwait. Let the prayers of all people of faith, whatever their faith, be for the people who have been hurt, bereaved and terrorised and for communities now living in fear. And may people of faith across all of our communities say together that such acts of violence are never acceptable – and stand together to build stronger and stronger peace with words and actions where ever we can.
(Tracey Lewis – Chair of Bristol Multi Faith Forum)

Faith festivals in July

See here for a list of faith festivals for major religions in July 2015.

July 5th

Sikh – Birthday of Guru Hargobind (1595 – 1644) the sixth of the Sikh Gurus.

 

July 7th

Japanese – Tanabata – Star Festival – celebrating the time when the stars Vega and Altair meet across the Milky Way.

 

July 9th

Baha’i – Martyrdom of the Bab – this day, on which the Bab was executed in 1850, is kept with prayer.

 

July 13th

Muslim – Lailat-Ul Qadr – the twenty-seventh night of Ramadan commemorates the first revelation to the Prophet of the Qur’an, the holy words of Allah.

 

July 16th

Rastafarian – Ethiopian Constitution Day – commemorating the granting in 1931 of Ethiopia’s first constitution.

 

July 18th

Muslim – Eid-Ul-Fitr – a joyous festival marking the end of Ramadan. This festival begins with the sighting of the new moon. People rise early to bathe, put on new clothes and attend the mosque. There is sharing of meals later and the distributing of gifts.

 

July 23rd

Rastafarian – Birthday of Emperor Haile Selassie I – a holy day celebrating the day on which the Emperor was born.

 

July 23rd

Sikh – Birthday of Guru Har Krishen (1656 – 1664) the eighth of the Sikh Gurus.

 

July 25th

Christian – St James’ day – James, brother of John was one of the first to be called as a disciple by Jesus.

 

July 25th

Jewish – Tishah B’av – a solemn day of fasting and mourning, which commemorates the historical destruction of the First and Second Temples.

 

July 27th

Buddhist – Rains Retreat – Theravadin calendar – a three month retreat for monks and nuns giving an opportunity for reflection, self-examination, penitence and forgiveness.