Greetings everyone,

It has been a great first week with plenty of events. This week sees the first 'Scriptural Reasoning' session of the term, what promises to be a fascinating talk by the Vicar of Baghdad and the ARU Eid Dinner. The Akashi Festival which celebrates faith communities working for the environment is also coming up and there are also several interesting series of talks starting soon including a Basic Introduction to Islam and the popular Faith to Faith series of talks for University staff based on the success of the talks last term.

Also for our feature event 'Foods From Around The World' which is being organised in association with CUSU Anti-Racism please get in touch if you would like to Cook or help out in any other way! The description for the event is included below.

In this email...

1. ***Scriptural Reasoning*** (Mon 15th)
2. The Vicar of Baghdad!! (Fri 12th)
3. Faith 2 Faith (Thurs 25th)
4. CHILDREN of ABRAHAM (Wednesdays)
5. A Basic Introduction to Islam (Thurs 18th)
6. The Akashi Festival (Sat 27th)
7. Anglia Ruskin University Eid Dinner (Mon 15th)
8. CUKCS: "God, Demigods and Incarnations"
9. CIFG: SOUL AND SELF (Sun 14th)
10. Foods From Around the World: Call for Chefs! (Sun 4th Nov)


Have a great week, and hope to see you at some of these events!

With Peace,
-Zishan

Monday 15th October
Monday 12th November
Monday 26th November

6pm-8pm

Michaelhouse Café (Trinity St)

Have you ever wanted to share your passion for Scripture? Scripture forms the core of many faiths and religions. Members of the Abrahamic faiths (which include Judaism, Christianity and Islam) in particular often view one another as "people of the Book". How do their scriptures relate and what can we learn from one another's teachings?

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2. The Vicar of Baghdad!!

This Friday night, the 12th of October, the Vicar of Baghdad will be coming
to speak at the Cambridge Jewish Student center at 3 Thomspson's Lane.
Non-CUJS members are invited to come and share a traditional Jewish Sabbath
meal at 7.15pm, followed by what should be a really interesting talk!

An alumnus of Cambridge, the Vicar now works as a minister of the Church in
Baghdad, as well as being the protector of the Jewish community in Iraq and
engaging in interfaith work in various countries. In his address, the Vicar
will share his unique experience of living and working in this very
multi-cultural region.

Cost of event with meal = £5.45
Cost of talk without meal = free  (please arrive at 8:30pm prompt)

Places are limited, and you must book (by 9pm this Thursday) whether you
wish to eat or not. Please contact Jonny Neumann at jn267 to book.

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Thursdays at 1pm

Following on from the success of last year, the Chaplaincy to the University Staff and the Equality and Diversity Personnel Division have organised this second series of talks for University staff - please contact equality@... to book your place.

Also see attached flyer for details

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4. CHILDREN of ABRAHAM

St Edward, King & Martyr ,Peas Hill Cambridge
Wednesdays at 5.30 pm

Come and hear the authors of the three books on Abrahamic faith in the
new Granta series What Do We Believe in live discussion and debate.

Oct 17th
What Do  Christians Believe?
Malcolm Guite 

Oct 24th
What do  Muslims Believe?
Zia Sardar

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5. Anglia Ruskin University Chaplaincy presents:

"A Basic Introduction to Islam."

 

A  FREE weekly course for everyone and anyone wanting to increase their knowledge and awareness.

When: Thursday 18th October until  Thursday 6th December (8  weeks) from 7.30 to 8.30pm  
Where:  Anglia Ruskin  University, Helmore Building, Room  118.

The course will cover the basic beliefs and practices of Muslims and is aimed at anyone who is interested in knowing more about the religion of Islam. It will be particularly useful to new muslim converts, their families and friends,  muslims in need of a 'refresher course', and those whose work or social life bring them into contact with Muslims. The sessions will consist of a 30 minute presentation, followed by 30 minutes general discussion and questions and answers. Homework will be optional! The course leader will be Ms Sheridan James, Associate Chaplain at ARU and CRC

 
For more information and to confirm your place, please contact Sheridan on 07738436624 or   sheridan.j@....

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6. The Akashi Festival

It's with great excitement that I am inviting you to the Akashi Festival
on Saturday 27th October 2007. The festival will bring all the groups we
have worked with together to celebrate what our different cultures and
faiths teach on looking after our environment. Please see
www.akashi.org.uk/festival for details and a colour poster.

The Festival will open at 2pm with a performance by Good Vibrations
community choir (who sing songs from all over the world). There will
also be a Bollywood dance and some other performances and a couple of
speeches.

The workshops session will begin at 3pm. As well as conversations
circles discussing cultural and faith teachings on climate change, there
will be dance workshops (Street style urban dance and Bollywood), Henna
Painting sessions, a singing workshop lead by the Good Vibrations choir
leader, children's badgemaking and art activities, storytelling, lots of
fun basically!

The festival will finish again with more performances. It will be a
great afternoon! I really hope you can join us- please do put the 27th October in your
diary.

What: The Akashi Festival, a FUSION of culture, community and climate
change.
When: Saturday October 27th 2007, 2pm- 6pm
Where: The Junction (The Shed), on Clifton Road (next to the Cineworld)
Cost: Free to enter (donations welcome)

Find out more information and see our colour poster at
www.akashi.org.uk/festival. Please send this email on to friends and
family who may be interested.

If you would like colour versions of the poster or if you can hand out
fliers to your friends and family, please do send me your address.

Please do contact me with any questions

Warm wishes

Shilpa Shah
Project Coordinator
shilpa@...

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7. Anglia Ruskin University Eid Dinner

Date: Monday 15th October Time: 6pm Venue: Anglia Ruskin University -
Helmore Lounge. (Enter through the main entrance, and the lounge is located
at the end on the gallery on the left)

Price: £4.00 per person

Programme:
6pm: Guests arrive
6:30pm Maghrib prayer
7pm: Dinner is served.
7:30pm: Entertainment
9pm: Isha Prayer
Guests will then have time to socialise till 11pm

The Eid Party is hosted by Anglia Ruskin University Islamic Society

This is a mixed gathering so all are expected to observe Islamic etiquette.
Strictly no alcohol.

If you wish to attend, please email ( aa443@...) as soon as
possible, stating the number of tickets you would like to buy.

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8. "God, Demigods and Incarnations"

Have you ever wondered what Krishna Consciousness is? Would you like to
learn more about it? Dhruva Maharaja Dasa will be showing us an
introductory video and will explain the main concepts of Gaudiya
Vaishnavism. After that there will be a question and answer session
followed by a FREE vegetarian meal.

Date: Thursday 11 October 2007 Time: 7.30pm-10pm Venue: Mumby's room,
King's College. Please ask the porters for directions, as the place is
hidden in the fourth floor of Wilking's building (the one on the extreme
left, once you enter the main court).

All Welcome!!!

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9. SOUL AND SELF

Should Soul be thought of as a synonym for God?   If so, should we think
of one Soul, rather than billions of souls?   Should man be regarded as
spiritual, reflecting the one Soul, God, or as material, with each person
having a mind and soul of his or her own?   Is our true selfhood
spiritual or material?   Does our view of this affect our health and
well-being?

Bring your views on soul and self or come along to listen to others.
Open, public discussion meeting on Sunday 14 October 2007 at 3.30 p.m. at
the Christian Science Reading Room, 96 Regent Street, Cambridge CB2 1DP.

More information from Cambridge 276912 or ddw@....

Cambridge Inter-Faith Group -
e-mail: interfaith[AT]home.cam.net.uk -
web: http://www.cam.net.uk/home/interfaith
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10. ***Foods From Around the World***

Sunday 4th November, 2pm-4pm

Mong Hall, Sidney Sussex College

Cost: Free (donations will go to a charitable cause)

Email cuff@... if you want to enter a dish.

Food is a key aspect of any major world culture, ancient or modern, and regional cuisines have developed to make the most of the natural attributes of their native climate and environment. The evolution of regional cuisines has also been substantially influenced by the belief system of their respective native cultures and the variation in these cuisines has then gone on to impact the customs and traditions up to the present day.

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