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Jamal Harwood invited by Slough community to discuss faith in a secular society |
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Thursday, 09 November 2006 |
Sunday 4 September 2006, The Slough community hosted an event titled
'The role of faith in a secular society' and invited Jamal Harwood,
Chairman of Hizb ut-Tahrir Britain and John Elias from the American
Biblical Christian society to share their thoughts on the subject.
The talk began with a brief talk by two young members of each faith community. A young Christian mentioned how his belief helped him avoid trends that were un-Christian, such as relationships before marriage and drugs. It gave him a purpose and meaning in life which he felt much of his peers did not have. A young member of the Muslim community explained how he had only embraced Islam recently, and how it had given him inner peace and purpose in life. He explained how his life had changed by embracing Islam, how his relationship with his parents had improved and how he now felt that there was a mission in life to be achieved.
Jamal Harwood explained how there was much lacking and wrong in a secular society. He explained that many social ills were caused by no clear guidance about right or wrong. Indeed in a secular society many things that were right or wrong were constantly changing. He explained how people did not have a sense of accountability other than the blunt arm of the law, and how this bred a state that lacked accountability, lacked compassion and lacked direction. Muslims had many great values that they could exhibit in such a society, and these values would have great and profound impact on those around them. Values such as respect and honour for parents, caring for neighbours and siblings, compassion and care for the elderly, modesty and chastity in society, truthfulness and integrity in business, tolerance and respect for others. Jamal said that Islam offered a unique alternative to the monotonous capitalist model that was swamping the world. A model that served only the rich and powerful at the expense of the poor, and cared only about power and economic control and the expense of society and humanity. Jamal explained that Muslims in the world sought to live by Islam, and implement it in the form of a Caliphate, which had existed for over 1400 years in the past. He explained that many Muslim countries in the world existed today, but none of them implemented Islam properly.
John Elias began by also stating that many states existed where Christians lived, but no true state was modelled on Christianity alone. He said that Christians had lived in such states and had helped shape and improve them through the teachings of the bible. He recited many quotes from the bible that highlighted the need of Christians to work to benefit the society they lived within. He mentioned how William Wilberforce through his Christian conscience fought and campaigned for the abolishment of slavery in England in the 18th century. His message was that Christians had a part to play in influencing society, correcting its wayward path. He cited the large Christian campaigns against abortion as a modern day proof of how Christians can make a difference.
Both speakers were well received by a full house of about one hundred people from many different communities in Slough. There were many questions and answers put to the panel from people seeking clarification or explanations of each of the faiths. After the event people remained to discuss informally over light refreshments.
Press coverage in the local Slough newspaper
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