Sunday 22 January may not be the traditional World Religion Day, but that in no way dulled the festivities of celebration of the world's many religions and their essential unity in Londonderry on the day. The Junction, the city's cross-community centre was the venue, and what better location for such a gathering could there be? A short welcome by local Bahá'í Michelle OMahony Barr started the event then devotional, focusing on the oneness of religion reminded us all why we had all gathered together.
However this was far from the end of the Derry communitys offering as Lights of Unity had still to take to the stage. With almost ninety in the crowd (half of them not Bahá'ís) it was not the largest audience the international dance troupe had preformed for, but you would have been fooled by the applause. The troupes young members offered us four of their breath-taking dances which aim to highlight social issues in the community.
Even though there were more in attendance than expected the Bahá'í tradition of bringing plenty of refreshments came in useful and there was no one left wanting for a cuppa at the end of what was a truly memorable World Religion Day. The local community will really have to work hard to top it next year.
Lights of Unity are performing in many places - if you get the chance to see them perform you should take it, they are really something.
CTP
The Devotional readers -
- and "Lights of Unity" in Londonderry
Omagh has held a meeting to celebrate World Religion Day every year since 1984. This years, on Sunday 15 January, was attended by 126 peoplethe best-attended yet and larger premises may well be necessary for next year!
Rustam Jamshídi, introduced the programme and explained about the meetings theme The Lights of Unity. There were readings and prayers, strongly on the theme of unity, among them the quotation: So powerful is the light of unity that it can illuminate the whole Earth. They were read by students from Omagh Integrated College and from Omagh Integrated Primary School. The fact that the two schools were involved seems to have been an encouragement to the childrens parents and other relatives to attend.
Live music was performed by Gemma and Elaine Gallagher from the town and Níma Hedayati (little was it known at the time that this was to be Nímas swansong, as he was to leave Omagh for Nottingham on 3 February), Andalíb Gornall and by Darmain Segaran, an undergraduate from Malaysia studying at Bristol University (and brother of Dr Surayne Segaran), then visiting Omagh. And of course a stunning performance by Lights of Unity, without whom no self-respecting gathering in Northern Ireland is complete these days.
Councillors Michael McAnespie, the Chairman of Omagh District Council, and Councillor Patrick Magowan, the Councils Vice-Chairman, were present and both addressed the audience at the close.
MDL
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