About

 We are a group who come under the umbrella of Interfaith Scotland - www.interfaithscotland.org

Here is an overview of the history recollected by three members of the group for the first thirty years.

THE GENESIS OF ABERDEEN INTERFAITH   1993 - Om shanti Kathryn Hendry

The journey began with a seminar, "A Dialogue of Inter-religious Understanding and Co-operation," celebrating the Centenary celebrations of the World Parliament of Religions in 1993 in Marischal College. I relocated from Edinburgh to Aberdeen around 1990, in Edinburgh, Interfaith Dialogue was well established, and I had been very active in that group from 1985.  So naturally, one of the first things I looked for in the City was the Aberdeen Interfaith Group, but we didn't have one. 

Then, one evening at a UN gathering, I met an amazing lady, Agnes Walton, who understood the importance of interfaith dialogue and was eager to work together with me to see what was possible.  Around that time, we were aware of the Centenary celebrations being planned globally and felt this was an excellent opportunity to initiate such a dialogue in Aberdee. Support for the project was received from Edinburgh Interfaith Group and Glasgow sharing of faiths to make the Dialogue a great success.

Dadi Janki, the administrative head of the Brahma Kumaris, was a key speaker at that seminar. Inspired and understanding that we wanted an Interfaith Group in Aberdeen, during her closing remarks, she invited those interested in further Interfaith Dialogue to meet at the back of the stage in Marischal College. That moment marked the genesis of Aberdeen Interfaith.

Formation of Aberdeen Interfaith

Our journey started with numerous small meetings, a group of around 5/6 people, where we got to know each other, appreciating the diverse faith journeys present. I would love to mention names but I don’t remember everyone, as each person played an essential role in developing the Aberdeen Interfaith Group and forming our Interfaith committee.  We would meet at the University Chaplaincy in Old Aberdeen, using the upstairs Hall for our monthly Interfaith event that would take on different formats. Initially, we would listen to a presentation from different faith communities to understand each other, and we had celebrations, workshops, and much more.  The core group would hold planning meetings in different homes to develop what to do next. 

In my heart, I believe that on that September day in 1993, a beautiful seed of vision was planted. Thanks to all involved, that seed was strong and able to take root, it received care and attention, and today, we witness the results of the continued commitment in this gathering. I eagerly look forward to hearing the rest of the story. Aberdeen Interfaith is a testament to the power of unity, understanding, and shared values.  I wish that this shared journey continues to inspire and foster peace in our hearts and in the world.

2003-2013        Dr Nigel Dower

Although I was a supporter of the Aberdeen Interfaith from the beginning – indeed I was at the founding meeting - I didn’t really get involved in it until I joined the steering group shortly after the beginning of the middle decade (2003-2013), first as a committee member, then as treasurer. Looking back what strikes me is that in that period we moved from being a group that mainly organised talks and discussions to one that started doing a whole range of other things together – like an AIFG dance at Airyhall community centre! We also moved away from being an organisation that included dealing with inter-faith problems – which were handled by our then hard-working secretary Stewart Prockter – to focusing on building positive relations in community leaving the problems to other organisations like GREC – which I recall likening to the difference between peace-making and peace-building. 

I particularly remember a big event organised by our dynamic and committed Chair Hassan Scott-Paul when a prominent Imam Sheikh Ibrahim Mogra gave us a lecture – we went to St Mary’s church for an elaborate and most enjoyable spread of middle-eastern food. We also I remember had an extremely lively discussion upstairs in the chaplaincy on different faiths’ approaches to nature/the environment – at that time somewhat different! Another meeting I recall vividly was a meeting organised by Stuart Hannabus who at that time called himself a spiritual humanist, when AIFG met some humanists in the basement of some flats in town – a somewhat tense meeting made more dramatic by the fact that the lights went out – adding to the atmosphere considerably! 

I also recall organising a discussion on the nature of Inter Faith dialogue – for which I managed to produce a long set of readings – something that probably wasn’t appreciated then and would not be tolerated in our short attention span culture nowadays! In 2012 I organised the first of several Human Library events in which members of different faiths spoke to small groups about their faith in a dialogical setting a number of times during the day – one of the most vivid memories I have of that was when a young Muslim woman who had accompanied Mumtaz said to us afterwards that she had so enjoyed the day because for once she could completely relax in public. So poignant and so sad. Towards the end of the middle period Caroline Cormack took over as chair and under her gentle and encouraging guidance we produced our first simple logo and started having our events presented in a programme. Overall an interesting ten years of evolution!

2013-2023      Ajhan Sujan

My journey began in summer 2011. The Late Dave Macfarlane, born and bred in Aberdeen, a member of Aberdeen Interfaith Group and probably the first Aberdonian to claim to be Buddhist-and humanist encouraged me to join Aberdeen Interfaith.

I have been privileged to be involved in events such as the Interfaith Forum with GREC, Human Library, walks, visiting religious places, book reading and cooking and serving for homeless people with the Holy Family Sisters of the Needy in Aberdeen.

We have attended Interfaith Days at Portlethen Academy, Nescol and Albyn School to encourage young people. I collected all the questions from the students there and compiled a book ‘your questions, my answers on Buddhism’. 5000 books were printed in Taiwan and distributed widely. Recently, we published a book on ‘Anxiety’ and hot off the press -this one for our 30th celebration ‘Interfaith Stories’ for which you can give a donation at the door.

The Royal events

In 2012, on behalf of the Buddhist group in Aberdeen, we invited members of Aberdeen interfaith to celebrate Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee with a special guest speaker from Thailand.

10 years later in June 2022 in collaboration with Aberdeen Interfaith Group we celebrated the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee at the Varapunya Meditation Centre with Paddington Cake as well as reflections on service and gratitude. children wrote on ‘monarchy’ from Buddhist perspectives. We also planted a Tree to honour the Queen. It was a timely celebration as three months later she passed away at Balmoral Castle. I personally went to Balmoral Castle gate to lay flowers and perform a Buddhist ritual. Meanwhile, on behalf of the Aberdeen Interfaith Group we sent condolences to the King Charles III and then a congratulations card to Him on his coronation, both of which were acknowledged.

Interfaith Mindfulness Day

In May, Buddhists celebrate Vesak day to remember the Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and his death. Since we celebrate this annually, I wished to celebrate it differently by inviting members from other faiths and religions to share and practice mindfulness meditation. Since 2017, we have continued this popular event both in person and online. This is a day program with a mindful walk in the woods, experiencing Buddhist practice of food offering and sharing lunch and finally reflections on the theme of Mental Health Week for that year.

 Faces of Faith

Scottish Interfaith launched the ‘Faces of Faith exhibition’ in Edinburgh in November 2022. Aberdeen Interfaith Group are honoured to be part of this exhibition where three members from Brahma kumaris, Buddhism and Hinduism feature. Now, the exhibition is at the Sir Duncan Rice Library, University of Aberdeen, where we are having a reception and reflection on Tuesday 21st of this month at 5pm to which you are most welcome.

You, Me, and Cup of Tea

Due to the number of asylum seekers growing in the city and shire, this year Constable Sarah Grant and our chairperson Patricia Findlay suggested that we should do something to make them feel welcome and provide possible support and a project ‘You Me and cup of Tea’ born.  We had five official gatherings in June in various parts of the north-east Scotland in the city, the shire and in Moray. We also had an unofficial one at the Varapunya Meditation Centre. We are grateful to the teams of people who have organised these events so far. We are determined to continue our service and support wherever and whichever possible. You can help us by donating gloves, hats and scarves.