Sarah Oliver CTII Schools Programme

Schools Programme celebrates National Women’s Day with special Interfaith Tour

The Marlene Silbert Youth Interfaith Intercultural Programme celebrated National Woman’s Day on 9 August by visiting 4 houses of different faiths to learn about their practices and traditions; and the role of women within those faiths.

The first stop was the Sri Siva Aalayam; the first Hindu Temple that was started in Cape Town 40 years ago. Guru Krishna and Ms Nalini Gangen presented an informative session on the rituals and practices of the devotees. The students were given an opportunity to ask questions and have a tour of the temple.

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Our next stop was the Claremont Synagogue where the tour was facilitated by the Rabbi’s wife (rabitzen); Mrs Lee Liebenberg. This visit helped the students to make connections between the Abrahamic Faiths as they were led through the significance of the Creation account and how God rested on the 7th day; providing humanity with an example of a work and rest. It was great to get a female’s perspective on the practices and traditions of the Jewish faith. We were served tea and cinnamon rolls at the Shul; hospitality is an important aspect of Judaism.

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We arrived at St Saviour’s Anglican Church in Claremont for the next segment of the tour. This church houses the burial ground for the first Anglican Bishop of Cape Town, Robert Gray and his wife Sophie. The resident priest was called away to deal with a pastoral matter and so Revd Natalie Simons-Arendse; a female Anglican priest led the tour. The students had many questions about the liturgies; the various colours and symbols used and the all-time favourite – the Trinity… who is more important within that relationship?

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The day concluded with a visit to the Masjid Ghiedmatiel Islamia – a mosque in Crawford. The Maulana Yazeed Mohamed (religious leader); connected with the young people so well and spoke of his own faith journey.  The 5 Pillars of Islam were explained and the role of women within the faith was a lively discussion.

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A beautiful day filled with learning and sharing of each other’s stories and faith practices.

Natalie Simons-Arendse, MS YIIP Programme Coordinator

Sarah Oliver Announcements, Statements

Statement on Malmesbury Mosque killings 14.06.2018

Cape Town Interfaith Initiative (CTII) is deeply saddened at the tragic events at the Malmesbury Masjied in the early hours of yesterday morning, which unfolded against the backdrop of two fatal attacks in Mozambique in the past two months as well as the May 10 murders at the Verulam Mosque near Durban.

We send our heartfelt condolences to all concerned; we cannot begin to imagine the devastation experienced by the families of those who lost their lives, and of the Muslim community.

CTII calls on all parties to maintain calm in their mourning, and to work together to investigate ways of combatting the pervasive sickness of violence that appears to be based in the radicalisation of youth. We call on all humanity to stand against hate crimes, and to work together with compassion to re-educate our children to acknowledge the sacredness of all life. If nothing else, let us at least respect life, even when there are those around us who don’t.

Let there be peace, and let it begin with me.

Berry Behr
Chairperson

Sarah Oliver Announcements, Statements

Letter in Support of the Tana Baru Cemetery – a sacred site

Letter to the Editor, Cape Times

11 June 2018

Respect for spiritual traditions and spiritual authority is not something our society is particularly good at, but it is never too late to change.

Cape Town Interfaith Initiative (CTII) stands firmly with Bo-Kaap residents, the Tana Baru Trust and the Jewish Board of Deputies, all of whom have in our opinion put forward morally and ethically sound cases for the preservation of the sanctity of the Tana Baru Cemetery in the Bo- Kaap.

We call on all commercial business to recognise that the moral imperative to consider the traditional, cultural and historical interests of a community goes beyond land ownership. The impact on homes and lives cannot be lightly discarded, neither can it always be measured in monetary terms.

CTII is committed to the protection and preservation of the Sacred as it is perceived and represented in any of the faith communities of our City. We consider this a human right and a social responsibility: dignity, respect and compassion are hallmarks of a healthy, truly sustainable society.

We urge that this particular burial site, given its historic status and spiritual significance, should be preserved as a national heritage site and that all future developments involving places of cultural importance should be carefully and transparently considered in a forum involving not only financial stakeholders, but also those representing the spiritual authority of the affected communities.

Berry Behr

Chairperson

Sarah Oliver Charter for Compassion, Interfaith

Inter/ Intra Faith Iftar at Ahlul Bait Mosque

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The Inter/ Intra Faith Iftar was held in the recently completed Ahlul Bait Mosque complex. The fully carpeted mosque  complete with chandeliers and beautiful tiling is a sight to behold. It was a privilege to be present at this event. Over 300 people are fed here every night during Ramadan, in the dining space near the well equipped kitchen. The centre offers a library and numerous classrooms where lecturers teach free of charge on Saturdays to any pupils needing extra tuition, especially physics and maths. Doctors from the community offer free medical advice in the clinic availed to them. The centre offers ongoing activities and courses for young and old. The Charter for Compassion adorns the main  entrance also beautifully tiled. This complex is really worth a visit, and the community are so welcoming. – Mary Frost, CTII