Interfaith week a great occasion
MSP critical of plans and timing of public input
I was at a lovely event on Sunday at St Andrew’s Methodist Church in Greenhills.
It was to mark Scottish InterfaithWeek.
The plan was to learn about each other’s faith or culture by sharing food and stories.
We certainly did with presentations from the Christian, Sikh and Baha’i faiths.
We heard how in Malawi the children ate silently because food was so important to them; we talked about the number of people, even in our own society, who are now dependent upon foodbanks and charity.
Established by Interfaith Scotland in 2004, Scottish Interfaith Week provides an opportunity for interfaith groups, faith communities, schools, organisations and local communities across the country to celebrate Scotland’s religious diversity.
East Kilbride is home to many people of different faiths and beliefs, and of course those of none.
I am privileged to know representatives of the many faith gatherings and receive invites to events to hear of the local and global charitable work. Whether one practices a religion or not, respect is certainly due to those who care for others – locally with foodbanks for example, or worldwide to try to alleviate hunger.
This is a special year for the Baha’i community in East Kilbride – 2019 marks the bicentenary of the birth of the Bab, which is being celebrated all over the world.
A lovely celebration was held recently in the town’s Murray Owen Centre where we learned much about the faith, its origins and beliefs.
We learned at the Interfaith event that Baha’is, like those who adhere to Islam, have an annual month of fasting between sunrise and sunset.
Local Sikhs have a special year to celebrate too.
This year is the 550th
Anniversary of the birth of Guru Nanak Sahib who founded the Sikh way of life.
I’m looking forward to the national Sikh Banquet in Renfrew this Sunday as part of a global series of events to mark this important anniversary.
For those who have never visited the Gurdwara in Glasgow’s south side, I can highly recommend this as a fascinating experience. People from all faiths, and those who do not profess any faith, are welcomed in a Sikh Gurdwara; a place of worship and a place of coming together.
Food is served every day to all comers in these Sikh temples as part of the long-standing tradition of equality and sharing.
I realise that I am emphasising food here, but that was the theme of our discussions at the interfaith event.
It is certainly true that any religious gathering I attend seems to be followed by eating, whether it be the fabulous home-baking at Christian churches, or the rice, curry and Irn Bru at most Moslem gatherings I’ve attended.
As I said earlier, East Kilbride is home to many faiths and beliefs; the differing denominations of Christianity and Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism, Baha’i, Buddhism and Judaism.
All of these faiths and ways of life at their best have their roots solidly planted in the good of others – sharing, whether that sharing be food, peace, love and acceptance.
Thank you East Kilbride Interfaith community for inviting me along to such an uplifting event.
FRASER WILSON
Graham Simpson has called on the local authority to postpone the public consultation on Stewartfield Way till after the general election.
The Conservative MSP has been a vocal critic of the proposals since they were first mooted and has asked the council to review its approach to the consultation.
And Mr Simpson took another swipe at South Lanarkshire Council over their plans, saying they ‘somehow managed to make worse’ those put to the public.
Spekaing to the News, the MSP said: “I’m calling on SLC to delay the consultation until after the UK general election.
“Residents have long awaited an opportunity to voice their concerns and to ensure proper turn out, a revised consultation date postelection must be set.”
The public consultation has now begun for the £62million plans to dual Stewartfield Way.
A key part of Central Scotland’s road network, views on the plans are being sought from residents in East Kilbride and the 23,000 motorists who use the carriageway each day.
Part of the business proposal for the scheme was an estimation of the worth to the local area if the project were to get the go-ahead.
Financial experts KPMG undertook research into the matter, estimating the project could be worth around £570m to the East Kilbride area.
However, there are a number of opponents to the proposals who say the disadvantages outweigh the benefits – including Mr Simpson.
He added: “If approved, we are looking at three years of construction delays that will swallow a sizable portion of public land along James
East Kilbride is home to many faiths and beliefs
Hamilton Heritage Park and loch.
“This construction project is environmentally destructive, will not solve congestion, and will ultimately encourage traffic. Given that we have a climate emergency, spending money on projects like this is not the way to reduce emissions.
“I am staggered by what the council has come up with. They have managed to make a bad scheme even worse.
“They have not come up with any justification for spending £62 million on a road widening scheme which will do little to ease what traffic congestion there is at peak times.
“The only bit of the scheme which made any sense - a flyover at the Kingsgate onto the Expressway - is no longer being proposed. Instead we get a bigger roundabout.
“I encourage members of the public to voice their concerns toward this horrendous project and for council to reschedule the consultation after the UK general election.”
The public are invited to attend two information events to be held in Stewartfield Community Centre on November 26 from 1pm to 8pm, and in the Plaza at East Kilbride Town Centre on November 27 from 9am to 5pm.
In addition, views will be welcomed via an online questionnaire, or by writing to South Lanarkshire Council.
Those should be sent to: South Lanarkshire Council, Roads and
Transportation Services, Montrose House, 154 Montrose Crescent, Hamilton, ML3 6LB,
Views can also be emailed to roadsandtransportation@ southlanarkshire.gov.uk
The consultation will close on December 20 with results expected to be available in the first quarter of the New Year.
The council’s head of roads, Gordon Mackay, said: “The consultation process is well underway and the proposals for Stewartfield Way were well-known long before the General Election was announced.
“We do of course welcome all comments on the plans and will consider all points raised.” Consultation should be moved to post election