Eid in Cardiff

Yesterday's late night news indicated that the American Qu'ran burning pastor might renounce his threatened action, not least as a result of the eloquent appeal President Obama made, urging him to consider that the impact of this act, would serve to increase recruitment to Al'Qaeda. The pastor regards his protest as a response to a proposal to build an islamic cultural centre in proximity to the World Trade Centre site in New York. He obviously cannot get his head around the fact that at least sixty of the 9/11 victims were Muslims. 

However, the media report that he has agreed to visit New York and meet the imam there who is involved with the project, on the understanding (inferred) that it may not go ahead in that location. Different reports suggest that the proposal to stop or move the project has not been agreed, let alone discussed.  

It appears the pastor has already met a leading Florida imam, to discuss this, and was invited to go to New York to meet people involved there. Interviewed this morning, the imam spoke in a forthright way about their conversation, and his differences with the pastor in understanding was what spoken about. It's confusing but at least a start has been made to engage him in dialogue, and hopefully to avert a moral and spiritual disaster. Meanwhile protest riots are breaking out all over Afghanistan and in other countries, as Ramadhan comes to an end. Eid ul Fitr began with the first sighting of the new moon at Mecca on Wednesday evening - Thursday evening in USA.

Glasgow University's Theology Professor Mona Siddiqui spoke with superb insight and wisdom on this situation on this morning's BBC Thought for the Day. Her contribution was one that all people of faith could be proud of. I was disappointed that she didn't end by wishing Muslim listeners 'Eid Mubarak', although I suspect not that many woudl have their ears glued to early morning radio, being more likely to be praying or celebrating in some other way.

I was in town early this morning with Paul Hocking to meet the new city centre police sergeant Karen McNeill to give her an up to date briefing on the development of Street care work. Afterwards I went into City Hall to drop off my bag before going on to Cathays for the funeral of Christine Griffiths at St Michael's. Hundreds of Muslims of varied nationalities, all dressed up in their Eid Friday best were pouring out of City Hall at the end of their first Eid ul Fitr public gathering for prayer. So many smiles, bright eyes, happy greetings - such joy in the air - a great witness to faith in God.

It was a pleasure to move slowly through the crowd. For once I was wearing my cross, and here and there it meant I too received a warm greeting or a smile. I saw a man I recognised and wished him an 'Eid Mubarak', he embraced me with delight and took me to greet the imam who'd led the festive prayers. I also met Dr Saleem Kidwali, president of the Muslim Council for Wales and greeted him. I told him how well Professor Siddiqui had spoken earlier on the radio. "That's what I have to go and do next!" he said. It's that sort of day with all the American goings-on throwing the spotlight on the occasion. 

I was so glad to be there to offer a little sign of good-will to a few of the believers at this gathering. There were well over six hundred present, of all ages. I didn't notice anyone  from the media  there recording this peaceful, happy gathering of faithful people acting normally in the face of the fear being raised by the communication of this bad news story from Florida around the planet.

I took the bus and walked fast part of the way to get to St Michael's on time. There was a crowd of a hundred to say farewell to Christine. Still active to the end at eighty eight she had lots of friends across the generations. There were five clerics present, all asociated with her beloved St Teilo's. She'll be fondly remembered and sadly missed.

From the bus, travelling back into town through Cathays,  I saw Muslim families out on the streets in their new festive clothes, going to and from the mosque in Wyverne Road. The building has had a front end face lift since last time I passed this way. It now looks less like the church hall it once was, and has more dignity, worthy of an islamic cultural centre serving at heart of student land.