Working together as people of faith for a just and inclusive Scotland

Skye Inter Faith Group                                                                                                  

You can contact the Skye Inter Faith Group, "Faiths Together" at patmc55312@aol.com

Vigil for the Planet : 28th November                                                                          

The day dawned dry but cloudy. By 11am the sun was shining brightly as the group assembled in Somerled Square.On the way up from Broadford, Pat had observed how the colour had come back into the landscape after days of half light in the rain and wind. Pat sung a suitable Baha'i prayer at the start the vigil. A robin accompanied her from a nearby tree.

As we stood in the cold air gazing at the hills around Portree, passages were read from the following spiritual sources: Hindu, Christian, Jewish, Native American, Quakerism, Buddhism, Baha'i, Taoism, Sikhism and Islam. Buses came and went, spewing out exhaust fumes and engine noise. At times they threatened to drown the readers but the texts rose above the noise. Although the passages reflected different perspectives they all seemed to carry a similar message: The earth is God's and is sacred. It is precious as it nurtures and sustains us. When we abuse it we forfeit something of our soul.

We finished the Vigil by saying this Celtic Prayer together:

Deep peace of the running waves to you

Deep peace of the flowing air to you

Deep peace of the quiet earth to you

Deep peace of the shining stars to you

Deep peace of the son of peace to you

Summer Picnic : July 2009                                                                                              

Whin Park was the venue for a glorious inter faith picnic in July 2009. It was a pleasant surprise to see blue skies with uninterrupted sunshine throughout the day which shone down on the 30 or so present. The picnic was a great opportunity for members from the Inverness and Skye Inter Faith groups to come together. It was really heartwarming to see families from diverse faith traditions enjoying sunshine, different cuisines, boat rides, games, conversation and walks along the river Ness and canal banks.The group was unexpectedly joined by a couple from Saudi Arabia who had been walking in the park. The evening before they had been walking the banks of the river when some drunks had followed them and called them names. They told those gathered that the picnic had restored their faith in Scottish hospitality and friendship!

The Scottish Government and the Scottish Inter Faith Council supportinter faith dialogue at a national level and this is reflected in the support that the Highland Council’s Equal Opportunities Office has given to the local group in Inverness, which has members from the Hindu, Buddhist, Christian, Muslim and Baha’i faiths. A spokesperson stated that although the faith groups may have different ways of expressing their beliefs individually, there was clearly a global desire to share common elements and to find ways of promoting a more united expression of faith. The Inverness group is also planning to have a public occasion to mark Inter Faith Week in November.