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United Dioceses of Dublin & Glendalough

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19.06.2013

Dublin City Interfaith Forum Launches Guide for Visiting Sacred Spaces

A new guide offering information on what to expect when visiting Dublin’s sacred spaces has been compiled by the Dublin City Interfaith Forum. The booklet, entitled Come and See, was launched today (Thursday June 20) at the Chester Beatty Library in Dublin Castle by broadcaster and RTE News presenter, Eileen Dunne.

Come and See is aimed at facilitating the breaking down of the assumptions, lack of knowledge and consequent fear that often underlies prejudice and racism. It is a guide to what to expect when visiting one of the many and diverse sacred spaces in Dublin making it easier for people of different religious and cultural backgrounds to meet in the context of their own sacred spaces.

Welcoming the booklet, Eileen Dunne said: “Dublin City is, for some time now, a place of diversity, a place where religions, cultures and people meet and interact. This constitutes our true identity. Properly managed, this diversity gives us great strength. Mismanaged, it risks weakening us greatly.  Information and education alone is not enough. People need to meet face to face, experience diversity and discuss issues with people who differ. Communities need to reach out to each other. Dialogue and exchange between people of different views, cultures and faiths is the glue that will hold us together and enrich us all”.

The guide was developed by the Interfaith Forum, which includes members of the Baha’i, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim and Sikh communities.

According to Sinead Lynch, chair of the Interfaith Forum, it is intended that the new guide will be a resource in the process of “educating and encouraging people of different faiths to dialogue and act together in challenging all forms of injustice and discrimination”.

Echoing recent media comments from the Minister of Justice, Alan Shatter, Ms Lynch said that the Interfaith Forum was committed to work alongside other agencies towards ensuring that there was “no room for racism in Irish society”.

This resource will assist Faith Communities to build relationships with and between Dublin City communities, statutory and voluntary organisations and the residents of Dublin City.

Dublin City Interfaith Forum (DCIF) is a network of people from the different Faith Communities in the City of Dublin. It aims to create awareness and dialogue through building relationships that nurture harmony, and deepen understanding and respect.

DCIF works with interested members of faith communities to deliver interfaith gatherings and activities in Dublin City. Recognising the diverse nature of the backgrounds of the residents of Dublin, DCIF seeks to provide the space and opportunity for Faith Communities to build relationships with and between Dublin City communities, statutory and voluntary organisations and the residents of Dublin City.

 

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