IN THE NAME OF ALLAH MOST GRACIOUS MOST MERCIFUL

COP 19 and Spirituality in Poland
Communism indeed is dead. Religion and spirituality are forever alive. I did know very well that Poland was a predominantly Catholic country. What never ever crossed my mind, however, was that I would one day be part of an interfaith delegation visiting Poland, let alone have such a deeply meaningful interreligious spiritual experience in this former communist country.

Sunday, November 10, 2013 was our arrival date. I find myself that very first day preaching on Islam and Climate Change after an ecumenical service in the Lutheran Church in Warsaw. This was a spectacular event attended by Orthodox, Catholic and Lutheran Christians, representatives of the Jewish community, Buddhists and myself - interfaith indeed.

A few days later, on Wednesday, November 13th, our delegation left Warsaw together in a rented vehicle, destination the Polish city of Lublin and the Nazi concentration camp of Majdanek - situated in a widely open area on the outskirts of the city. Majdanek is a most horrible reminder of Nazi brutality, insanity and evil beyond imagination. The experience though, bonded our interfaith group of Lutherans of the Norwegian state and free churches, Catholics, a Jew and a Muslim even further. It made us all realize once again how human and vulnerable we could all be. Stigmatizing and dehumanizing whole races or groups of human beings, religious or otherwise, is indeed a dangerous act akin to what I call the Iblis (devilish) mentality. Wednesday, November 13th however, corresponded with 9th Muharram 1435 of, the day before “Aashuraa” of the Muslim New Year. When the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) migrated to Madina from Makka, he found the Jews of Madina at the time fasting this day that came to be known in Islam as Aashuraa (meaning the 10th). He inquired of them what is was and the told him this was the  day God saved Moses (peace be upon him) and the Children of Israel from Pharaoh who drowned in the sea. Moses, they said used to fast the day every year as thanksgiving to God Almighty. Thereupon the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said to his Companions “we are most worthy of honouring our brother Moses). He fasted the day and asked them to do the same. He later made the fasting of both 9th and 10th of (Aashuraa) a Sunna (Prophetic Tradition) as thanksgiving and an expiation of sin. So here I was, a Muslim in an interfaith group visiting a concentration camp of the Holocaust and fasting in honour of Moussa/Moses (peace be upon him). If only we took the trouble to always find out how much good we have in common fighting amongst us indeed would be most uncommon.

Again yesterday, the last day for most members of our interfaith group at the COP 19, I sat on the panel of an Interfaith gathering for a press conference on the launching of a call spearheaded by the youth of the Lutheran World Federation to a one day fast and prayer in solidarity with and for the victims of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines and elsewhere as well as for Climate Justice. Rev. Einar Tjelle of the Norwegian State Church fasted for one day partially drawing inspiration from the Muslim tradition of fasting.

Fasting is a powerful spiritual expression common in almost all faith traditions. It is self-denial and sacrifice for the attainment of a higher aim. It makes believers more conscious of their Lord and Cherisher. It brings forgiveness, mercy and compassion. It awakens one to the suffering and the need to be there and act for the good of others, the good of humanity and all living beings.

We pray and hope therefore, that powerful and rich countries of the world - that are in fact largely responsible for most of the carbon emissions that are causing climate change and destroying our beautiful planet; we hope the leaders and decision- makers in these countries will listen to the voices of reason and take responsible action in arresting the situation, save peoples’ lives and save our planet.



We fervently hope that rich countries like Norway will lead the way in extending a helping hand once again to the poor and most vulnerable of the world, most affected by severe weather conditions caused by climate change. Norway has already taken the lead in being the first and only county so far in sending Interfaith delegations to the COP meetings.

We say therefore, forwards ever; backwards never.

Imam Ebraima Saidy
Daru Salaam Islamic Centre
Islamic Council - Norway