Auckland Trust in memory of interfaith worker organises education for holy week

 

The present time presents a profoundly spiritual time for millions around the world. The largest pilgrimage in the world of 2 million people is taking place and will culminate with the festival of Eid – now confirmed for next Wednesday 17th November. The Rasheed Memorial Trust will take that opportunity to offer learning about the spiritual fundamentals of the religion, which are seldom discussed.

“Too often, political causes in the name of Islam feature in the media, without any coverage of Islam’s own spiritual theology. Pilgrimage being a source of renewal of peace and spirituality, there is no better time than now to consider the place of spirituality and psychology in Islam, which is a little-known yet profoundly significant topic.”

Starting on the evening of Eid, there will be a number of opportunities to learn more about the spiritual side of Islam, at Unitec in Mt Albert:

• Three public lessons on Islamic Psychology and Spirituality, on the evenings of 17th, 18th & 20th November.
• On 19th November there will be a special Friday night session the explanations of The Marvels of the Heart of Imam Al-Ghazzali, the great 11th century thinker, spiritualist and mystic, covering aspects such as the soul, heart, and spirit.
• The culmination of the week is on Saturday 20th November, with the New Zealand launch and public screening of The Blessed Tree – a documentary full of traditional and spiritual themes focusing on a 1500 year old pistachio tree in present day Jordan.

Events are listed on the Trust website – www.rmdt.org.nz – registration is essential. Tickets for The Blessed Tree can also be purchased online using the link.

The Rasheed Memorial Trust Inc. was founded by Abdul Rahim Rasheed Q.S.O. in 2003 and rededicated to him upon his death in 2006 to continue his pioneering efforts in the fields intercultural and interfaith understanding.