Following a full day in Glasgow on 17th August 2007, Pastor Wuye and Imam Ashafa from Nigeria came in the evening to St Saviour's Episcopal Church, Bridge of Allan. Invited by the Rector, Rev Dominic Ind who is also Chaplain to Stirling University, the imam and the pastor spoke to a packed hall of 50 people including many who came from surrounding areas. It was an informal occasion punctuated with humourous asides from the two Nigerians and Dominic Ind, yet people were inspired by the depth of forgiveness and reconciliation these men had experienced, and the peace-making initiatives which have flowed from it.
Thoughtful questions from the audience focussed not only on Nigeria but on how what these men had found could be used to bring healing to divisions in Scotland. During the tea break a procession of people took the opportunity to talk with the Nigerians. The vote of thanks was given by Sister Isobel Smyth, a Catholic nun who is much involved in inter-faith dialogue work in Scotland. She said that the evening also marked the launching of the inter-faith spirituality centre to be based in St Saviour's Church. At the end of the meeting Dominic Ind recommended the DVD The Imam and the Pastor.
Alline Faunce
English