Many cultures have various events and activities through which they commemorate special moments or historic events of sentimental value. On one such day, Remembrance Day on 14th of November, Kingswood School in Bath held a two part commemoration beginning with a scholar’s concert and then a rendition of Karl Jenkins’s masterpiece “The Armed Man – A march for peace”. If like me you never heard of this piece before now, then a brief synopsis is in order.
The piece was composed following the Kosovo War in the Balkans (in which many Muslims lost their lives and the British were part of a multinational force to defeat the Serbs). It was commissioned by the Royal Armouries Museum and first released in 2001. It combines various culturally significant songs, poems and verses into a powerful message, urging man to move away from perennial squabbles and embrace a new dawn of sustainable peace. The second chapter in the composition is a rendition of the Adhan. Richard Mainwaring the school music teacher and host of the event extended a warm invitation to the Bath Islamic Society join in delivering the seminal piece and Imam Rashad recommended that I partake.
Within the next week, I met Richard, an exceptional man who was sincerely delighted. The Adhan, calling people to the remembrance of Allah is rich with meaning and of beautiful melody inspiring calmness, tranquillity and reflection. During the short rehearsal held on the day, the whole team listened then gave a huge ovation upon its completion and everyone was visibly thrilled that we from the Bath Islamic Society had honoured their invitation. Then came the live event.
Following an excellent 1st chapter, the lights were dimmed, the hall fell into absolute silence and to the audiences surprise and delight the inspiring words of the Adhan filled the air for just over 2 mins. The 7 other chapters were then delivered to complete the event. Richard, then kindly invited me up to the podium where a visibly pleased audience delivered a thunderous standing ovation. I very much felt and could see in their eyes that it wasn’t just an ovation for the way the Adhan was delivered but a show of deep appreciation and admiration for our involvement in an event with clearly deep and sentimental value.
Unknown to them, it was I who was in deep admiration at their openness, kindness and willingness to embrace first the Adhan and then a muslim into their world and their celebrations. We as Muslims are a part of the community. Partaking in such events enable others to see beyond the stereotype, negative media reports and the conduct of a tiny minority of our brethren and potentially inspire them to explore for themselves the true teachings of Islam. It is Allah who guides, ours is to be the best that we can be and through our actions and conduct demonstrate the beauty of our ways.
Listening to the piece, I finally understood that the Remembrance Day isn’t just about the armed forces but also a time for reflection. Reflection on our place within society as human beings and therefore a time to ask our selves, what type of society we want to build? Though our religious inclinations may differ, we are bound by our humanism and therefore must always explore ways and means of living harmoniously, thriving on peace and mutual respect.
On a personal note, as a young man, born of a paradoxical generation that seems more willing to overcome barriers, yet more fractious than ever, the key lesson from this day, from this event and from the warm hand of friendship extended to the Bath Islamic Society by Kingswood school is that this quest for understanding and togetherness can easily evolve from being aspirational to being a firm pillar upon which we, the next generation build and sustain more tolerant, inclusive and just communities.
(This blog is written by Abdullahi sheriff, on the request of Imam Rashad)
