This guide was developed by Des Chow, Wythenshawe Hospital and Jonathan Robert, Bolton, Salford and

Trafford Mental Health Trust for staff in N. H. S. trust settings. Some of the terminology will therefore reflect

this original purpose.

N. B. Permission for this document to be used on the Good Practice IN Community Involvement web site was given by Mr. Roberts in July 2005.

CONTENTS

1. Introduction 2

2. Communication 3

3. Culture and society 7

4. Census information 9

5. Community Guidance Fact Sheets10

i. Irish Community

ii. African-Caribbean Community 10

iii. Bangladeshi Community 14

iv. Chinese Community 18

v. Christian Community 24

vi. Indian Community 28

vii. Jewish Community 35

viii. Muslim (Followers of Islam) 44

ix. Pakistan Community 48

x. Romany Traveller & Gypsies 52

xi. Sikh Community 55

xii. Somali Community 58

6. Refugees and Asylum Seekers - Frequently Asked Questions 60

7. Further Information 64

8. Glossary of Terms 71

9. References/acknowledgements 80

1. INTRODUCTION

This Community Handbook has been designed to give more insight and understanding of the diverse backgrounds of the community which we are part of and serve, and to gain an appreciation of the different languages, culture, customs and religion. The first section on communication will help to break down the language barriers and make it easier for patients and their relatives to understand us, as well as helping our staff to gather the relevant information needed to care for the patient in what is frequently a stressful situation. A handbook like this can only touch on the basic cultural and religious issues but will hopefully give some direction. Included, in section 7, is a list of online websites for further in-depth information and research. There is an important balance to be struck between helping staff, the public and patients to interact by developing our knowledge, whilst also ensuring that the process does not reinforce assumptions and stereotypes. The handbook aims to help people to live, work and lead healthy lives together without causing offence through ignorance, and to nurture tolerance and respect through understanding. It is hoped that you and your colleagues will find this handbook interesting and enlightening. GMAS NHS Trust is dedicated to providing an equitable service, with respect for public, patients and staff.32. COMMUNICATION

Just as there are many different languages spoken within Europe there are many distinct languages throughout Asia and Africa. For example, people from the Indian sub-continent (including Pakistan and Bangladesh) may speak any one of seven major languages as their first language. As with Europeans they may also be able to speak some of the other languages, and English, to a greater or lesser extent.

The number of different languages and dialects used within our communities means that it is beyond the scope of this Handbook to provide more than a basic introduction, although we do suggest that the ability to use the usual Islamic, Hindu, or Sikh greetings, as appropriate, will be appreciated. People of Asian and African origin living in this country are able to use English with varying degrees of ability depending on their age, education and the amount of contact with English speakers.

Although it may feel safe to assume that young people from ethnic minority groups who were born and brought up in Britain are just as capable of using English as their white friends, it would be unwise to make assumptions about older generations. Some may be fluent English speakers and will resent being patronised by being spoken to in a slow, deliberate way. Others, who are normally adequate in everyday situations, may find it more difficult when faced with a stressful situation. It may also be the case that new migrants are not as fluent in speaking English whether they are young or old.

Remember not to make assumptions and adapt your approach to each differentsituation.

The following are some tips to help to ensure you are understood in situations where a patient or their family may be struggling to communicate in English.Speak clearly, slowly and calmly - don't shout as this is intimidating. If you have to repeat something, repeat it exactly, don't paraphrase.

If possible, use open-ended questions rather than those expecting a Yes/No answer. In this way, you can be more confident that you've been understood, e.g. " What is your son’s name?" rather than "Is your son's name Rashid?" or ‘What medicine did your child swallow?’ instead of ‘Did your child swallow any medicine?’.

Also asking, "Do you understand?" and receiving the answer "yes", is no guarantee that you have been understood. Don't forget to check for non-verbal signals of incomprehension, for example a fixed smile or a blank look.4Use simple words where there is a choice, e.g. ‘end’ instead of ‘conclude’, ‘car’ or ‘ambulance’ rather than ‘transportation’. Avoid jargon or specialist language.

Keep your sentences as short and simple as possible, e.g. ‘What time will your partner get home?’ and not ‘Would you mind telling me what time your partner gets home?’

Use active rather than passive verbs, for example ‘The paramedic will take your details’ rather than ‘Your details will be taken by the paramedic.’

Consider using visual as well as verbal communication to reinforce your message. Pictures, mime or signs can help someone understand what you are saying when words alone are insufficient.

If you need to write a note or message, it is better to leave a simple written note. If you are dealing regularly with people from a particular ethnic minority group who have very little English, it is worth considering having your multi-lingual emergency phrase book prepared with the phrases you are most likely to use in the appropriate community language, so that you can point to the appropriate phrase. If that does not resolve the situation, try using Language Line (0845-3109900) or similar facility.

Remember that the whole point of language is as a means of two-way communication. You can transmit what you think is a clear message but you have failed to communicate unless the listener understands it.

By being aware of the factors that create problems for the listener, adapting your approach accordingly, and being patient you will communicate more effectively and make your job easier.5

TO HELP YOURSELF AND BE CULTURALLYCOMPETENT

Develop a general understanding of the faiths and faith communities

Become aware of the issues that affect people from minority ethnic communities.

Understand their backgrounds, aspirations and cultural practices.

Be colour conscious, not colour blind. Fair treatment involves taking account of difference.

Treat all people with dignity and respect.

Don’t always treat them as you would like to be treated as their values and standards will not be the same as yours. Observe the Rule – treat individuals as they would like to be treated (which means you have to ask them).

Treating everyone in the same way is not necessarily the same thing as treating everyone fairly.

Don't project cultural stereotypes. In some communities lack of eye contact is a sign of respect but don't assume, for example, that all young black people avoid eye contact for that reason.

Many young communities are second and third generation British born citizens and may be no different from any other teenager when faced with uniform or authority figures.

Ritual prayers and customs are an essential part of the cultural and religious practices of some minority ethnic communities.

If in doubt, ask. A polite and well-intentioned inquiry about how to pronounce a name or about a particular religious belief or a language requirement will not be offensive when prompted by a genuine desire to get it right.

6TEN GOOD PRACTICE STEPS

When working with people whose culture is not the same as your own: Never make assumptions- always ask if unsure. Always take time to find out.

Please ask for a person's first/personal, (second/middle), last/family name. If in doubt, ask the person to repeat or write it down if it helps you.

Wherever possible, recognise that there are different ways to communicate in different cultures and be flexible about how best to conduct an objective and open dialogue. If possible, use independent interpreters (language line) so as to ensure impartiality and the quality of information received.

Review custom and practice when visiting patients and the public at home when they belong to a community group.

Keep a diary of the dates of relevant holy days and festivals and update it regularly.

Remember that not every member of a cultural group is an expert – do not assume that blanket statements on ethnic and cultural groups are true. There are always individual and sub-group differences.

If in doubt about any matter, ask. Do not assume anything, especially about body language and gestures. Better to confirm an obvious fact than assume wrongly.

Celebrate difference - recognise that difference is a strength not a weakness and that it is impossible to have exhaustive guidance on these issues. Therefore, embrace difference rather than see it as a problem.

Use plain and straightforward language. Consider the background and needs of a person or group and be ready to explain the terms specific to your area of work.

Listen, learn, respect and involve.

3. CULTURE AND SOCIETY

What is culture? It has many meanings to many people. The dictionary definition is “learned or shared behaviour and perceptions of a group which are transmitted from generation to generation through a shared system”. Consider how quickly society has evolved over the last 20 years - Emails, Sunday shopping, marriage, rugs, abortion, sex, religion, education, music, class, working structures, attitudes and media!

The aim of these guidelines is to recognise our culturally diverse environment and to celebrate it. It is hoped that it will support you in working with different communities and cultures and will complement your own understanding. There are however sub-groups and differences between generations and we have not been able to provide a guide which covers every group you may encounter. Many of the people who came to Britain from abroad have had to cope with very severe pressures. The roles they assume combined with the lack of support of the extended family and the hostility sometimes experienced from British society, can create grave tensions which may lead to personal, emotional and physical breakdown as well as to the fragmentation of the family as they know it. For many communities or individuals, their source of identity may often lie within the social and religious affiliations brought to Britain rather than in what we may traditionally view as “British” society.

Among the young brought up in Britain there is again as much diversity of religious belief and practice as among their peers. However, their education in British schools and in a Christian-based society with a strong secular emphasis is most unlikely to have helped them towards any knowledge or understanding of their parents' beliefs. Racist and negative attitudes among some individuals in the majority community towards minority cultures may also have affected their attitudes towards their parents' religion and origins. The lack of positive images in the media and public life may also be contributory factors and may leave lasting impressions in the minds of young people in their quest for an identity. The degree of young people’s understanding and faith will therefore depend largely on parental influence, and on the provision made by their own community. Some young people may be well informed about their faith and may be very devout. Others who are not, may nevertheless wish to retain some of its practices, particularly when in a vulnerable situation or in times of adversity. Some recent migrants such as refugee groups or asylum seekers, may wish to continue with their religious and cultural values, and their beliefs and meanings. They may have to cope with the feelings of displacement and hostility experienced in their adopted home. This, combined with fleeing from persecution by oppressive regimes, can add to the traumas they experience. These guidelines may be subject to variation according to individual, cultural and theological beliefs and interpretation. It cannot cover every individual’s belief or practice but gives a base to work from. They may be of help to those staff who find themselves in unfamiliar situations, and need to meet the cultural and religious needs of their patients, particularly if no immediate family members or friends are available.

This handbook will introduce some of the things that have to be considered when dealing with people of different cultures and religions. It does highlight the diversity of individuals within each cultural group and the richness of diversity in Greater Manchester. So remember ……………

Treat everyone equally but individually!!

94. CENSUS INFORMATION

Some Facts & Figures from the 2001 Census:

Greater Manchester County’s total population is 2,482,328 people2,260,507 white people represent 91% of the population42,646 Irish represents 1.7% of the population11,858 Chinese represents 0.4% of the population20,064 Bangladeshi represents 0.9% of the population75,187 Pakistani represents 3% of the population35,931 Indians represents 1.4% of the population16,233 Black Caribbeans represents 0.6% of the population10,255 Black Africans represents 0.4% of the population506,856 people have a limiting long-term illness275,723 people in Greater Manchester describe their health as ‘not good’Only 1,037,359 people in Greater Manchester between the ages of 16 and 74 are employedThere are 1,840,599 Christians living in Greater ManchesterThe average household in Greater Manchester contains 2.35 people582,902 people in Greater Manchester have no qualifications at all699,707 people who live in Greater Manchester travel to work by carWomen who live in Greater Manchester out number men as there are1,274,151 females and only 1,208,177 males281,273 people in Greater Manchester have no religionFor the first time there are more people aged 60 and over than there are under 16There are 46,935 full time Students and 125,350 health workers

105 COMMUNITY GUIDANCE FACT SHEETS

Irish Community

Introduction

In recent years there has been growing concern within the Irish community, Mind and other agencies and professionals working in the mental health field about the mental health of Irish people in Britain.Irish people have the highest rates of admission to psychiatric hospitals in the UK. They are almost twice as likely to be hospitalised for mental distress than their native-born counterparts. Because of an absence until recently of an Irish ethnicity category in census data these statistics refer only to Irish born people and therefore neglect second and third generation people.

It is not possible to compare UK figures with Ireland due to differences in data collection, availability of support in rural area, absence of community services and differences in in-patient stay. Evidence suggests that the incidence of schizophrenia is not in excess of rates found elsewhere, and that admission rates in Ireland are skewed by the acute psychiatric bed availability, few inpatient or community care facilities and poverty, unemployment and isolation in rural areas.

For many Irish people, living in Britain can be just as difficult as it is for people from visible minorities, i.e., people from African Caribbean and Asian backgrounds. They have experiences of prejudice and discrimination, which are similar to people from Africa, the Caribbean and the Indian sub-continent, yet they are not considered to be in need of culturally-sensitive services.

The dominant understanding of racism in Britain is seen in terms of a black-white dichotomy. Irish people are often classified with the indigenous population or with other white minorities, as a result Irish issues often remain invisible. The absence of an Irish ethnicity category in the census means that only Irish-born people are counted and this statistical invisibility impacts on planning and provision of services for this community. The absence of census data results in a lack of research evidence to support claims for services to meet specific needs. The inclusion of the Irish in the “white” category denies the distinctiveness of Irish culture and presumes that mainstream services can provide adequate care.

A development worker from the Federation of Irish Societies concluded that services that recognise the distinct culture of Irish-born people are in short supply. Irish-born people are statistically more likely to be socially disadvantaged, experience high levels of physical and mental health problems and long term

disability, and are also grossly over represented as users of the psychiatric services. Research also shows that Irish men are the only migrant group whose life expectancy worsens on emigration to England. This factsheet aims to give an overview of how the mental health of the Irish community is negatively affected by many factors, including racism.

It highlights examples of racism within the psychiatric service and how it exacerbates mental distress. It is also intended to help raise awareness of the discrimination and the disadvantage experienced by Irish people.

Background

Irish people have been migrating in significant numbers to Britain for the last two centuries.

The 1991 national census recorded 774,310 Irish-born people living in Britain. In1911 there were 550,040 and in 1981 there were 606,851. By 1991, the national census indicated that there were 886,934 Irish-born people in Britain, of which around two thirds were from the Irish Republic.

Irish-born people now make up approximately 1.5 per cent of Britain’s population. When people of Irish parentage are included, the figure rises to 2.5 million, that is, 4.6 per cent of the population making Irish-born people in Britain, the largest migrant minority in Western Europe.

The Irish, like other minority groups are not homogenous, and come from different socio-economic groups. Differences stem from religious origin, place of birth, whether from a town or a rural background, age, and time in Britain etc. Some will originate in Northern Ireland, others from the Irish Republic and many who identify as Irish will have been born in the UK. Irish people have also intermarried or formed unions with people from other communities and a significant number will identify with one or more aspects of their mixed heritage.

Irish people who are gay or lesbian, disabled, elderly, homeless or with mental health problems experience additional discrimination in wider society and sadly all too often within their community.

Over half the population of Irish-born people in Britain live in London and the rest in major metropolitan cities. These are the traditional areas of Irish settlement, although in recent years there has been a trend to move outwards from these areas.

The Irish experience in Britain

Irish-born people, who have emigrated from their own country to find employment and make a new life, have contributed to the development of industry, commerce and services in Britain. Patterns of migration for Irish-born people differ from other groups in that men and women migrated alone rather than in families.

Many Irish-born people, on their arrival to Britain, despite being white and English speaking, experience culture shock, alienation and racism. A sense of loss and feelings of alienation are common experiences shared among all minority groups. As with other minority groups the combination of social and cultural needs increases the likelihood of mental distress. The colonial relationship between Ireland and England has shaped the beliefs and the behaviour of Irish people and contributed to feelings of inferiority which are easy to reject in Ireland, but more difficult to ‘throw off’ living in England. Such conflicts occur when Irish people are confronted by negative stereotypes. They are faced with the choice of either ignoring or confronting them. Either way can be a recipe for distress.

Most ethnic monitoring programmes do not contain a separate category for Irish people. The net result is that that the Irish community continues to be excluded from attempts to tackle discrimination within Britain.

Employment

There are figures that have indicated that Irish people are twice as likely to be unemployed and more likely to be involved in manual, unskilled and personal service employment (44.5 per cent compared with 28.2 per cent British people). A high proportion of Irish men who migrate to Britain are unskilled workers and seek employment in the building industry, where employment is often erratic and conditions are often unhealthy. A major disadvantage of a lifetime of work in the construction industry is that many Irish men are in poor physical health and unable to work. They have not paid insurance contributions and end up without pensions in their old age or when ill. Their work history makes them suspicious of authority and therefore reluctant to access services.

It is important to understand the role of the pub for men who have spent a life in the construction industry. It was where they found work and lodgings as well as a central point for socialising and seeking safety from hostility and isolation. The need to move around England for work has meant that many have never set down roots and have no supportive relationships in time of need. Sadly the conviviality of the pub has led to problem drinking for some whose working life ended abruptly with occupational injury poor health or redundancy.

Irish women tended to migrate alone and, although they obtained varied employment, many worked as domestics or in nursing occupations. Changes in patterns of employment mean that minority-ethnic women are now more likely to

be in part-time work on fixed-term contracts or in casual employment. Long unsociable hours, poor pay and the need to send money home to support the family meant that many Irish women also never married. Those Irish women who did marry were also more likely to marry non-Irish men and more likely to give up paid employment when their children are small. This can lead to social isolation and economic dependence. The pressure to preserve culture and for children to do well has been difficult for all ethnic minority women, and Irish women have experienced the additional stress of racism and discrimination through their children.

All these factors contribute to the high levels of mental health problems, particularly depression , in Irish women. Thus in later life many Irish people have few social support networks or community links. Inadequate social support networks in Britain not only contributes to poor health but can also delay recovery and impair rehabilitation.

Patterns of migration have changed since the 1980s with a reduction in numbers and much return migration. The majority of migrants are well-educated, highly-qualified and in search of career development before returning home. However a significant number of young unskilled people with a range of mental health and substance related problems continue to arrive in England’s cities.

Housing

The 1991 census revealed that Irish people are far more likely to reside in the private rented sector. This frequently equates to shared accommodation which is in poor condition. Hostel figures were also disturbing, with a third of all hostel occupancies in inner London being taken by Irish people and a quarter in outer London.

Homelessness among the single Irish is an acute problem. A survey of housing in London showed that 36 per cent of residents in short stay hostels were Irish but only 4 per cent of those securing permanent accommodation from hostels were Irish. More than 30 per cent of homeless people encountered on the street were Irish.

In the absence of up to date research, statistical data from the Irish agencies working in the UK indicate poor housing and living conditions, homelessness, low paid employment, unemployment and harassment as major problems for Irish people. The Irish often make up the largest single group sleeping rough in Britain’s cities, and are more than twice as likely to be admitted to hospital with a diagnosis of mental illness as the indigenous population.

Older Irish-born people

Unlike other minority ethnic groups the Irish community in Britain is disproportionately older and there is widespread evidence of material and social disadvantage. This disparity also occurs in mental ill-health. According to the 1991 census, 58 per cent of the Irish community was over 45 and 22 per cent were of pensionable age. This is in marked contrast with the profile of the “New Commonwealth” population with 27 per cent aged over 45 and 6 per cent of pensionable age.

As with the host community, women outnumber men, but there is a significant difference in that Irish men are more likely to suffer long-term limiting disability. There is a recognised link between physical and mental illness in old age and this must contribute to some of the depression experienced by older Irish-born people. Irish older people become socially isolated because of ill health, poor housing, reliance on public transport and fear of crime. They have few social support systems and are reluctant to access culturally insensitive mainstream services.

Gender

Despite the common British stereotype of Irish ‘Paddies’ and ‘Micks’, Irish women have outnumbered men in Britain for most of the twentieth century. In 1991 there were 417,027 Irish-born women and 371,253 Irish-born men in England and Wales.

Research conducted in Haringey by Paddy Walls, a counsellor who works with Irish women in London, found that Irish women were over-represented in psychiatric admission rates especially in the 25-44 age band. They had the highest incidence of admission for depression and were also likely to be given a secondary diagnosis of alcohol abuse. Irish women (and men) suffering from depression were significantly more likely to have attempted suicide and some on a number of occasions.

Paddy Maynes, has also stated: “Irish women I see are suffering from panic attacks, depression, suicidal tendencies, guilt and isolation – Irish culture doesn’t encourage us to confront that, to be upfront about our emotional difficulties, to take time to say ‘I feel this’, so we tend to resort to the easiest ways of repressing them, like with tranquillisers.” Irish men in Walls study had high admission rates for schizophrenia and secondary diagnosis of alcohol abuse. Although more research is needed there is some evidence that Irish men are more likely to be referred to services by the police and the courts.

Racism

Mental health problems can be caused by many factors; oppression in the form of racism is undoubtedly one such factor. The social conditions of Irish-born people and of people from other minority ethnic communities must be considered in any assessment of the health of these communities. It has been established and proven that Irish-born people face discrimination in the fields of employment, health, housing and education. This means that like other minority ethnic groups, Irish-born people are often denied access to, or given second-rate opportunities in these areas. These conditions must contribute to mental distress.

The criminal justice system

The Irish are usually ignored in the context of studies of minority ethnic groups and the criminal justice system. Like people from the African-Caribbean community, Irish-born people experience considerable police harassment. This occurs under the remit of the Prevention of Terrorism Act and gives the police powers to stop, search and detain without supporting evidence. Police harassment can fall into two categories. One is specifically targeted in relation to Northern Ireland and the operation of the Prevention of Terrorism Act. However, the other, which is much more widespread, may be part of a pervasive set of anti-Irish attitudes in the British police force. Many instances were reported to agencies of police attack and abuse of Irish-born people triggered by hearing Irish accents or names.

Statistics

Irish-born people are more than twice as likely as native born people to be hospitalised for mental distress. In the case of men, the number of Irish-born admissions is more than triple the figure of English people and other minority ethnic groups. Irish psychiatric admissions are concentrated in the 25-44 age band, with rates within this age band reaching 76 per 10,000 for Irish women and 35 per 10,000 for Irish men. The rate of admissions for England was 5.5 per 10,000 population.

Irish-born people are over-represented in most diagnostic categories, but the figures for depression and alcohol-related disorders are particularly striking. Men and women born in the Republic of Ireland have approximately nine times, and women seven times, the rate of alcohol-related disorders.

Rates of admission to hospital for depression show that those born in the Republic of Ireland have two and a half times the rate of their British born counterparts. The incidence of schizophrenia, anxiety and, to a lesser extent, personality disorders are also higher than in most groups.

The Brent survey also found that there was a disproportionate number of Irish-born people compulsorily detained under the Mental Health Act and ECT was more likely to be administered to Irish patients. There is evidence of the under-use of expensive non-physical, preventative therapies or talking treatments such as counselling, psychotherapy or group therapy.

In an analysis of admissions to psychiatric hospitals in the London Borough of Brent and the City of Westminster in the year to March 1991, Irish-born people comprised 15 per cent of clients with identifiable origin, while the local Irish population was 8.7 per cent (census 1991). In 1996, a report of the Irish population in Haringey, London, found that Irish women were particularly over-represented, with an admission rate of 40 per 10,000 population. Some psychiatric admissions may be due to misdiagnosis informed by negative cultural assumptions. The high admission rates have an impact in terms of transient housing, low incomes, social relationship difficulties.

Mary Tilki argues that “ culturally-sensitive provision is central for all minority groups but there is a distinct resistance to Irish sensitivity”.

Suicide and self-harm

Research has shown that of all ethnic groups in Britain, the Irish have the highest rates of suicide. From 1988 to 1992 the Irish rate for suicide and undetermined deaths was 53 per cent in excess of the native-born rate (at an age-standardised mortality of 17.4 per 100,000). There is little indication that these figures have changed over the years. A London study of the period 1991-1993 found a significant mis-classification of immigrant suicides, with a strong tendency for the official figures to underestimate Irish suicides. The authors of this report calculated the Irish rate as being higher, by a factor of 2.2 (for men) and 2.9 (for women) than the rate for native-born people.

In the UK, suicide is the second most common cause of death, after road traffic accidents, for those aged 15–35 years, in Ireland suicide is the principle cause of death in young people.

Studies have also shown that Irish-born people are over-represented in admission figures for attempted suicide and self-poisoning.

Diagnosis and assessment of mental ill-health

Psychiatrists, the police and Approved Social Workers (ASWs) all have statutory responsibilities under the Mental Health Act 1983 with respect to the recognition of mental health problems. There is concern, particularly in relation to people from Black and Minority Ethnic communities, that these professionals do not have the awareness of cultural values and norms necessary to do this task effectively.

Of the three professions with responsibilities for assessment under the Mental Health Act, only ASWs have a statutory requirement to show an understanding of working in a multi-racial society. There is no requirement during the training of doctors, nurses, police and social workers to demonstrate cultural sensitivity.

GPs and psychiatrists make diagnoses as well as deciding upon the type of care to be offered. Psychiatrists currently diagnose serious mental health problems in people from Black and Minority Ethnic communities at much higher levels than amongst the white community. There is concern that lack of training in, and lack of awareness of different cultures may lead to incorrect diagnosis.

Alcohol mis-use by some Irish migrants may be a response to being homesick or to discrimination. When this problem is compounded with poverty, discrimination, unemployment or homelessness it can inflict huge psychological distress on an Irish person’s well being.

Diagnosis may be based on prejudice, lack of cultural understanding and stereotypical assumptions such as “mad Irishman” and “alcoholic” making them questionable. There is anecdotal evidence from Irish voluntary sector agencies that alcohol is also used by some Irish-born people as a form of self-medication when the symptoms of depression or schizophrenia make life difficult. This can result in a diagnosis of alcoholism with the underlying disorder being neglected. As in the case of the African Caribbean person, who is likely to have a secondary diagnosis of cannabis psychosis, the Irish person is likely to have a secondary diagnosis of alcoholism. As with some other communities religious devotion is often misinterpreted by practitioners, who do not understand the significance of prayer and religious rituals for some Irish clients. There is also a tendency to blame mental illness on “Irish catholic guilt” thus making the assumption that all Irish people are of the same faith. It also and neglects both the reality of exclusion and disadvantage and the importance of faith and prayer to people in distress.

Although Irish-born people speak English, the language is sometimes used differently and can be misconstrued by professionals assessing the client. Despite legislation to deter racist abuse, it is still common for accents or colloquialisms to be ridiculed. This may evoke an angry response, and thereby confirm the negative stereotype assumptions that the perpetrator believes.

Approved Social Workers (ASWs) are involved in the assessment of people in a “mental health emergency”. They receive specific training for the purposes of this assessment and it is their role to decide the best course of action. This could involve a decision to detain an individual in hospital under a section of the Mental Health Act.

GPs play an important role for people from the Irish community because they are frequently their first point of contact with the psychiatric system. As with psychiatrists, the Police, ASWs and indeed all health professionals, better training is needed for GPs to increase their awareness of Irish-born people and hence to provide an improved service. There is little research or information about GPs in relation to the Irish communities.

Treatment/services

There is evidence that Irish-born people are reluctant to access health care, which may mean that problems are never discussed, get out of hand and require crisis intervention, or may lead to suicide. Despite the high incidence of mental distress, Irish people appear to be less likely to access counselling and psychotherapy services. It has been suggested that the main reason why the Irish are reluctant to seek help is because of the cultural tendency not to admit to problems. The Director of the Immigrant Counselling and Psychotherapy Centre has stated that “It is much easier to cloak our problems with alcohol and religion”. While there is some truth in that assertion it is more likely that like other people from minority ethnic groups that talking therapies are not offered to Irish people. The success of ICAP and other Irish organisations testifies to the fact that Irish people will happily access services that are culturally sensitive. A significant number of Irish-born people are marginalised and can only be identified and treated by appropriate outreach services. As in other communities, insensitivity, hostility and stigma prevent people accessing help early enough.

Often treatment and services for the Irish community are not relevant to their needs or of a high enough quality. Services need to be appropriate to the culture of clients in order to be effective. For example, a recent report of the views of Irish mental health service users in Brent found that there were no Irish-specific social workers or outreach workers employed in the mental health field in Brent. There were no Irish psychiatrists practising in any of the borough’s hospitals. In addition, there were no Irish-specific mental health resources similar to those provided for other ethnic communities who, like the Irish, suffer dis-proportionate levels of mental illness compared to the host community. Mary Tilki argues that “current models of good practice need to include joint provision between a local NHS trust and the Irish voluntary sector. An example of

good practice could be outreach services, which would be jointly funded by the voluntary and the statutory sector. Its support services could, for example, include alcohol counselling/advice work and an elderly project.”

Ethnic monitoring of hospital in-patients has only been mandatory since April 1995; hence there is at present, a dearth of statistics on the different treatments received by people from different ethnic groups. The 2001 census categories require the Irish to be monitored as a separate group, and service providers are now required to do this. Pressure must be put on PCGs PCTs to ensure that the GP who is the first line of treatment and prevention for the majority of clients be obliged to keep ethnic monitoring records.

Good practice

The effectiveness of Irish service providers, operating with few resources, has been highlighted and documented. There is a need to invest in capacity building to expand the ability of the Irish voluntary sector to meet the needs of Irish people in Britain.

An appropriate service development for people from Irish communities, as with other Black and minority ethnic communities, requires their involvement in planning and implementation from the outset, rather than services, which are not tailored to meet their needs. “Having an awareness of culture and the needs of people from different cultural backgrounds, for example, would work against a tendency to slot people into cubby-holes for diagnosis; it would mitigate against blanket diagnoses for particular groups, and it would engender working with clients and carers in the planning as well as implementation of appropriate treatment.” (Melba Wilson, Mind Race Advisor, 1998). This means that Black and minority ethnic organisations can provide valuable input to mainstream, statutory agencies regarding diagnosis, assessment and treatments. Where this occurs the notion of ‘mainstream’ can appropriately be redefined and good quality services can be established.

Written by Carole Reid-Galloway, last updated by George Stewart, Mind Information Unit November 2001

There are Irish community organisations or centres in many parts of Great Britain. Details are available from various national bodies with links around the country. Some of these include:

Federation of Irish SocietiesThe Irish Centre, 50-52 Camden Square, London NW1 9XBtel. 020 7916 2725

Immigrant Counselling and Psychotherapy79 ½Tollington Park, London N4 3AGtel. 020 7272 7906 Counselling service 9am–5pmIrish Community Care289 Cheetham Hill Road, Manchester M8 0SNtel. 0161 205 9105Drop-in, advice and information services on benefits and legal issuesIrish Support and Advice ServiceHammersmith Irish Centre, Black’s Road, London W6 9DTtel. 020 8741 0466Provides a frontline advice and support and counselling serviceInnisfree Housing Association190 Iverson Road, London NW6 2HLtel. 020 7625 1818Provide a housing service for the Irish communityIrish Welfare and Information CentrePlunkett House, 72 Digbeth, Birmingham B5 6DHtel. 0121 604 6111Islington Women’s Counselling CentreEastgate Building, 131B St. John’s Way London N19 3RQtel. 020 7281 2673Specialists counsellors for Irish womenKilburn Irish Youth Counselling ServiceKingsland Community Centre, 107 Kingsgate Road, London NW6 2JHtel. 020 7372 1764Services offered to Irish people aged 16-33. Counselling, advice and information servicesLondon Irish Women’s Centre59 Stoke Newington Church Street, London N16 0ARtel. 020 7249 7318Counselling, advice and Information services

AFRICAN-CARIBBEAN COMMUNITY

Background

The description "Afro-Caribbean" or "African-Caribbean" reflects the fact that in Britain most of the people from the Caribbean are originally of African descent. In many cases, their ancestors were forcibly removed from their homelands in West Africa and transported to the West Indies to work on the cotton, tobacco and sugar plantations as part of the notorious slave trade up to the 1830s. Even after slavery was abolished, the Caribbean islands continued to be exploited by the European countries that controlled them and their peoples have looked for work in other countries ever since. Several thousand found employment in Britain during the First World War when the government encouraged them to come here at a time of labour shortage. Similarly, after the Second World War, many came here in the 1950s when they were recruited to fulfil jobs in the transport industry and in other sectors where labour was scarce. Not all people from the West Indies or Caribbean are of African descent. Some were recruited from the Indian sub-continent to work on the plantations after the abolition of slavery and some of Britain's Caribbean people are Guyanese who originated in India.

Language

European involvement in the Caribbean began in 1492 with the arrival of Christopher Columbus. Soon several European nations had seized many of the islands, which came to be known as the West Indies, including Spain, France, Holland and Britain (which took Jamaica). By the mid 1700’s every island was controlled by a European country. As a consequence most of the languages spoken in the Caribbean are European, the three most common being Spanish, French and English.

The language of the original people disappeared long ago and the African slaves who were transported to the islands were not allowed to speak their own languages.

In the islands where Britain was involved there developed a distinct difference between the English spoken by the whites and educated classes and the 'patois' spoken by the ordinary people. It is said that the patois or dialect was invented and used by the slaves as a way of talking to each other without the ‘masters’ understanding and today it is considered as a language in its own right. It has been adopted and adapted by Britain's young Blacks as a badge of identity and it is used in Rap and Reggae music.

Culture and Religion

There are more than a hundred islands in the Caribbean in an area covering two thousand miles from Cuba in the west to Trinidad off the coast of Venezuela. The

islands each have their own cultures and traditions so a common Caribbean culture does not really exist.

The majority of people who came to Britain from the Caribbean came from Jamaica, Barbados or Trinidad. Smaller numbers have come directly from West Africa, mainly Nigeria and Ghana These Caribbean people have English as their first language: Jamaica and Trinidad were British colonies before becoming independent in 1962. Perhaps the most significant influence on the lives of many Afro-Caribbeans is the effect of a long and continuing history of domination and, more recently, discrimination. What started with the slave trade and continued with colonial rule by the European powers is now seen as the British people's continued hostility to the presence of Afro-Caribbean people in this country. This sense of rejection and exclusion means that they tend to prefer their own separate community organisations, such as sports, social clubs and cultural centres. Given this background it is perhaps inevitable that establishment and uniformed figures in society become a focus for the general hostility that Afro-Caribbean people feel that they are still experiencing. It is said that a major factor which unites Afro-Caribbean people is a history of domination by the European countries which controlled the Caribbean from the 17th century until quite recently. Many arguments were put forward for colonialism including idealism, geographical domination, religious purification, capitalism and slavery .Thus the Blacks’ own cultures were suppressed for centuries as part of colonial rule. Given this history it is easier to understand why a cultural identity is so important and why some Afro-Caribbean people feel a strong desire to reclaim or create their own distinctive identity, particularly when they may feel that British society has rejected or repressed them. Most of the world's major religions are represented in the Caribbean islands but Christianity is the predominant religion in Britain's Afro-Caribbean communities. However, Evangelical and Pentecostal churches are usually preferred to the established church which is not perceived as being generally welcoming to Blacks. The Rastafarian Movement, with its celebration of Black identity and African roots, provides an alternative to Christianity for those who seek a religion which is specifically identified with Black culture.

Rastafarianism

Background

The Rastafarian religion developed in Jamaica as an expression of the African identity of Black people in the West Indies. It is based on the ideas of Marcus Garvey, a Black Jamaican who founded the Universal Negro Improvement2Association (UNIA) in the 1920s as a means of restoring the dignity of Blacks, lost through many years of domination and colonisation by Europeans.

The Rastafarian religion takes its name from Ras Tafari Makonnen, born in 1892 who took the title of Haile Selassie 1 when he was crowned Emperor of Ethiopia in November 1930.

Marcus Garvey had prophesied earlier, “Look to Africa, when a Black king shall be crowned, for the day of deliverance is near” and his followers were convinced that this event marked the second coming of Christ in the person of Haile Selassie. He was deposed in 1974 and died in 1975 but his followers believe he is still present in another life.

Beliefs

Rastafarianism is based on the Christian faith but it rejects the European concept of God as white, believing that it is equally valid for Blacks to believe in a black God. Rastafarians believe that the Bible provides evidence that the Israelites were black and that Rastas now living in exile in Jamaica are their descendants.

Rastafarians share the moral values of Christianity but they also believe strongly in the power of nature and believe that the human race should live in harmony with nature and that the destruction of the environment by the developed nations is evil.

Diet

A preference for natural foods is to be expected from Rastafarian beliefs and although there are no formal dietary restrictions a vegetarian diet is preferable to meat. Rastafarians will not eat pork, or foods containing pork or its by-products. Many Rastafarians do not believe in drinking alcohol but may use marijuana (or “ganja”). This is controversial, in some parts of Britain. For the Rastafarians it is believed to assist prayer and meditation and to have medicinal properties. Interestingly there is increasing evidence that it does have therapeutic value, for example, in relieving some of the symptoms associated with multiple sclerosis.

Symbols

The best-known symbol identified with Rastafarianism is the wearing of hair in “dreadlocks”. This is derived from a reference in the Book of Numbers (Chapter 6,Verse 5) in the King James Bible, the version of the Bible which is very importantto Rastafarians.

The dreadlocks represent the lion's mane and the hair of the African warrior. The colours red, gold, green and black have special significance. Red symbolises the blood of the race shed in the past, gold symbolises sunshine and green the promise of a new life in Africa, whilst black symbolises pride in the black skin.

Babylon

The name of the ancient city has been adopted by Rastafarians to embody the whole concept of white domination and conditioning aimed at persuading Blacks to accept that they are inferior. It has become a sort of code-word, particularly for young Blacks, who use it to symbolise the racial prejudice and social injustice which they experience in Britain.

It is worth emphasising that many young people find the cultural identity provided by the symbols of Rastafarianism attractive without being believers in the faith and living by its codes of behaviour.

True Rastafarians often resent the effect this behaviour has on people's perception of their faith.

14II. BANGLADESHI COMMUNITY

Background

Bangladesh was formed in 1971 when it achieved independence from Pakistan after a civil war. Previously, it had been known as East Pakistan. The name 'Bangladesh' means “land of the Bengali people” and, in fact, the country shares a border with the Indian state of West Bengal whose people are also Bengalis.

95% of Bangladeshis in Britain come from the Sylhet region of Bangladesh which has one of the wettest climates in the world. It is a flat land of wide rivers, very prone to flooding and during the monsoon season much of the area can only be reached by boat.

The majority of Britain's Bangladeshis live in Greater London with the largest concentration being in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. There are also communities in most urban areas.

Men from Bangladesh (then East Pakistan) first started to settle in Britain in any numbers in the 1950s. Many served in the merchant navy in the Second World War and there was a long seafaring tradition with many men serving as stokers and cooks. Some of these seamen took jobs such as porters in hotels in London and other ports. These provided the nucleus for the larger numbers of men who arrived in the late 50s and early 60s to take a wide variety of largely unskilled jobs ranging from garment making in the East End of London to steel working inSheffield to textiles in the North.

A large number of Bangladeshi men were invited to come to Britain through the Employment Voucher Scheme to take jobs in the textile industry which British white people here would not do. Bangladeshis along with other Asian workers played an essential role in enabling British manufacturing (particularly textiles) to recover productivity and rebuild the economy after the war. Employment in the traditional manufacturing industries was the main reason for Bangladeshis settling in Britain but with the decline in these industries the community has branched out and established catering businesses which has been the reason for small pockets of Bangladeshis in many British towns. It is interesting to note that more than 75% of “Indian” restaurants are actually run by Bangladeshis. Their own traditional cuisine is based on fish and not considered suitable for British tastes so they have adopted the more familiar dishes of Northern India with great success.

In common with many immigrant communities the Bangladeshi community is experiencing a widening gap between its older, first generation, members and the younger generation. They are traditionally a gentle, law-abiding people and the older generation has tolerated much racial abuse with an uncommon degree of forbearance. However, the younger generation Bangladeshis, many born and

brought up here, are not prepared to put up with the ill treatment their parents suffered and are less tolerant if subjected to abuse and racial violence. Forty percent of the Bangladeshi community in Britain are under 20 years of age. The Bangladeshi community in Britain came mainly from rural, farming backgrounds and their cultural tradition is largely based on folk music and storytelling.The country does, however, have a proud literary heritage with writers andartists of great repute, notably Zainal Abeden, Nazrul and Tagore.

As an Islamic people, Bangladeshis celebrate the Muslim festivals and, in addition, their own national days –

Independence Day (26 March)Victory Day (16 December)Shohid Dibosh (21 February)

Bangladeshis are hospitable people and will usually welcome guests with tea orcold drinks. As Muslims they do not drink alcohol.

Language

The language spoken, and the official language of Bangladesh, is Bangla. Britain's Bangladeshis speak the Sylheti dialect of Bangla. Younger Bangladeshis may be more fluent in English than in Sylheti Bangla though the situation may be reversed in the case of the older generation.

Social Attitudes

The extended family is extremely important in Bangladeshi life both in Bangladesh and here. Members of the family will assist one another and will share responsibilities. Bangladeshi culture and tradition places considerable importance on politeness and respect for elders and for those in authority, including the ambulance service. However, Bangladeshis in this country live in a society in which respect for authority seems to be breaking down and younger Bangladeshis are inevitably influenced by these attitudes despite their parents' attempts to uphold traditional values. As a consequence, negative views of uniforms and a more pronounced reaction to racial hostility seem to be on the increase, even amongst the older generation, fuelled by a belief that not enough measures are being taken to stop racist behaviour.

Bangladeshi Names

The naming system used by Muslims from Bangladesh, Pakistan and India is complex and subject to variations. It is difficult, therefore, to give precise guidance about Bangladeshi names and the situation is further complicated by the fact that younger people are increasingly adapting the traditional naming format to fit in with British convention. Males and females have different naming systems so members of the same family may have completely different names.

Women generally do not adopt the husband's name on marriage. Men usually have two or more names:

First is a religious title, often MohammedSecond is a personal name.Examples of personal names are:

Ahmed, Anwar, Arif, Habib, Hanif, Iqbal, Ismael, Jabar, Jamal, Kasem, Malik, Mia, Nasim, Nasir, Omar, Rafiq, Rashid, Salim, Sharif, Tariq, Yusuf

Note: ALI may be both a personal name and a religious name.

So, we would have, for example,

Mohammed IqbalMohammed RafiqA Muslim should never be addressed by his religious name alone since this is disrespectful and likely to cause offence. The personal name can be used alone but the full name e.g. Mohammed Rafiq, is the polite, formal mode of address. Some men do not have a religious title and use two personal names, e.g. Abdul Rafiq, Salim Malik. In this case the second name is usually used as a surname (but not always!). If in doubt, use the full name as a form of address, or ask which name is to be used.

Some men may have a family name i.e. one that is shared by other members of the family. Examples are Khan, Chaudrey and Shah. They may, therefore, have three names - a religious name, a personal name and a family name, e.g. Mohammed Jabar Chaudrey, or two names, e.g. Yusuf Khan if there is no religious name. The family name, where there is one, should be used as the formal mode of address.

Most Muslim women traditionally have two names - a personal name, followed by a female title (e.g. Begum, Bibi), which is similar to Mrs or Miss. Examples of female personal names are:

Amina, Aziza, Fatima, Jameela, Nasreen, Parveen, Razia, Shamina, Yasmin.

So we would have, for example:

Amina BegumRazia Bibi17A woman would be addressed informally by her personal name or formally by her full name - but not as Mrs Begum or Mrs Bibi.

Some women may have two personal names and no title, for example Nasreen Akhtar

Some may have a family name as well, e.g. Nasreen Akhtar Khan It is now more common amongst some second and third generation Bangladeshis settled in Britain to have a shared family name following a personal name as in the British system and for wives to take the family name on marriage.

Festivals

Ramadam (Muslim) based in the lunar calendar towards the end of the year, it is a 30 day fasting period celebrated at the end with a feast where gifts are exchanged

Shaheed Day or Martyrs Day – a remembrance of those whose lives were sacrificed to save the Bengali language on 21st February

Independence & National Day – commemorates Bangladesh becoming a sovereign nation on 16 December 1971

Bengali New Year (Pawhela Boishakh) 26 March

Bijoy Dibosh (Victory Day) – this day remembers the armed forces of Pakistan formally surrendering to the allied forces of Bangladesh and India (16 th December )

18III. CHINESE COMMUNITY

Background

China has the world's largest population of approximately 1 billion people. Most of Britain's Chinese communities originated in Hong Kong and the New Territories.

Britain took control of Hong Kong after the first Anglo-Chinese Opium War in 1843 when they demanded a small island where British merchants would be free to trade in Opium. After a second war between 1858 and 1860 a treaty was signed which gave Britain control of the Kowloon Peninsula and Stonecutters Island and in 1898 China leased a further 365 square miles to Britain. This area, known as the New Territories, is the largest part of what was the Colony of Hong Kong which covered 236 islands and 400 square miles. In 1997 when the leaseon the New Territories expired, Hong Kong reverted back to China. Hong Kong is one of the most densely populated areas of the world with a population of almost 6 million in an area roughly the size of Greater Manchester. Its population has increased about a thousand times since Britain acquired it 150 years ago, most coming from mainland China for political and economic reasons. For example, many people fled to Hong Kong to escape the Communist regime which took control of China in 1949. Since the 1970s, Hong Kong has been the destination for groups of Vietnamese refugees, fleeing from their homeland in small boats.

Hong Kong is one of the world's major centres of trade, its financial and commercial success being based on its status as a free port. No duty is payable on imported goods and raw materials and, combined with the availability of cheap labour, this allows Hong Kong to export at competitive prices.

Language

Inevitably a country the size of China has a range of dialects but the two main languages are MANDARIN and CANTONESE.

Mandarin is the official national language and is used by people from mainland China. Cantonese is the language used in the Guandong province of mainland China - Canton is the provincial capital - and also by the majority of Hong Kong Chinese and therefore by the majority of Britain's Chinese population. English was the official language of Hong Kong until 1974 but it has never been widely used except for public life, tourism and international business. Although there are different spoken languages the pictorial characters used in the written language are common to all of them.

Chinese in Britain

The earliest Chinese migrants to Britain were recruited from the villages of the19

New Territories to serve as sailors on European freighters during the last century. Some of them stayed in Britain when their ships docked in British ports, notably London, Liverpool, Cardiff and Manchester. These early immigrants were from rural communities and their lack of English meant that finding employment was difficult.

Self-employment was the only answer and laundry businesses required little capital, whilst avoiding the need to integrate too much into British society. These small businesses could also provide employment for other family members.

A major wave of immigration followed the Second World War as a result of mass migration to the New Territories by refugees from the newly-established communist regime on mainland China. The resulting population explosion led to an exodus to Britain both of locally-born New Territories Chinese and refugees from the People’s Republic of China, at least until tighter immigration legislation was introduced in 1962.

The usual pattern of Chinese immigration was for single men to emigrate and to send money home to support their families so their roots remained firmly in Hong Kong or wherever they came from. The focus of employment changed during the 1960s from laundry businesses to the catering trade with the growing interest amongst the British in foreign, particularly Chinese and Indian cuisine. Chinese restaurants in and around the ports catering for the Chinese had been around for many years and these provided a nucleus for a boom in business catering for British tastes.

Subsequently, wives and families followed to Britain when the immigration laws were changed in the early 1970s and since then the communities have put down roots in Britain rather than seeing themselves as temporary residents, eventually looking to rejoin families in China.

The Chinese Community and Family

The Chinese in Britain do not tend to form close-knit residential communities in the way that some ethnic minority groups do, most notably those from the Indian sub-continent. The relatively small intimate group of family and friends seems to be much more significant to the Chinese so the communities in Britain are quite dispersed with small numbers contributing to the populations of many towns and cities.

The family is very important in Chinese culture, a tradition strongly influenced by the teachings of Confucius. The family is not just the unit living now but stretches back through generations of ancestors and forward to generations yet to come and ancestors are held in great respect. So an individual's behaviour reflects not only on himself and his immediate family but also on the reputation of his ancestors and on future generations, making for very strong family loyalty.

The father is the head of the family, with responsibility, wealth and property being passed on through the male line. Daughters are considered to have joined their husband's families on marriage and they effectively break the links with their own families.20Like most ethnic minority communities in Britain the Chinese community faces the problem of maintaining a distinctive culture against the pressure to conform to the British way of life.

As usual there is a generation factor: the younger Chinese, exposed to the British education system and western lifestyles are seen by their parents as abandoning the traditions which the older generations wish to continue. Even the question of language may be a matter for contention with children being able to speak English fluently whilst their parents, perhaps, cannot. Attitudes have changed over the years, and since most Chinese families in Britain now view this as their home they want their children to be successful here whilst at the same time retaining and respecting their rich cultural heritage It is perhaps not surprising that they are concerned that the traditional values of respect and self-discipline, should not be lost.

Community Relations

Chinese people in Britain, like most ethnic minority groups, have a traditional respect for authority but will not respect authority figures who show little regard for, or understanding of, their culture. In particular it is necessary to remember that:

The male head of the family should be accorded respect and addressed politely - it would be wise, where possible, to approach him initially rather than young or female members of the family direct.

Any shrines or objects in the home dedicated to the family's ancestorsshould be treated with respect. To damage or remove them would cause great offence.

An over-intrusive manner will be resented.It is possible that, given their own respect for seniority, some members of the Chinese community may react more favourably to an older male staff member, than to a young or female one.

In general, Chinese people are very hospitable and guests or visitors will be welcomed and may be offered refreshments.

Birth, Marriage and Death

Initially, a male child is often given the name of an animal (a 'milk name') to protect against evil spirits and given his proper names later in life. Male children are the family's future and link with ancestors. If no son is born to a family a boy

from a relative’s family is adopted to fulfil that role. In China, the birth of a female child is still a cause for dismay but attitudes are generally more enlightened in Britain’s Chinese communities.

The precise time of birth is recorded using eight Chinese characters called ‘ba-zi’ and this is considered important in predicting a person’s fortune. In particular,21when choosing marriage partners it is considered important that the ‘ba-zi’ of both should be compatible.

Arranged marriage, in common with many other Asian societies, is considered to be the most rational approach because the survival of the family is too important to be left to the vagaries and all-too transient nature of love. Parents and grandparents usually choose a man's prospective wife. Marriage usually takes place in the groom's home rather than in a church or registry office. An important part of the ceremony is devoted to giving thanks to ancestors. Divorce is rare because of the loss of face and moral damage done to the family. Death is another event which must be placed in the family context. Once dead, an individual becomes an ancestor to be respected. Chinese bury their dead close to the family home as quickly as possible because leaving the body above ground is thought to allow the spirit to interfere with the living. The funeral is a time to celebrate wealth and strength of the family and offerings are given so that the spirit can continue to give guidance to the family left behind.

Chinese Names

Once again, the importance of the family is seen in the fact that the surname, or family name, is traditionally written first. However, it is now common for the British convention, i.e. surname last, to be followed. Surnames often relate to a particular village or area where the family's ancestors came from and it is not unusual for all the males from this village to have the same surname. Many people called MAN, for example, originated from a single village in the New Territories and can trace their ancestors back for 600 years. After the surname there are usually two personal names - e.g. Man Ah Choi would be addressed formally as Mr Man. His wife and children would take the family name.

Some Chinese people have adopted the British system and will have a forename followed by the family name e.g. Michael Chan. Common Chinese surnames in Cantonese with the Mandarin pronunciation in brackets are:

CHEUNG (ZHANG) WONG (WANG)LEE (LI) CHAN (CHEN)YEUNG (YANG) LAU (LIU)CHOW (ZHOU)

Festivals

The celebration of traditional Chinese festivals provides an important means of2maintaining their distinctive cultural identity for Britain's Chinese communities.

The main celebration is the New Year festival. At midnight on New Year's Eve, the New Year is welcomed with a festive meal and greetings are exchanged. The Lion dance through the neighbourhood is a traditional part of the celebrations and is believed to bring good luck.

New Year is also the time when Tso Kuan, the family god, returns to heaven to report on how the family has behaved during the year. Special food is prepared in his honour and various rituals carried out to make sure he gives a good report. New Year's Day is the start of several days of public celebrations though it is now shorter than the twenty days the festival traditionally lasted.

Chinese New Year does not fall on the same date as the European New Year because the Chinese use the Lunar Calendar and their New Year's Day is the first day of the Lunar year roughly late January to early February.

The Dragon Boat festival commemorates a celebrated poet, Ch'u Yuan who committed suicide by drowning in protest against a powerful Emperor's treatment of his people over 2000 years ago. In China and Hong Kong the festival is celebrated with boat races featuring teams of rowers in large canoes decorated with dragons' heads, recreating the attempts to save Ch'u Yuan. (June)

The Mid-Autumn festival falls during the full moon and is surrounded by many legends. Moon cakes, made from flour and filled with lotus seeds and bean paste, are eaten to celebrate this festival. (September)

Chung Yung is another festival dedicated to the remembrance of ancestors.(October)

Buddhism, Confucianism & Taoism

There are three main forms of religion practised in China and the Far East, although Buddhism originated in India. Chinese communities in Britain have tended to combine the three religions as a basis for their way of life.

Buddhism

The religion takes its name from Gautama Siddartha, a Hindu prince born in Northern India near the border with Nepal in about 500 BCE. Dissatisfied with his comfortable life he adopted a very austere lifestyle of self-denial and penance in an attempt to understand the mysteries of life. Eventually he became convinced that the secret of understanding, or enlightenment, lay in a “Middle Way” between the extremes of sensual pleasure and self-denial, a path leading to a state of supreme happiness and peace known as Nirvana. Gautama came to be known as the "Buddha", or "Enlightened One".

Buddhists believe in the Four Holy Truths:

Suffering is universal and a manifestation of evil.The cause of suffering is desire.23Suffering can only be ended by putting an end to desire.This is achieved by adopting the Middle Way between self-indulgenceand self-denial.

The essence of the Middle Way is a view of morality which prohibits the taking of life, lying, theft, sexual misconduct and the use of intoxicating substances. This is supported by meditation aimed at clearing the mind so that it can rise beyond, or transcend, everyday preoccupations (transcendental meditation). Buddhism is sometimes described as a philosophy or a system of thought rather than a religion. Buddhists do not acknowledge the existence of a god or creatorbut neither do they deny it.

Confucianism

Confucius - the westernised version of Kung Fu-Tzu or Kung Fuzi - was born in what is now the Shangtung (Shangdong) province of China in 551 BC. Confucius lived at a time of social conflict in China and his teachings were aimed at restoring order by encouraging people to live responsibly as members ofsociety. His philosophy was recorded many centuries after his death in the Analects.

Confucianism promotes the worship of ancestors and the view that the morals and cultures of past generations must be maintained in the present. It suggests that events are determined by fate. Confucianism, more a moral and social code than a religion, is at the heart of many aspects of Chinese culture.

Taoism

Taoism is based on the teachings of Lao Tzu who lived in the same era as Confucius. His early followers were involved in the search for immortality and their ascetic lifestyles, involving alchemy and natural remedies, gave the religion a mystical reputation.

Taoism promotes the qualities of gentleness and unassertiveness as the means of achieving one's aims and the spirit of Tao has been described as being like water: following the low ground, passive, yielding yet powerful precisely because of its ability to flow around obstacles in its path. There is a Taoist influence in some of the Chinese festivals, including the New Year.

Taoism is also linked to the well-known Chinese concepts of YIN and YANG which are central principles in traditional Chinese medicine. It is believed that the world was formed from the interaction of two forces: one being passive, reserved and cold, known as YIN and the other active, warm and bright, known as YANG. Yin is the female principle and Yang the male principle. The well-being of all things requires these two principles to be in harmony.

24IV. CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY

Background

The history of Christianity is focused on the life, death and resurrection of one person, Jesus Christ.

St Paul began preaching the Christian Gospel after he found himself filled with the Holy Spirit, when he was temporarily blinded in the Damascus Road Conversion.

Paul’s teaching centred on understanding the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ as a central turning point in history. He understood the resurrection to signal the end of the need to live under Jewish law. Paul taught of living in ‘the spirit’ in which the power of God was made to work through human flesh. He insisted that Gentiles had as much access to the faith as Jews and that freedom from the Law set everyone free.

It was this teaching which was essential for the development and success of the early church which would otherwise have remained nothing more than another Jewish sect.

Paul established Christian churches throughout the Roman Empire, including Europe, and beyond – even into Africa. In all cases, however, the church remained small and was persecuted, particularly under tyrannical Roman emperors like Nero, Diocletian and Domitian, under whom being a Christian was an illegal act.Many Christian believers died for their faith and became martyrs for the church. When a Roman soldier, Constantine, won victory over his rival in battle to become the Roman emperor, he attributed his success to the Christian God and immediately proclaimed his conversion to Christianity. Christianity then became the official religion of the Roman Empire. Constantine then needed to establish exactly what the Christian faith was and called the First Council of Nicea in 325CE which formulated and codified the faith.

When Rome fell in 476, it meant that Western and Eastern Christians were no longer under the same political rule and differences in belief and practice arose between them.

The split led to the Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church. The Orthodox Church does not recognise the authority of the Roman papacy and claims a Christian heritage in direct descent from the Christian church of Christ’s believers.

Rites of Passage

Like all faiths, Christianity has a strong set of traditions that mark the believer’s road past life’s milestones. The first obvious divergence from Judaism was making Sunday the holy day instead of Saturday. By doing this the day of Christian worship is the same as the day that Jesus rose from the dead.25Baptism

Christians believe in one baptism into the Christian church, whether this be as an infant or an adult, as an outward sign of an inward commitment to the teachingsof Jesus.

In those Christian communities that practice infant baptism, this is the first rite of life. During this ritual the minister sprinkles water onto the baby’s head and says ‘I baptise you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit’. Since the baby is too young to understand what is happening, vows are made on the child’s behalf by the Godparents.

The baby is also given its Christian names during this ceremony, which is also called christening. In cases where a newborn baby is seriously ill, the parents may wish a chaplain to be called to baptise the child in hospital. When a child dies before baptism, has been stillborn or miscarried, a service of blessing and naming is offered.

Some churches, such as Baptists, think it is wrong to baptise a person until the person is able to come to a full understanding and belief in the Christian faith. These churches only baptise adults in what is called a ‘believer’s baptism’. Such churches usually baptise by totally immersing the person in water, as a symbol of them dying and being born again into the Christian faith.

Confirmation

This service enables those who were baptised as babies to become full adult members of their church. Before a person can be confirmed they have to undergo a period of study and preparation with their church minister. The act of confirmation is performed by a bishop.

Beliefs

Christians believe in one God, whom they call ‘Father’ as Jesus Christ taught them. Christians recognise Jesus as the Son of God who was sent to save mankind from death and sin. Jesus Christ believed and taught that he was the Son of God. His teachings can be summarised, briefly as the love of God and love of one’s neighbour.

Jesus believed that he had come to fulfil God’s law rather than teach it. Christians believe in justification by faith, that through their belief in Jesus as the Son of God, and in his death and resurrection, they can have a right relationship

with God whose forgiveness was made once and for all through the death of Jesus Christ.

Christians believe in the Trinity, that is God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit.Some confuse this and think that Christians believe in three separate Gods. Christians believe in God, who on earth took human form as Jesus Christ and who, through the work of the Holy Spirit, is present today and evident in the works of believers.

They also believe fervently that there is a life after death on earth. While the actual nature of this life is not known, Christians believe that many spiritual experiences in this life help to give them some idea of what ‘eternal life’ will be like.26Saints

These days the word ‘saint’ is most commonly used to refer to a Christian who has lived a particularly good and holy life on earth, and with whom miracles are claimed to have been associated after their death. The formal title of ‘Saint’ is conferred by the Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches through a process called ‘canonisation’.

Members of these churches also believe that saints created in this way can ‘intercede’ with God on behalf of people who are alive today. This is not accepted by most Protestants. In the bible, however, the word ‘saint’ is used as a description of anyone who is a committed believer, particularly by St Paul in the New Testament

The Church

The Christian church is fundamental to believers. It is recognised as God’s body on earth. The church is the place where the Christian faith is nurtured and where the Holy Spirit is manifest on earth. It is where Christians are received into the faith and where they are brought together into one body through the Eucharist. Eucharist is a Greek word for thanksgiving and its celebration is to commemorate the final meal that Jesus took with his disciples before his death.

Christian worship involves praising God in music and speech, readings from scripture, prayers of various sorts, a ‘sermon’, and various holy ceremonies such as the Eucharist. While worship is often thought of only as services in which Christians come together in a group, individual Christians can worship God on their own, and in any place.

Prayer

This is the means by which Christians communicate with God. The New Testament records that Jesus taught his disciples how to pray and that he encouraged them to address God as ‘Father’. Christians believe that they continue this tradition. Sometimes the prayers are formal and part of a ritual laid

down for hundreds of years. Others are personal and spontaneous, and come from personal or group need.

Whilst prayer is often directed to God as Father, as taught by Jesus, some traditions encourage prayer to God through intermediaries such as saints and martyrs.

Death

As death approaches, patients or relatives may ask for a chaplain to talk to and to pray for the patient and relatives. If the patient has died the chaplain can still say prayers and help the family. Many Catholics do not allow cremation as they wish to be whole when Jesus comes to resurrect the dead on his second arrival.

Festivals

The Christian church year is divided up by various festivals and seasons. The Christian Liturgical Year starts with the season of Advent in late November or 27early December. This is four weeks of preparation to celebrate the birth of Christ at Christmas. There then follow two weeks of Christmastide celebrating the coming of Christ, which includes Christmas Day on 25th December. This festival happens on the same date every year, while others move around within a range of dates. In late February or early March the season of Lent begins. This is a period of forty days when the fasting and prayer of Christ in the desert is remembered. Then follows Holy week in which the events of the Last Supper, the suffering, death and burial and the resurrection of Christ are called to mind.

Following on from this there are fifty days of rejoicing in Eastertide, culminating in the Feasts of Ascension and Pentecost (Whitsun) which recall Christ’s ascent to heaven and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The Easter festivities dates change and therefore other festivals dates change in relation to this. However, Easter usually falls around March or April. Good Friday commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and is followed by Easter Sunday when the resurrection of Jesus Christ took place.

28V. THE INDIAN COMMUNITY

Background

India is a huge country, similar in size to Europe and with extremes of climate and lifestyle much greater than those of Europe. Along with what is now Pakistan and Bangladesh, it was part of the British Empire for a hundred years until beinggranted independence on 14 August 1947.

Most of the people who emigrated to Britain directly from India came from the state of Gujarat, with the other main group coming from the state of Punjab.

Others came to Britain from East Africa, the Indian people having had a long history of trading across the Indian Ocean.

Gujarat, on the west coast, is one of the richest parts of India with agricultural wealth and industry, particularly textiles. The state capital, Ahmedabad, has been called the "Manchester of India". Britain has had commercial links with Gujarat since the early seventeenth century, when the British East India Company set up its first trading post at Surat in 1612.

The first Gujaratis to come to Britain were students in the late 1800s, one being Mahatma Gandhi who came as a law student and later led India to independence. The major growth of Gujarati communities in Britain came after the Second World War when their experience in the textile and steel industries was welcomed at a time of labour shortage in Britain. Many Gujaratis share the name 'Patel' which means "landowner" because originally the Patels were farmers in the Kaira district of Gujarat.

Having arrived in Britain they took any job that was available but eventually by hard work and a flair for business began to start up grocery shops, newsagents and similar concerns, many of which have since become very successful.

Most Gujaratis are Hindus, but some are Muslims. Their first language is Gujarati though people from the Kutch region in the north speak a dialect of Gujarati called Kutchi.

Punjab

The Indian Punjab (there is also a Punjab province in Pakistan) in northern India is mainly a farming area where the traditional culture is based on village life. However, it now also has a thriving manufacturing industry producing goods for export.

Punjab is the homeland of the Sikh people, though in India as a whole Sikhs only account for 2% of the population. Even in the Punjab many people are not Sikhs but most British Punjabis are. Sikhs are proud of their reputation as fighters and many served in the British forces in the First and Second World Wars.

The Punjab in Britain is much older than that because of the British rule in India and there have been small Punjabi communities in Britain for a hundred years. As is the case with Gujaratis and other nationalities from the sub-continent, the main growth of Punjabi communities in Britain was in the post war period, particularly the 1950s and early 1960s.

The first language of people from the Punjab is Punjabi, though like Gujaratis they will be more or less familiar with Hindi, the official language of India.

East Africa

Gujarati traders had established links with East Africa at the time of Christ and these expanded over the centuries with the formation of communities up and down the East African coast. In the late nineteenth century Britain had colonized parts of East Africa and imported people from Gujarat and Punjab to build transport systems and work in government administration. The main countries involved were Kenya and Uganda, along with Tanzania, Zambia and Malawi, although most had different names when they were under British rule.

The main settlement of Asian families in East Africa took place between 1890 and 1935 and again between 1945 and 1960. In view of their history as traders and junior administrators many had established successful businesses or professional careers but when Kenya became an independent country in 1963 they were given the option of becoming Kenyan citizens or remaining British.

About a third chose to exercise their right as British citizens to come to Britain. Then in 1972 the Ugandan dictator Idi Amin expelled all Asians with British passports and the British government organised an emergency evacuation to bring them to the UK. Many arrived here with nothing, having had to abandon their homes, businesses and savings, but like the Kenyans have managed to establish themselves as successful businessmen and professionals in this country.

Religion

Religion is a very powerful influence in the lives of members of the Indian communities. Like other Asian peoples, those from India place a strong emphasis on the family, whatever their religion. The sense of family responsibility remains strong, even though in Britain it is often not possible for extended families to live together. Children are automatically expected to respect their parents and look after them when they are old.

Hinduism

Like Islam, Hinduism is more than just a religion and describes a way of life as well as a set of beliefs.

Hinduism has developed in India over five thousand years under the influence of different cultures and civilisations. It has

no single founder or prophetno single holy bookno organised church or hierarchy of spiritual leaders30Hindus believe that there is a Creator or Supreme Spirit which is neither male nor female and is too complex for ordinary mortals to understand and worship, so it is worshipped through different images.

The three main images of the spirit are:

Brahma the CreatorVishnu the PreserverShiva the Destroyer

This can be likened to the Christian Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. These three images symbolise the fact that everything in the universe is either being created, preserved or destroyed. Hindus may worship these images or human ‘manifestations’ of them. Rama and Krishna are manifestations of Vishnu.

Hinduism teaches that each living body is built around an eternal soul (Atman) that comes from the Supreme Spirit. It is the ultimate desire of each soul to return to the Supreme Spirit some day but to do so it must be clean. The purification needed is hard to achieve in one lifetime, so each soul has to be born over and over again, gradually improving itself each lifetime until it is finally clean enough to return to its Creator.

This is the basis of the Hindu belief in reincarnation. The Hindu's path through each life is called Dharma and they believe that a person's situation in this life depends on their actions (Karma) in previous lives. So someone who behaves badly (bad Karma) may be born into the next life as an animal or insect or perhaps a human with some impairment. Everyone is responsible for their condition in life and can improve their next existence by behaving well in this one.

Hindu worship (Puja) is usually individual rather than communal. Many homes have a family shrine with statues or pictures of the gods worshipped by the family. Some people also visit the temple (Mandir) to worship. Certain rules should be observed when entering a temple

Remove shoes before enteringWomen should cover their heads.

Non-Hindus are welcome in the temple provided they show respect but the part of a home reserved for worship should not be entered without an invitation. Hindus pray at least once a day and must purify themselves by showering or washing before prayer.

Hindus have four main holy books (The Vedas) rather than one like Christians and Muslims. They are:

the Bhagavat Gita31the Ramayanathe Upanishadsthe Mahabharata

Although the Bhagavat Gita is the most sacred of the books, like the Bible and the Koran, all these texts should be respected by Hindus and non-Hindus alike.

Indian Community

Hindu society is traditionally divided into hundreds of castes or groups based on social and occupational status. The system goes back thousands of years and is a basic aspect of the Hindu religion. The many different castes are grouped into four main ones:

Brahmins the highest caste, traditionally includes priests and teachers but now includes people in business and governmentKshatriyas - warriors, policemenVaishyas - farmers, craftsmen, tradesmenShudras - manual workers, servants

Each caste forms a separate division in society and people from different castes do not normally mix or do the work of other castes. A Hindu's caste is determined by his Karma or behaviour in a previous life.

There is a fifth class, the Harrijans or untouchables who are outsiders and not allowed to take part in Hindu rites. They traditionally do the dirty jobs such as cleaning lavatories and streets.

In modern India the caste system is not as strong as it was and indeed it is now illegal to discriminate against people because of their caste. In Britain, the system is not strictly followed, especially by younger people, but it is still normally expected that people will marry within their own caste. In many ways the caste system is another manifestation of the extended family concept which is so important in the lives of all the people from the Indian sub-continent.

Hindu Names

There are up to four parts to Hindu names

First Name Lalita (female) Used by family and friends.Naresh (male) Male and female differentComplementary Name Devi (female) Used only with the firstLal (male) name as a polite form ofaddress never on its own.32Father’s Personal Jayendra Differentiates between largeName Mohan numbers of people with the same name.Family (Or Caste) Sharma Used as a surname.Name Patel Taken by women on marriage and by children.

So, we might have Lalita Devi Patel (the first two names are often written together as Lalitadevi) and Nareshlel Sharma.

Common Hindu complementary names are:

Male: Kumar, Lal, Nath, Dev, Kant, Das, ChandFemale: Gowri, Devi, Kalmari, Lakshmi, Rami

Many British Hindus come from the same area and from the same caste and as a result certain family names e.g. Patel, are very common. To help distinguish between people with common first names and family names (a little like John Smith or Susan Jones) many Hindus are given their father’s personal names as a middle name. In some cases this is extended to include their grandfather's name and even their great grandfather's name. This system applies to men and unmarried women. On marriage a Hindu wife will use her first name followed by her husband's personal name and his family name and children of the marriage will follow the same pattern.

Greetings

The Hindu greeting is ‘Namaste' (pronounced Namastay with the accent on the second syllable). This is normally said, on meeting or leaving with the hands held together in front of the chin as if in prayer. Namaste means: “I greet you respectfully”.

Dress

In general, Hindus tend to be more liberal in their attitudes towards western dress than Muslims. Women usually wear the sari and men tend to wear the usual western clothes. Hindu women may put on glass bangles when they get married and it is considered to be bad luck to remove or break them.

Some Hindus wear a thread around their bodies and this should not be removed. Men of one Hindu sect, Swami Narayan, may wear a bead necklace. Hindu, and some Sikh married women may wear a coloured spot on the forehead. Both men and women of the Swami Narayan sect may wear a red spot.

Removal of these spots without permission can cause great distress.33Funeral Rites

Hindus, like all religious groups, have procedures and rites which must he carried out when someone dies. An already distressing experience may he compounded by a lack of knowledge of the formalities required in Britain e.g. dealing with undertakers, the authorities and so on and practical help and advice, sensitive to their own customs is usually very necessary.

If possible, it is useful to ask the family about the procedures they wish to follow, or get advice from the local temple, but where this is not practicable, perhaps in dealing with cases of sudden death, the following should be observed:

Do not remove jewellery, sacred threads and other religious objects Cover the body with a plain sheet without any religious markingsAvoid washing the body since this is part of the funeral rites carried outby relatives.

Post mortem examinations are not prohibited by Hindu belief but the idea may be distasteful to many Hindus. All adult Hindus must be cremated, not buried but infants and young children may be buried and it is usual for this to be done as soon as possible, preferably the same day. Traditionally, the eldest son has the responsibility for making funeral arrangements.

Diet

Hindus regard the cow as a sacred animal and therefore they do not slaughter cows or eat their meat. Other meats are permitted but many Hindus are vegetarian particularly those from Gujarat, and for them eggs, being a source oflife are also prohibited.

Alcohol is not permitted and most devout Hindus do not smoke.

Fasts

Many Hindus fast on a regular basis, particularly female Hindus. Unlike most other religions, where fasting is associated with religious festivals, individual Hindus decide for themselves when, how often and to what extent they will fast.

For example someone may decide not to eat at all on one day each week whereas another may decide to eat only fruit on a certain day. In this way fasting is very much an individual and personal belief.

Festivals

The two most important festivals are Holi and Diwali which are marked in India with holidays and family celebrations like Christmas in Britain.

Holi is the Spring Festival and is usually celebrated in March with bonfires and dancing. It is now often associated with Krishna.

Diwali is celebrated in October/November and marks the beginning of the year ie New Year on the Hindu calendar. Every home is decorated with candles and lamps to mark Rama's return from exile.34Other major festivals are:

Mahashivratri Birthday of Shiva (March)Ram Naumi Birthday of Rama (April)Raksha Bandhan Celebration of the bond between brothers andsisters (Spring)Jan Mash Tami Birthday of Krishna (August)Navratri Festival of the Goddess Ambaji (October)Lakshmi Pujan Celebrated by business people honour of LakshmI,Goddess of prosperity and wealth (Autumn)Dussehra Celebrates Rama (October)Bestuvarash/Nutanvarsh New Years' Day (day after Diwali) Hindu festivals from such a vast country are so numerous that it is virtually possible to celebrate a festival each day of the year.

35VI. THE JEWISH COMMUNITY

Background

Most of Britain's minority communities came to this country from their homelands, for example India and Somalia. Until 1948, the homeland of the Jewish people, Israel, existed only as a dream, the ultimate realisation of which has sustained Jewish communities worldwide through centuries of persecution and very few Jews from modern day Israel have settled in Britain.

Jewish people have a strong sense of community and cultural inheritance but people within communities differ in their adherence to customs and religious observance. It seems particularly important to make this point in connection with the Jewish community with its very rich diversity.

Some of Britain's Jews may be deeply religious, for others religion may play little part in their lives. They may come from Poland, Russia, Germany or virtually any other part of the world. They may dress distinctively or may be indistinguishable from any other British citizen. What they have in common is the fact of being Jewish, which has more to do with a 5000 year heritage, than belonging to a nation, race or religion.

The history of the Jewish people spans almost 5000 years. The modern state of Israel, spiritual homeland of the Jews, was formed as recently as 1948 but their origins in the Middle East can be traced back nearly 3000 years before Christ to the Patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. This early history of the Israelites as they were then known, is recorded in the Old Testament, referred to by Jews as the Hebrew Bible.

Many landmarks in early Jewish history are familiar to Christians, as are the people who featured in them, for example:

Moses leading the Israelites out of Egypt (the EXODUS) after 400 years in captivity (1400 BCE).The Revelation at Mount Sinai when Moses received the Ten Commandments.Joshua, Moses' successor, under whom the Israelites conquered Canaan which they renamed Israel.

Saul, David and Solomon, the Kings of Israel.

After Solomon the Kingdom was divided into Israel and, in the south, Judea with its capital Jerusalem. The Kingdom of Judea survived for a thousand years but during this time it was frequently conquered by invaders including the Romans who were the ruling powers at the time of Christ. Many of the invaders tried to suppress the Jewish faith and culture but resistance was strong. There were

1ifrequent revolts by the Jews but in 70CE, after a prolonged siege, the Roman General Titus took Jerusalem and destroyed the temple.36Many Jews were sold into slavery or exiled and their descendants became the basis for Jewish communities throughout the world. This dispersion is known as the Diaspora. Wherever they went the Jews took their religion with them but they were often persecuted. Particular episodes have been very traumatic for the Jewish community, notably the Crusades and later the Spanish Inquisition in the fifteenth century.

Towards the end of the nineteenth century, government led persecution of Jews in Eastern Europe, particularly Russia (the Pogroms) triggered a massive wave of emigration to the United States in particular, though many got no further than Britain which was their departure point for the long sea voyage across the Atlantic. From 1933, the rise of the Nazis in Germany resulted in one of the most appalling episodes in the long history of Jewish persecution and the death of sixmillion Jews in the Holocaust.

Throughout the centuries of exile, Jews around the world looked on the land of Israel (or Zion) as a symbol of their nationhood and faith. However, from Roman times right up to the First World War the country (renamed Palestine by the Romans in an attempt to wipe out the Jewish connection) was occupied by many different nations and Jews were in the minority. For four hundred years up to 1917 the country was ruled by Ottoman Turks and, although the Jewish community thrived under them at first, by the start of the 19th century Palestine had become a wasteland and the community was largely dependent on donations from the Diaspora.

Although attempts to regenerate the country were made in the second half of the century, by 1900 only 10% of people living in Palestine were Jews. With the outbreak of hostility in 1914 Britain declared war on the Ottoman Empire and, in 1917 General Allenby entered Jerusalem ending 400 years of Turkish rule. In the same year Britain declared support for the establishment of a ‘Jewish national home in Palestine’ (The Balfour Declaration).

After the war the League of Nations gave Britain the mandate to govern Palestine and for the next 30 years there were successive attempts to reach a settlement that would allow Palestinians (Arabs) and Jews to have separate states within the former Palestine.

Eventually, in 1947, the United Nations proposed a partition plan which was accepted by the Jews and rejected by the Arabs. In the following year the British mandate ended and the Jews proclaimed the state of Israel on 14th May, 1948.

At long last the Jews had their homeland but most Palestinians fled and have been without a home to this day. This has remained a source of conflict in the Middle East and there have been numerous attempts by the Arab states to reclaim Palestine either by outright war, the Sinai Campaign (1956), Six-Day War

(1967), Yom Kippur War (1973), through terrorist activity or to arrive at a solution through diplomacy. Despite this, the modern state of Israel, spiritual homeland of Jewish communities throughout the world, has continued.37Language

Members of Britain's Jewish communities speak English, so there should be no communication problem. However, because of their strong sense of history Jews use many words and phrases from Hebrew, the language of the Bible and of modern Israel. The names for festivals, food and religious symbols mentioned in this section are given with their Hebrew versions but you may come across them with slightly different spellings.

This is because there are two versions of Hebrew:

Ashkenazi - the western styleSefardi - the eastern style which is the official version in Israel.

For centuries, Jews in Eastern Europe had their own language - YIDDISH – which has much similarity with German. It is little used today although it is still the language of the Chassidic community. Some Yiddish words survive in modern usage, however, and Jews will often use, the Yiddish ‘Shul’ (pronounced shool) instead of ‘synagogue’.

Some Useful Words and PhrasesShalom, meaning 'peace' and used as a greeting or on saying goodbye.Shalom Aleichem, literally 'peace to you' used as a welcome (note the similarity to the Islamic greeting)Mazeltov, congratulations, good luck

Religion – Judaism

Judaism, like Islam and Hinduism, is more than a religion and forms the basis for the way of life of the 15 million or so Jews throughout the world. There are different groups within the Jewish faith, all believing in the basic principle of Judaism but differing in the strictness of their observance. The main distinction is between Orthodox and Non-Orthodox Jews.

Orthodox Jews are in the majority in Britain and in most other countries except the USA. They believe that the old traditions of Judaism must be kept alive and that the word of God as written in the Torah must be obeyed. Most orthodox Jews wear the skull cap (Yarmulka) at all times but there is a sect (Chassidic) who also wear the clothes that their ancestors wore in the ghettoes of Eastern Europe in the seventeenth century.

Non-Orthodox Jews are a group which believe in modernising Judaism. They believe that the Torah is a human document and that not all of it is relevant today.

38Women are allowed to play a more central role in worship than is the case with orthodox Jews, so that, for example, women Rabbis are allowed.

The Synagogue

The word ‘synagogue’ comes from the Greek and means ‘meeting place’. Traditionally, it was a community centre as well as a place of worship. Synagogues are built so that they face in the direction of Jerusalem and usually share certain common features :

Holy Ark (Aron Hakodesh) is a cupboard, usually in the eastern wall, which contains the Sefer Torah.Sefer Torah is the first five books of the Old testament kept in the form of a scrollParochet is an ornate curtain usually used to cover the ArkBinah is a reading desk on a raised platform in the centre of the synagogue from which readings from the Torah are madeA replica of the Tablets of Stone on which the Ten Commandments were written is usually above the doors of the Ark or on the Parochet.

God

Jews believe in one God (a principle later adopted by Islam and Christianity).

The very first verse of Jewish scripture - and the Bible - states that ”in the Beginning, God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis, Chapter 1, Verse 1). Jews believe that God is all-powerful, but remote from the world. He is everywhere (‘shekinah’) and every morning and evening Jews recite a prayer (shema) declaring that there is only one God.

Abraham's family was chosen by God who made an agreement (or Covenant) with the family's descendants:

The nation of Israel must remember God at all times, serve Him and keep all of His laws. God will remain faithful to the nation of Israel, will continue to be that nation's God, and will treat its members as his own special people.

So the Jewish people (descendants of Abraham, the nation of Israel) believe that they are God's chosen people. This is not an arrogant belief, conferring on them special rights or privileges but means that they bear a particular responsibility to uphold God's laws.39The Commandments (Mitzvot) are the basic rules for human behaviour revealed by God to Moses on Mount Sinai. There are said to be 613 commandments in total (248 saying what must be done and 365 what must not).

The Ten Commandments are part of the Mitzvot.

Jews believe that the coming of the Messiah, at the end of time, will signal the start of an ideal period of peace and prosperity on earth when Jews scattered throughout the world will return to the Promised Land.

Messiah is a Hebrew word meaning ‘the Anointed One’ which refers to the practice during the coronation of Jewish kings where holy oil was sprinkled on the king's head by the High Priest.

The Messiah is expected to be a descendant of King David. Christians refer to Jesus Christ as the Messiah and anticipate a ‘Second Coming’ whereas Jews do not accept that the Jewish Messiah has yet appeared.

The Rabbi

Judaism does not recognise the need for a messenger between man and God and there is no priesthood. The Rabbi (‘master’ or ‘sir’ from the Hebrew) is a title given to the spiritual leader of a Jewish community and the Rabbi fulfils several roles: She/He leads prayers, delivers sermons and readings from the Torah in the synagogue.conducts weddings and funerals. visits the sick and those who, for whatever reason, cannot visit the synagogue. instructs members of the Jewish community in the beliefs and traditions of the Jewish faith, and acts as an ambassador for Judaism in the community at large.

Holy Books

The Torah (‘teaching’) is the first five books of the Old Testament. It describes the creation of the world, the patriarchs and tells of the journey to the Promised Land. The Torah is kept in the form of a scroll (Sefer Torah) in synagogues and is considered to be a very precious and revered symbol. Public readings from the Sefer Torah are made on the Sabbath, at festivals and at certain times during the week.

Prophets (Neviim) contains the sayings of the Prophets who were thought to be the Spokesmen of God. Public readings are given to accompany readings from the Torah.40Writings (Ketuvim) contain the Psalms and are used in the synagogue mainly on festival days. In the early days of the Jewish people, important opinions, judgements and procedures were passed from generation to generation by word of mouth. Later they were collected together and written down in a document called 'Mishnah'. Further material was added, eventually forming the Talmud.

Prayers

Prayers are held three times a day in the synagogue; morning, afternoon and evening. Additional services are held during festivals. The prayers said in the synagogue follow set forms according to ancient tradition but Jews believe that they can pray to God anywhere and at any time.

Rites of Passage

Circumcision

Male babies are circumcised on the eighth day of life, marking entry into the Covenant between God and the Jewish people. This follows an instruction to Abraham recorded in Genesis, Chapter 17. The procedure is performed by the Mohel, a person specially trained in the necessary surgical skills and having a deep understanding of the religious principles involved.

Bar Mitzvah

Meaning literally ‘son of the commandments’, Bar Mitzvah marks a boy's passage from boyhood to manhood on his 13th birthday. The equivalent ceremony for girls is called Bat Mitzvah and takes place at the age of 12. Boys and girls are considered to be responsible for their actions at these ages.

Marriage

Jewish weddings are held under a canopy (Chupah) held up by four poles. The centrepiece of the ceremony is the marriage contract (Ketubah) which is a statement of the groom's pledge of love and support for his wife. The ceremony ends with the symbolic breaking of a glass by the groom.

Marriage is regarded as desirable by the Jewish community and the family as a very important institution. As a consequence, every effort is made to help a marriage that is in difficulties in order to avoid divorce. Nevertheless, Judaism recognises that divorce is sometimes inevitable and the process is relatively simple. It requires a document (Get) to be drawn up by a trained scribe under the jurisdiction of a religious court (Bet Din).41Death

All Jews hope for enough strength to be able to say the last prayer (Shema) before they die. The last rites and funeral arrangements are carried out by the Chevra Kaddisha (holy society) which is a group of members drawn from each synagogue.

Their responsibilities include washing the corpse and preparing it for burial. Jewish law does not permit cremation. It is considered disrespectful to delay a burial which should take place within 24 hours of death other than in exceptional circumstances (due to geographical hot weather conditions in their historical homelands, similar to Muslim faiths).

Men are usually buried in the prayer scrawl (Tallit) in a simple unpolished coffin. It is also considered disrespectful to leave a dead person alone and someone will stay with them until the funeral.

Jewish custom recognises four periods of mourning:-

The time between death and the funeral when the mourner (Onan) is released from all other obligations. The week after the funeral (Shiva) when the mourner (now known as Avel) is expected to stay at home, receiving fellow synagogue members to pray. During this period the mourners sit on a tiled floor or on low chairs.

The first month (including shiva) allows for a gradual return to normal life.

A further period of mourning continues for the next 11 months. Each morning male mourners recite the Kaddish (a prayer praising God).

Life After Death

The Jewish Scriptures make little reference to the afterlife: the Talmud warns against speculation about it on the grounds that ‘no eye has seen it’. Jews believe that God will reward them by allowing them to enter into his presence or punish them by making them go through a cleansing process first. There is no concept of hell as a place of eternal suffering in the Jewish faith.

Jewish Customs

A Mezuzah is a small parchment scroll on which are written two passages from the Bible. Many Jewish houses have a mezuzah, usually inside a protective case, fixed to the right-hand door post and also on the doors of each room except the bathroom and toilet. This custom follows the instruction in the Bible (Deuteronomy 6,9) “...and you shall write upon the doorposts of your houses and upon your gates”. As holy objects mezuzot (the plural of mezuzah) must be taken care of and every three years a mezuzah will be removed and taken to the Rabbi or trained scribe to check that the writing is still legible.

The Sabbath

The Sabbath (Shabbat or Shabbos) is the Jewish day of rest. It begins at sunset on Friday and lasts until Saturday night. Sabbath symbolises the seventh day when God rested after creating the world in the previous six days (Genesis) and it is, for Jews, an occasion for celebration. It starts with a service in the synagogue, which ends when the Rabbi recites the Kiddush, a prayer welcoming the Sabbath. Alternatively, in the home where the family assembles for the Sabbath, the father may recite the Kiddush over a cup of wine. After the Kiddush, the family enjoys a special meal. Two symbolic candles are lit and food always includes two specially prepared plaited loaves (Challot).

Special prayers and readings from the Sefer Torah take place during the Sabbath and during the entire period work is forbidden. In this case, work has a very wide definition to include writing, travelling in a car, cooking, using a

telephone (except in emergencies), even switching a light on or off, carrying money or keys, as doors are kept unlocked for relatives and friends. This is based on the idea that we are all equal and my home is your home. Jews may not buy anything or take part in activities such as fishing or playing football on the Sabbath.

On the Sabbath, GMAS staff should remember that their duty is to the patient and paying attention to detail will help but you may have to explain that under GMAS policy staff should only carry out their normal roles in an emergency situation. In emergencies, most of the local community will understand that they themselves may be allowed to do certain tasks. It is simple things like this which will help to create a sense of understanding between the different cultures. The Jewish communities know some things cannot stop on this or other holy days.

Bet Din

Is a Jewish 'court' made up of three Rabbis and most towns with significant Jewish communities have at least one. They deal with matters referred to them by members of the community, especially business disputes, issues to do with Jewish food laws, divorces etc. where a religious court is preferred to a court of law.

Dietary Laws

According to Jewish dietary law, food is either Kosher (meaning ritually acceptable) or Treif (meaning unacceptable). These distinctions are based upon rules (Kashrut) laid down in the Bible, according to the following principles. Shechita is the method of slaughter carried out by a Kosher butcher so as to ensure the animal instant death. All meat and fowl must be slaughtered in a way which removes as much blood as possible because Jews are not permitted to consume blood. Before cooking, the meat or fowl must be soaked in water and then salted to remove any excess blood. Fish can be eaten without the need for these preliminaries.43Treif (or Treifah) is the term applied to foods which are not kosher for example pork and shellfish or to foods which have not been prepared according to Jewish dietary law.

Kosher foods include

Animals which have split hooves and chew the cud e.g. cows and sheep but NOT pigs and horses.

All fish which have scales and fins e.g. cod, herring, plaice, salmon, trout etc. Shellfish and eels are not kosher.

Fowl which are domesticated e.g. chickens, turkey, geese but not wild birds e.g. owls, eagles, pheasant.

Eggs may be eaten provided they come from kosher birds and they are not contaminated in any way with blood.

All vegetables and fruit are considered to be neutral (PAREV) and therefore kosher unless affected by insects.

Meat and Milk

Preparing, cooking or eating meat and milk or milk products together is forbidden and separate sets of utensils are kept for each. There should also be a time gap (at least three hours) between eating something containing milk and something containing meat. Butter is a milk product and cannot be mixed with meat in a sandwich, for example. Fish, fruit and vegetables are neutral and can be used with meat or milk but not, of course, with both.

Festivals

There are many Jewish festivals and special days, some being major occasions marked by celebrations, others being less important. Jews consider that each day starts at sunset so Saturday (the Sabbath) actually begins at sunset on Friday. Note that in winter this means that the Sabbath and other festivals start in late afternoon.

The Jewish calendar is based on lunar months (as is the case with other communities including Muslim and Chinese), each month having 29 or 30 days - the moon takes 29.5 days to orbit the earth. This means that Jewish festivals fall on different dates each year according to the standard western calendar.

44VII. MUSLIM COMMUNITY (Followers of ISLAM)

Background

Islam is a world-wide religion with Muslims totalling nearly one seventh of the world's population. It is the principal faith in the Arabic countries of the Middle East and there are Muslims in parts of the former Soviet Union, Eastern Europe, Africa, Southern China and Indonesia. In all of these countries, and Britain,

Muslims follow the same basic principles concerning beliefs, behaviour, family life and so on, although there are inevitably differences in how the principles are applied because of the traditions and laws of the different countries. Islam has an “open-door” policy: anyone, of any race, can become a Muslim if they accept the faith.

Islam was founded early in the seventh century by the Prophet Mohammed who was born in Mecca, now in Saudi Arabia. Muslims believe that Mohammed was the last and most important of the prophets who also included Abraham, Moses and Jesus. God (or in Arabic, Allah) gave to the Prophet Mohammed the principles by which mankind should live and ordered him to act as his messenger.

Consider the similarity between this and the Christian belief in Moses receiving the Ten Commandments from God. These principles were later recorded in the Holy Book of Islam, the Koran (also written as Quran). It is considered respectful to follow any reference to the Prophet Mohammed with the words "Peace Be Upon Him" and you may often see this, when written, shortened to PBUH. There are other spellings of the Prophet's name, notably Mohammad and Muhammad.

Greeting

The Muslim greeting is “Assalaam Alaikum” (peace upon you), to which the reply is “Vaalaikum Assalaam” (peace be upon you also). The right hand is used for both shaking hands, greeting, and for passing or receiving things. Mutual hospitality and courtesy are of great importance at all levels, whatever the social standing of the host. When speaking to people from Asian cultures try to maintain a formal approach during the conversation and if speaking to a couple try to maintain conversation with the male member or continue speaking to whoever takes the lead in the discussion.

There are some traditions to be awareof which will help the communication process, such as avoiding eye contact while speaking because it is regarded as a sign of disrespect for elders and those in power.

Religion- Principles of Islam

Often referred to as the "Five Pillars of Islam" these are:

1. Faith (The Kalima)

Muslims are required to confess their faith: “I bear witness that there is no God but Allah and that Mohammed is his Prophet”.452. Worship (Namaz)

Muslims must pray five times a day. Prayers must be said with the head facing Mecca (south east) and the forehead must touch the ground. Hygiene is very important and Muslims must wash before praying. They can pray anywhere providing the place used is clean. A prayer mat is often used. There are specified times for prayer but Muslims in this country may try to fit their worship into convenient times of the day. Friday is the holy day for Muslims when men usually go to the mosque (place of worship) for a special service when they worship as a group.

3. Fasting (Roza)

Muslims must fast from dawn to dusk during Ramadan. It was during Ramadan that the Prophet Mohammed first received his revelation from Allah. Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar which is based on lunar months so each year it starts about two weeks before it started the previous year. The end of Ramadan is marked by one of the main religious festivals, Eidul-Fitr.

4. Charity (Zakat)

Muslims are required to give 2.5% of their income anonymously to the poor each year.

5. Pilgrimage (Haj)

All adult Muslims must make a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in their lives provided that they can afford it and that they ensure that their family is first provided for. It is forbidden to borrow money for the purpose. The pilgrimage (or Haj) is performed during the twelfth month of the Islamic calendar and its end is celebrated by the festival EID-UL-ADHA. Anyone who has made the pilgrimage is entitled to add Hai, Hadji or AI Hadji to his name and gain great respect in hiscommunity.

The Koran

The Holy Book of Islam must be treated with the greatest respect. No other book may be placed upon it and nobody should talk, eat or smoke whilst it is being read. It must not be abused by non-Muslims. Some Muslims may wear jewellery containing verses from the Koran as a form of protection and may be upset if this

is removed

The Mosque

The Mosque is the centre of religious and community life. Few mosques in Britain are specially built, many being converted buildings, but most communities have their own local mosque where religious services and classes are held. Each mosque will have an Imam or spiritual leader who reads the Koran and leads prayers.46Children are taught to read the Koran, which is in Arabic, at the mosque. Women are not usually allowed to enter the Mosque and, when they are, they are segregated from the men. Anyone entering a mosque must remove their shoes and cover their heads as a mark of respect. Again if possible shoes should be taken off in homes. Where it is not possible to remove shoes on entering a home or mosque you should explain politely that it is an emergency situation or put covers over shoes.

Alcohol and tobacco are both strictly forbidden in a mosque, as indeed is anyone who has the smell of alcohol on their breath.

Visitors of any creed are welcome in mosques provided that they respect the above courtesies.

Social Aspects of IslamIslam emphasises the equality of all people and consequently women and men have equal rights. However, their roles and duties are also different and clearly laid out and this may conflict with Western ideas of equality.

Men must protect and respect women and a Muslim woman is always under the guardianship of her father, husband or sons if a widow, particularly in dealings with the world outside the family. A Muslim woman alone at home may be reluctant to answer the door to a male caller as a consequence. Women are the centre of the family and the more traditional Muslim fathers and husbands may be reluctant for their daughters or wives to go out to work. Some professions including medicine and education are more acceptable. Islamic law forbids physical contact between a woman and a man other than her husband which can lead to problems, for example where medical examination is necessary and no female member of staff is available. Most Muslims know when an emergency is an emergency and will conform to your sensitive explanations and instructions.

Muslim women must keep their bodies covered for modesty reasons. Those from Pakistan and Gujarat wear a kaniise or kameez (long-sleeved tunic) over loosefitting trousers (shalwar). A scarf (dupatta, chadar, chuni) may be used as a veil in the company of strangers. Bangladeshi women wear a sari.

Men may also wear the shalwar-kameez, particularly when going to the mosque for prayers but many also wear western clothes.

Diet

Muslims must not eat pork, or anything containing pork. All other meat is acceptable provided that it has been killed in a certain way (halal), similar to the Jewish requirement for meat to be “kosher”. Drinking alcohol is forbidden.47Death

The Islamic faith places a great deal of significance on death and the funeral rites of deceased Muslims. Muslims believe that the soul leaves at the point of death and that the body does not belong to the individual but rather that it belongs to God. They also believe that unless the body is buried within 24 hours of death (ie. the soul leaving) the soul will be unable to progress to Heaven. Islamic law also decrees that a body must not be interfered with once the soul has departed. These laws and beliefs mean that a delay in burial like a post mortem examination can be deeply distressing for a bereaved family. If either are unavoidable the reasons should be carefully and tactfully explained.

Many Muslims do not wish to be cremated, as again this would prevent the soul from reaching Heaven.

48VIII. PAKISTAN COMMUNITY

Background

The country of Pakistan was created in 1947 as West Pakistan when India became independent. Its creation was in recognition of the fact that most of the population of the area was Muslim, whereas the majority of Indians were Hindus.

The dividing line that created the two countries went through Kashmir with Pakistan controlling the area around the town of Mirpur and India controlling the Kashmir Valley. The division of Kashmir was bitterly disputed by Pakistan and India at the time and it has remained a source of conflict. Many people from Mirpur (Mirpuris) lost their homes as a result of the conflict and also in the early sixties when the Pakistani government built a massive hydro-electric dam, the Mangla Dam, in the area.

Mirpur is a hilly farming area in the foothills of the Himalayas with a dry climate and most of Britain's Pakistan community comes originally from this small area. A small number come from the North West Frontier province near the Pakistan - Afghanistan border.

Since the early 1900s, young men from Mirpur have left their homeland to work as seamen and from the 1920s some, when they docked in British ports, decided to stay and earn a living. Other people from what is now Pakistan served in the British forces during the Second World War and then settled in Britain when the war ended. When, after 1947 the people from Mirpur were being made homeless because of the conflict there it was natural for their relatives who had already settled in Britain to offer them a home over here. At the same time, Britain needed workers because of labour shortages after the War and Pakistani people were recruited to help get the country's economy going again.

Inevitably they settled in London and the industrial towns and cities of the North of England where the jobs were and property was cheap. It is a myth that immigrants have ever had easy access to local authority housing and credit facilities to buy were hard to come by. The Pakistan family system is based on a very wide network of relatives, more of a ‘clan’, and so later arrivals tended to settle in the same parts of towns as other family members leading to the concentration of Pakistani communities in fairly small areas.

Language

The majority of Pakistanis speak Punjabi, although those from the Mirpur area will speak the Mirpuri dialect of Punjabi. Pakistanis from the North West frontier province speak Pashto. The official language of Pakistan is Urdu.

Family Structure and Values

In Britain we think of the family as meaning parents and their children (the ‘nuclear family’) with perhaps grandparents, uncles and aunts being included for9special occasions such as weddings.

The Pakistani “family” is a much wider concept involving distant relatives in a grouping which exists to provide support for its members. Its widest form is the idea of the ‘Biraderi’, a kind of clan organisation which is one of the basic foundations of society in much of Pakistan and in India and Bangladesh.

Members of the extended family support each other whenever needed, for example, by lending money or helping out when members are sick and so on. New arrivals in this country could look to the ‘family’ already here to help with accommodation, a job, or setting up in business and it helps to explain the tightly knit nature of Pakistani (and other Asian) communities, perhaps sometimes seen as isolationist. When communities see themselves as being threatened by discrimination and prejudice it is understandable that they should look to their own people to provide security and support.

Although men and women are considered to be equal under Islam it is culturally accepted that the man is the provider and decision-maker whilst the woman is the centre of the family. The importance of family loyalty is instilled in children from an early age and it is a matter of family honour that older or vulnerable members are supported. Divorce is permitted but is frowned upon.

This contrasts sharply with the overall trend in contemporary Britain where extended families are rare and the number of one-parent families is on the increase. This can pose problems for young people from Pakistani families torn between two cultures, one based on family values and the other on individuality.

Religion

Pakistan is one of only two countries - the other is Israel - created for the followers of a particular religion. Islam is at the heart of life and culture for most Pakistanis in this country and some knowledge of its principles is essential to any understanding of the community. Further guidance can be found in section 5.VI of this handbook.

Death

Most mosques have mortuary facilities and so usually, after release, the body is taken to the mosque for ritual washing and prayers. Traditionally Muslims are not buried in coffins, the bodies being wrapped in cloths. In Britain, however, it is more usual for the body to be placed in a flimsy coffin before being returned to the home for viewing followed by immediate burial. Women do not attend the burial service. Men wear white clothing as a sign of mourning and purity. The practice of wearing black armbands as a sign of mourning has become increasingly popular, although this has no foundation in Islamic law and is

perhaps more of a political statement, particularly at those funerals which involve marches or demonstrations.50Pakistani Names

The naming system used by Muslims from Pakistan, India and Bangladesh, is complex and subject to variations. It is difficult, therefore, to give precise guidance about Pakistani names and the situation is further complicated by the fact that younger people are increasingly adapting the traditional naming format to fit in with British convention.

Males and females have different naming systems so members of the same family may have completely different names Women do not adopt the husband's name on marriage.

Male Names

Men usually have two or more names First is a religious title, often Mohammed Then a personal name.

Examples of personal names are:Ahmed, Anwar, Arif, Habib, Hanif, Iqbal, Ismael, Jabar, Jamal, Kasem, Malik, Mia, Nasim, Nasir, Omar, Rafiq, Rashid, Salim, Sharif, Tariq, Yusuf.Ali may be both a personal name, or a religious name. So, we would have, for example,

Mohammed IqbalMohammed Rafiq

A Muslim should never be addressed by his religious name alone since this is disrespectful and likely to cause offence. The personal name can be used alone but the full name e.g. Mohammed Rafiq, is the polite, formal mode of address.

Some men do not have a religious title and use two personal names, for example Abdul Rafiq, Salim Malik. In this case the second name is usually used as a surname.

If in doubt, use the full name as a form of address, or ask which name is to be used as the surname - but do not ask a Muslim for his Christian name! Some men, particularly from urban areas of Pakistan, may have a family name ie one which is shared by other members of the family. Examples are Khan, Chaudrey and Shah.

They may, therefore, have three names - a religious name, a personal name and a family name, e.g. Mohammed Jabar Chaudrey, or two names, e.g. Yusuf Khan if there is no religious name.51

The family name, where there is one, should be used as the formal mode of address.

Most Muslim women traditionally have two names - a personal name, followed by a female title (e.g. Begum, Bibi) which is similar to Mrs or Miss. Examples of female personal names are:

Amina, Aziza, Fatma, Jameela, Nasreen, Parveen, Razia, Shamina, Yasmin.So we would have, for example:

Amina BegumRazia Bibi

A woman would be addressed informally by her personal name or formally by her full name - but never as Mrs Begum or Mrs Bibi. Note the following variations to the traditional system:

Some women may have two personal names and no title, e.g. Nasreen Akhtar Some may have a family name as well, e.g. Nasreen Akhtar Khan.

It is now more common amongst some second and third generation Pakistanis settled in Britain to have a shared family name following a personal name as in the British system and for wives to take the family name on marriage.

Food & Drink

Pakistani cuisine is based on curry or masala (hot & spicy) sauces accompanying chicken, lamb, shrimps and a wide variety of vegetables. The national drink in Pakistan is tea, drunk strong with milk and is often very sweet.

Festivals

Sibi (Balochistan) Festival (February)Mela Chiraghan – Festival of Lamps (March)Joshi or Chilimjusht – Spring Welcoming (May)Utchal – harvest festival (July)Lok Mela – folk festival (October)

52IX. ROMANY TRAVELLERS / GYPSIES

Brief History

The Romany people have lived in England for over 500 years and the Irish Traveller community for about 150 years. It is extremely difficult to calculate exact numbers of how many traditional Travellers there are in the United Kingdom however, it has been estimated that there are between 250,000 and 300,000.

The first authenticated record of their presence in Britain was in 1505 in Scotland and in England in 1514. Laws were passed to expel them from Spain and Switzerland, and by 1650 most Gypsies/ Travellers were slaves. In England, under Queen Elizabeth 1 Gypsies/Travellers were expelled along with all freed black slaves. In York in 1596 magistrates made children watch while their parents were hanged just because they were Gypsies/ Travellers. After 1780, anti Gypsy/Traveller legislation was gradually repealed and the people became a useful source of cheap labour in the fields, blacksmiths and entertainers, surviving on the margins of society.

The mechanisation of rural work and motorisation meant work was again difficult to find. With industrialisation, travel patterns changed as they started to migrate out of the rural areas.

Occupations / Education

In rural society the differences between the majority population and Travellers were not big. Education was not valued because crafts were passed from father to son and mother to daughter. The difference in the level of education increased with industrialisation.

Traditionally Gypsy men worked in tasks associated with horse trading and handling, and working as handymen. The women sold things door to door, hawking or knocking. The whole family took part in earning a living and the occupations required the families to move from one village to another. These traditional occupations laid a good basis for newer occupations like selling cars and starting small businesses instead of horse trading. Traditional travellers both Romany and Irish tend to be reserved towards education since school can be seen as a means to blend travellers into society.

Also it is difficult for children to settle into a school permanently due to their travelling culture.

Family

Togetherness of the family is important. In a balanced family the man and the woman do not compete against one another. The man is the head of the family and the woman is the heart of it - both are important for the well being of the family.53It is typical for all the members of the community to take part in the upbringing of the children. Traveller children tend to have a lot of knowledge of people and human nature from quite an early age and learn to deal with the difficulties they may face.

Custom Of Cleanliness ( Mochadi )

There are very many customs amongst Gypsy people concerning cleanliness. These customs are meaningful in all daily activities from handling the dishes, cutlery and food to washing the laundry. For example, food, dishes and cutlery are never placed anywhere where people may sit, stand or work. Washing one’s hands is very important, prior to handling food or dishes.

The things that can occasionally be placed on the floor, such as handbags and toys, are never put on the table and even very young children know that feet and things on the floor should never be placed on the table.

The life of the Traveller people has changed remarkably over the last 20 years, but the customs of cleanliness remain. If one thinks of Kosher law within the Jewish community, mochadi is similar. For example, if someone is sick in a bowl then it becomes mochadi, and no amount of washing will make it clean enough to place fruit in or to use for washing face and hands.

Death / Funeral

Death is experienced strongly and deeply. Sometimes the family will move to another place so as not to be reminded of the deceased. Close relatives of the deceased will take care of the funeral arrangements, but bigger numbers may arrive to visit the dying or deceased. This group of extended family and friends will meet prior and during the funeral. Personal items maybe placed with the dying or deceased.

Religion

For the most part Travellers have adopted the religion of their country of residence and have accepted a belief in god.

Healthcare

Many Travellers in the past have used the Accident and Emergency department as a way to access health care. Sometimes this has been because the family has been unable to access health care through a local doctor’s surgery. This may be through lack of knowledge of the area, the fact that Travellers do not always

settle long enough to register with a GP, or that some practices have refused families the right to go on their list.

Lack of knowledge means that many health professionals feel afraid or frightened to approach a Traveller patient. Open discussion with the patient is important because it is the best way to avoid confusion. If you notice that the patient is afraid of something try and encourage the patient to talk about their needs and fears. In general male Travellers do not mind whether the health professional is a man or woman, but due to modesty, some female Travellers prefer to be treated by a woman. It is important for health professionals to realise that most Travellers do not feel comfortable on their own and usually there can be one or more escorts during treatment or journeys.

55X. SIKH COMMUNITY

Background

Britain has the largest Sikh community outside India. The Sikh religion is relatively new, its founder Guru Nanak being born in 1649. Guru Nanak was opposed to the caste system and to the rituals surrounding religion and he tried to combine the best features of Hinduism and Islam in the new religion. There were nine Gurus after Nanak (the title ‘Guru’ means religious leader) the last being Guru Gobind Singh who died in 1708. The Gurus are revered as saints by Sikhs, but not worshipped. Their teachings are recorded in the holy book, the Guru Granth Sahib.

Modern Sikhism owes its form to the last Guru, Gobind Singh, who founded the Khalsa, or brotherhood, at a time when Sikhs and Hindus were under threat from the Moghul Emperor, Aurangzeb, a zealous Muslim who had executed the previous Guru for refusing to convert to Islam. The Khalsa was a brotherhood of fighters who would dedicate themselves to the Sikh cause and they were given certain distinctive features to identify them as Sikhs.

There are five of these features, or symbols the Kakke, which baptised, or Khalsa Sikhs, wear to this day.

The 5 K’s are :

Kesh or Keshas- long hair, to symbolise holinessKancha- the comb, to symbolise purityKara- the steel bracelet, worn on the right wrist to protect the swordarm, symbolises eternityKirpan- a small sword symbolising readiness to fight oppression.Kacha or Kacchera- shorts worn as an undergarment, to symbolisemodesty.

The long hair is kept up in a knot at the top of the head and is covered by a turban which has also become a religious symbol.

Religion- Worship

Sikh temples are known as ‘Gurdwaras’ and the most famous Gurdwara (also known as the Golden Temple) is at Amritsar.

The Golden Temple witnessed violent scenes in 1984 when the Indian army stormed it and killed a Sikh religious leader, Sant Jaonail Singh Bhindranwale and many of his followers. For several years, Sikhs in the Punjab had been demanding greater recognition for their religion from the government. Some Sikhs want a separate state called Khalistan based on the Punjab. The Sant, as

their leader had made the Golden Temple his headquarters and the army's action followed months of tension during which the Sant and his followers were accused of threatening to overthrow the government.

Sikh anger at the invasion of the Temple was fuelled by the fact that the army was led by a Sikh officer.

The Gurdwara is the centre of Sikh social life as well as being the spiritual centre. Every Gurdwara has a kitchen (Langar) and communal dining area and it is customary to serve food to all who enter regardless of race, social status or religion. This symbolises the equality that is the basis of Sikhism where there is no discrimination based on caste.

As with all places of worship it is necessary to show respect when entering a Gurdwara. Shoes are removed and everyone should cover their heads. Some households would like visitors to show the same respect where possible.

Diet

Sikhism is not like some Eastern religions which expect their followers to practice self-denial. Guru Nanak is reputed to have said "Salvation is not incompatible with laughing, eating, playing and dressing well". However, Sikhs do not eat beef and animals slaughtered in the halal or kosher manner are not acceptable. This is thought to be a way of asserting their independence from Muslims. Alcohol and tobacco are also prohibited but nevertheless some Sikhs do drink.

Sikh Names

The Sikh naming system is similar to the Hindu with a personal name, a complementary name, and a caste or family name.

All baptised, or Khalsa Sikh males have the complementary name Singh, meaning lion.

All baptised, or Khalsa Sikh females have the complementary name Kaur, meaning princess.

Some Sikhs have dropped the caste name because of the Sikh objection to the caste system, but this is not always the case with British Sikhs.

Males and females often use the same first names. Examples of Sikh names would be:

Jaswant Singh GillIndarjit Kaur Gill

The polite form of address uses the first two names together but in Britain it is usually acceptable for the final name to be used as a surname (Mr Gill, Mrs Gill)

though some families, particularly from East Africa may use Singh as the family name.57Greeting

The Sikh greeting is ‘sat srii akaall’ (the truth or God is eternal). It is used on both meeting and parting.

Social Issues

The Sikh Gurus taught the importance of marriage and family life. As with most communities with their roots in Asia, arranged marriages are still widely favoured though increasingly young people expect their wishes to be taken into account.

The turban has been a source of conflict in the past when Sikhs secured exemption from the Act requiring motorcyclists to wear crash helmets. A similar situation arises with the Kirpan (sword) which is considered to be exempt from the prohibitions on the carrying of offensive weapons.

Death

Considerations similar to those for Hindus apply. Sikh dead are usually cremated rather than buried and the ceremony should take place as soon as practicable. There is no religious objection to post mortem examination. Sensitivity and respect for the particular wishes of the deceased's relatives should be shown as far as possible.

Festivals

All festivals except Baisakhi are based on the lunar calendar and have different dates each year. The Main festivals are:

Birth of Guru Gobind Singh (January/February)Celebrated with readings from the Guru Granth Sahib and food in theGurdwaraHola Mohalla (February/March)Celebration of Sikh military power, established by Guru Gobind SinghBaisakhi (14 April)Celebrates the formation of the Sikh brotherhood (Khalsa) in 1699. Thisis seen as the first day of the Sikh year. Verses from the Holy Book arerecitedMartyrdom of Guru Arjan (May/June)Remembering the death in 1606 of the Guru who compiled the HolyBookDiwali (October)Celebrated with lights in the Gurdwara and fireworks. Also a HindufestivalBirth of Guru Nanak (October/November)

Celebrated by a complete reading of the Holy Book, hymns, poetry andstories in the Gurdwara,Martyrdom of Tegh Bahadur (December/January)Celebrated with hymns and readings in the Gurdwara

58XI. SOMALI COMMUNITY

Background

Somalia is a country on the east coast of Africa between Ethiopia and Kenya. It is a hot, dry country with a narrow coastal plain rising to mountains over 6000 feet high in the north. Before the break up of the country due to civil war in 1991 the population was about seven million, mainly concentrated in the coastal towns including the capital, Mogadishu.

The Somali people have a history which dates back thousands of years. More than three thousand years ago, Mogadishu was known to Egyptian traders. Muslim traders from Saudi Arabia reached Somalia in the seventh century and the country became one of the major centres of Islam. Most modern day Somalis are Sunni Muslims. The official language of the country is Somali, which had no written form until 1972. Word of mouth communication is still preferred over paper. Arabic, English and Italian (the legacy of Italian colonisation) are also used by educated Somalis and Swahili is used in parts of the south.

At the height of the British Empire in the last century, Britain controlled northern Somalia but during the Second World War Italy occupied the country until they were defeated by the British in 1941-2. The powers argued over the future of their former colonies until, in 1949, the United Nations granted the Italians trusteeship of their part of the country for ten years. When preparations for independence for the Italian territory were being made in 1959, Britain came under pressure to grant independence to their territory and the two became independent in July 1960 and united to form the Somali Democratic Republic.

A series of multi-party governments followed but after increasing levels of corruption and inefficiency, the army under Major General Mohammed Siyad Barre took power. The country became a socialist one party state with Barre as president and turned to the Soviet Union for support. There has been tension for many years between Somalia and Ethiopia caused by the fact that there is no agreed border between them and the Ogaden region in Ethiopia is disputed. Somalia took in many refugees from Ethiopia at the time of the Ethiopian famine in 1974 and 1985 and the extra burden of feeding hundreds of thousands of refugees has put a serious strain on Somalia's fragile economy. Eventually, in 1990 the tensions led to Barre’s government being defeated by rebel forces and the northern part of the country which had been British Somaliland broke away from the rest. The resulting civil war is still continuing, many people have been killed and others have fled as refugees to countries including Britain.

Somalis in Britain

Britain's Somalis originally came mainly from the northern part of the country which was British Somalia. As a result of the British connection some served in 9

the Royal Navy and settled in Britain after the First World War, working to support their families back home in Somalia. However, the major influx has been in recent years with people fleeing from the civil war. When they arrived in Britain they tended to settle in areas where other Somalis were already living or where there were established Muslim communities.

It should be remembered that Somalia is a country of different clans and the current civil war is, to a certain extent, caused by the power struggle between them. Since the Somali communities in Britain are relatively recent, information about their precise origins and allegiance to particular clans is only sketchy and it is reasonable to assume that different clans are represented here. In this case, tension between different groups is to be expected.

The situation in Somalia is changing daily and anyone coming into contact with the Somali communities in Britain should be aware of the anxiety and uncertainty which they must share with their friends and relatives in the home country.

Somali Names

The section on Islam includes information on the naming system used by Muslims. When reading this you should note that, unlike other Muslims, Somalis commonly have family names, reflecting clan or tribal origins. Normally the family name is preceded by two personal names.

Cultural Practices

Dietary restrictions and other practices influenced by religion, e.g. funeral rites, are the same as those observed by other Islamic groups. Traditional dress for women is the Juba, a long loose dress which, together with a headdress, ensures that the whole body except for hands and face is covered. Men may also wear the Juba but trousers are more commonly worn in this country.It is not necessary to remove shoes when entering a Somali home but male visitors will not be invited into the home if no male family member is present. Females may enter.

In some families, the female family member may not answer questions in the absence of the husband or head of the family, but in an emergency most will be accommodating. If there are still difficulties, when the male family members cannot be found a member of the community may be helpful. However there will be very westernised 2nd/3rd Generation Somalis who do have mixed traditions and are comfortable in many settings.

606. REFUGEES AND ASYLUM SEEKERS –

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

There are many misconceptions about asylum seekers in the UK. It is not always easy to get accurate answers about asylum. It is a hotly debated and often emotive issue, one which is not always truthfully represented by the press and is susceptible to political spin.

Since the beginning of human history, there have been wars, famines and persecution that have displaced individuals and people all over the world. If we look at modern UK history over the last 150 years, this country has welcomed French Protestants; Irish immigrants; WW2 displaced people; Asian Ugandans; Somalians; Kosovans and most recently, different people from other traumatic situations.

This section will give some useful information about refugees and asylum seekers. It does not seek to cover every culture, country or world event that has created refugees.

Who is a refugee?

Under international law, the word 'refugee' has a very precise meaning, as set out in the 1951 United Nation Convention Relating to Refugees. In the Convention, a refugee is defined as someone who:

has a well-founded fear of persecution for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group, or political opinion;

is outside the country they belong to or normally reside in, and

is unable or unwilling to return home for fear of persecution.

The Convention was drafted in the context of the millions of refugees in post-war Europe, and only applied to European nationals. In 1967, a UN protocol extended the convention to cover any person, anywhere in the world, at any time.

The UK, along with over 130 other countries, is a signatory to the Convention and its protocol.

Some refugees have fled from countries where they may have been persecutedsimply for being a member of a religious or ethnic group. Some have taken a deliberate stand against an oppressive government; others may have already been in the UK as visitors or students when political changes in their home country have made it extremely dangerous for them to return.

Who is an ‘asylum seeker’ ?

Anyone who is waiting for their application to be considered by the relevant Government, is known as an 'asylum seeker'.

Where do Britain's asylum seekers come from?

Asylum seekers come to the UK from the world's trouble spots. The numbers of asylum seekers arriving in the UK inevitably reflects the international situation at1 any one time. In 2001, the highest number of asylum applications came from nationals of Afghanistan (13% of applications), Iraq (9%), Somalia (9%), Sri Lanka (8%) and Iran (5%).

Why does the UK support asylum seekers and refugees?

Like all other signatories of the 1951 Convention, the UK has an obligation under international law to protect people fleeing persecution. The UK has also committed itself to the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948), which includes the right to seek and enjoy asylum in other countries.

As a signatory to the Convention, the UK is responsible for guaranteeing that those with refugee status enjoy equal rights to UK citizens. The Home Office received 61,050 applications for asylum in 2003. This compares with over 900,000 asylum seekers and over 12 million refugees worldwide*. In fact, most people seek asylum in neighbouring countries. Guinea, which has a population of under 7 million, supports over 420,000 refugees from Sierra Leone and Liberia - a ratio 50 times that of the UK. Some of the poorest countries in the world support the largest numbers of refugees.

According to a European Commission-funded study, Asylum Migration to the European Union: Patterns of Origin and Destination (1997), most asylum seekers do not choose their country of asylum. Where they end up depends mostly on how quickly they fled and by what means. Of those who are able to choose, important factors are those such as existing communities, colonial bonds and knowledge of language. Only a small group are influenced by economic factors, and most have little previous knowledge of regulations about work or welfare support in the UK.

Do many consider the UK as the easy option compared with the rest ofEurope?

According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees 2001, the UK ranks only 8th out of fifteen European Union countries in terms of asylum applicants per 1000 inhabitants.

In fact, asylum seekers find it increasingly difficult to reach the UK's shores. The UK government imposes visa restrictions on countries which produce large

numbers of asylum seekers. Transport companies are now also fined for bringing people into the UK without the correct documents.

Life in the UK has become increasingly harsh for asylum seekers. The Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 removed asylum seekers from the welfare benefits system. The act set up a support system where the new Home Office National Asylum Support Service (NASS) is responsible for the welfare of asylum seekers. Asylum seekers over 25 years old are now entitled to about £37 a week cash (pre-2002, people were issued with vouchers that could only be used in certain shops). This is worth 70% of basic income support and is only available if they can prove they have no other means of support.62Why don't asylum seekers stay in France or other European countries?

Many asylum seekers do seek asylum in other European countries. If we compare the European Union countries, the UK ranks 10th in terms of applicants per 1000 inhabitants, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, 2003

The fact that someone has travelled to the UK through another European country does not mean their asylum claim is less credible. Unfortunately, some democratic European countries may not be as safe for asylum seekers as we think.

Different countries have different interpretations of the United Nations Convention Relating to Refugees, which means that one may offer protection where another refuses an application. France, for example, may not necessarily grant refugee status to Algerian asylum seekers, escaping violence from militant groups, as France does not offer protection to those fleeing persecution from any group acting independently of the government.

Are all asylum seekers 'bogus'?

In 2002, 42% of asylum seekers were found to be in need of protection by the Home Office and were granted refugee status or exceptional leave to remain.

Why do asylum seekers use smugglers?

Current laws in the UK make it extremely difficult for individuals to legally access the asylum system. For example:_ visa restrictions have been imposed on many refugee-producing countries even though it is difficult for people fleeing persecution to obtain necessary documentation. Simply applying for a passport in their home country may put their lives at risk, let alone visiting a foreign embassy to apply for a visa.

_ EU governments have introduced strict controls at ports and airports, as well as fines on all of those found bringing asylum seekers into the UK without the correct documents.

The fact that someone has arrived here illegally does not undermine the credibility of their claim - the reverse is often true. Desperate people fleeing persecution may need to resort to such measures in order to seek asylum, as restrictive immigration controls bar them from entering legally. In doing so, they put themselves at serious risk of extortion, exploitation and physical harm.

Do they have wide ranging health needs?

Some common themes occur amongst many refugees:

_ Pre-flight experience - This may include oppression, persecution, harassment, conflict, combat, torture, rape, fear, famine, death of family and friends etc63_ Flight – This may involve escape, debts to traffickers, hazardous conditions, deprivation, separation and loss

_ Exile – the most common problems are anxiety, fear of deportation, poverty, homelessness, culture shock, communication difficulties, racism, isolation due to national dispersal as communities are not always kept together, boredom, homesickness, separation, status, guilt of leaving loved ones behind or being a survivor from a dreadful event, powerlessness and inability to settle.

Any of the above issues could affect any individual and cause a range of physicaland mental health problems. The problem for many asylum seekers and refugees is that they are unaware of entitlements. In addition, health professionals may be unclear about what they should do. Further advice is available from specialist workers in many voluntary and community groups or from PCTs and Acute Trusts dealing with these issues.

Some Famous Refugees and Descendants of Refugees.

Jesus Christ, Dalai Lama, Karl Marx, Joseph Conrad, Albert Einstein, Victor Hugo, Michael Marks(Marks &Spencer), Carl Djerassi (Inventor of the ‘pill’), Sigmund Freud, Michael Portillo ex-MP, Diane Abbott MP, Margaret Hodge MP Education Minister; Gloria Estefan, Federic Chopin, Christopher Wreh, Mario Stanic, Jelena Dokic, Jerry Springer, Ben Elton, Rachel Weisz, Marlene Dietrich, Donald WoodBut don’t forget they can also be people like you and me. Ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances!

* All figures from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, 2001 (UNHCR)

647. FURTHER INFORMATION

The following gives just a small selection of local and national contacts. Please remember that many of these are voluntary organisations and may have limited resources available to respond to queries.

Buddhist

The Buddhist community can be contacted through Buddhist organisations -viharasThe Buddhist Society, 58 Eccleston Square, London SW1V 1PHTel: 0207 834 5858Manchester Buddhist Centre, 16-20 Turner Street, Northern Quarter, ManchesterM4 1DZ Tel: 0161 834 9232

Chinese

Contact can be made through any local, regional or national Chineseorganisation. Shrines are not common and therefore cultural organisations aremore common.Chinese Health Information Centre6-8 Houldworth Street, Manchester, M1 1EJ 0161 228 0138Wai Yin Society1st Floor, Fraser House, 36, Charlotte Street, Manchester, 0161 239 5908

Christian

At regional level, most contact would be best initiated through: Areas (BaptistUnion and Congregational Federation); Associations (Unitarian and FreeChurches); Dioceses (Anglican and Roman Catholic); Districts (Methodists,Moravians and New Testament Church of God); Divisions (Salvation Army);Provinces (United Reform); and Regions (Assemblies of God).Other important points of contact are local Churches Together groups where localchurches co-operate in Local Ecumenical Partnerships.Christian Education Movement, 1020, Bristol Road, Selly Oak, BirminghamB29 6LB Tel: 0121 472 4242For local church information you would be best advised to use the telephonedirectory.65Hindus

There is a wide range of Hindu organisations in Greater Manchester. They aregood in networking and are therefore concerned with social welfare activities oftheir community. Mandirs, the Hindu temples, are usually managed by lay people.

A Hindu priest or Pandit is usually concerned with the religious ceremonies andservices. Therefore, the mandir secretary would be a much better contact forpartnerships.The National Council of Hindu Temples (UK), 39 Grafton Terrace, London NW5Tel: 020 7485 8200Gita Bhawan Hindu Temple, 231 Withington Road, Whalley Range, M16 8LUTel: 0161-861-0606

Jewish

About two-thirds of Jewish people in the UK are affiliated to a synagogue, withabout 80% belonging to Orthodox synagogues and 20% to Reform and Liberalsynagogues. Many synagogues have a committee structure and CommitteeSecretaries or Executive Directors should be approached as the first point ofcontact.Board of Deputies of British Jews, 6 Bloomsbury Square, London WC1A 2LPTel: 020 7543 5400Manchester Jewish Federation, 12 Holland Road, Higher Crumpsall, M8 4NPTel 0161 795 0024

Muslim

A variety of Muslim organisations may be found amongst Muslim communities inthe UK. They include mosques, welfare and relief organisations, schools, trusts,educational and economic bodies. There are large national networks as well asregional and local organisations. The mosque secretary or president is the bestperson to contact.Muslim Information Centre, 233 Seven Sisters Road, London N4 2DATel: 0207 272 5170UK Islamic Mission, 425, Cheetham Hill Road, Manchester, M8 0PFTel: 0161 205 6662

Rastafarian

There are a range of Rastafarian organisations and groups in the UK and theRastafarian Society can provide details and information:Rastafarian Society, 290-296 Tottenham High Road, London N15 4AJTel: 020 8808 218566Zion Health Centre, Stretford Road, Hulme, Manchester M15 4ZYTel:0161 226 5412

Refugees and Asylum Seekers

For general guidelines and information, there are two charities that deal directlywith refugees and asylum seekers. For more detailed health information use theDoH website. A free resource pack on meeting health needs of refugees andasylum seekers is available and contains practical information, details of useful

contacts and resources and includes examples of good practice from around theUnited Kingdom.Refugee Council, 3 Bondway, Vauxhall, London SW8 1SJT 020 7820 3000Refugee Action 4th Floor, Dale House, 35 Dale Street, Manchester M1 2HFTel: 0161 233 1200

Sikh

Apart from Gurdwaras, there are a whole range of Sikh organisations serving thediverse needs of the community. These include social, cultural, educational,professional and missionary societies, groups and organisations.Sikh Missionary Society,10 Featherstone Road, Southall, Middx UB2 5AATel: 0208 574 1902Sikh Community Welfare Centre, Monton Street, Moss Side, M14 4LSTel: 0161-227-8801

Romany Travellers and Gypsies.

Gypsies Council for Education, Culture, Welfare and Civil RightsEuropean &UK Office, Aveley Clinic, 8 Hall Road, Aveley, Essex, RM 15 4HDTel: 01708 868986National Gypsy CouncilGreenacres Caravan Park, Hapsford, Helsby, Warrington WA6 0JSTel: 01937 842782Gypsy & Traveller Evalangical MovementTel: 01922 478965 (North) 01372 376912 (South)67Online resources and information

Disclaimer: please note all the websites are externally managed therefore GMASNHS Trust does not have any control on content

Government Guidance

Department of Health www.doh.gov.ukCommission for Racial Equality www.cre.gov.ukEqual Opportunities Commission www.eoc.org.ukDisabilities Rights Commission www.drc-gb.ukHome Office www.homeoffice.gov.ukGovernment Social Exclusion Unit www.socialexclusionunit.gov.ukAdvisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service www.acas.org.ukCivil Service Good Practicehttp://www.diversity-whatworks.gov.uk/relegion/help.aspRefugee and Asylum Seekers www.refugee-action.org.ukCensus 2001 www.statistics.gov.uk/census2001

Religions, festivals and customs

BBC Religions and Ethics sitehttp://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/index.shtmlReligions of the worldhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/people/features/worldreligions/Photo Library http://www.worldreligions.co.uk/Britain’s Religionhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/religion/Story/0,2763,209804,00.htmlReligions in the UKhttp://www.racialjustice.org.uk/THEWORLDSRELIGION.htmlFaith communities and groupshttp://www.multifaithnet.org/Interfaith networkhttp://www.interfaith.org.uk/Religious ethical systemshttp://www.religioustolerance.org/68Overview of world religionshttp://philtar.ucsm.ac.uk/encyclopedia/New Religions of the Worldhttp://www.nrw.co.uk/Western religionshttp://home.earthlink.net/~jkash/world.htmReligious educationhttp://www.thelighthouseforeducation.co.uk/re.htmWorld religionshttp://users.ox.ac.uk/~worc0337/serious/religion.html

Specific religions and their organizations

The Bahá’í World: www.bahai.orgNational Spiritual Assembly of Bahá’ís: www.acemake.com/ukbahai/The Buddhist Society: www.buddsoc.org.ukBuddhist Information Network http://www.buddhanet.net/Friends of the Western Buddhist Order: www.fwbo.orgThe Church of England: www.church-of-england.orgCatholicism http://www.vatican.va/Churches Together in Britain & Ireland: www.ctbi.org.ukCouncil of Christians and Jews: www.jcrelations.com/ccjukThe Religious Society of Friends: www.quaker.org.ukUnited Reform Church: www.urc.org.ukHindu Net: www.hindunet.orgIslamic Cultural Centre: www.ramadan.co.ukThe Islamic Foundation: www.islamic-foundation.org.ukJain World: www.jainworld.comThe Jewish Network http://www.jewish.co.uk/Jewish Association for Business Ethics: www.jabe.orgThe Jewish Board of Deputies: www.bod.org.uk

The Office of the Chief Rabbi: www.chiefrabbi.org69Muslim Council of Britain: www.mcb.org.ukThe Muslim Directory http://www.muslimdirectory.co.uk/The Salvation Army: www.salvationarmy.org.ukSikhs: www.sikhs.orgZoroastrian Net: www.zoroastrian.net

Other Information

Building Good Relations with People of Different Faiths and Beliefs:www.btinternet.com/~ifnet.uk/code.htmCommunity Cohesion:http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/reu/community_cohesion.pdfFaith Good Practice Guidehttp://www.lga.gov.uk/Documents/Publication/Faith.pdfInvolving faith communities:www.dtlr.gov.uk/regeneration/icrc/involve/index.htm

Research

Ethnic Minorities and the Labour Market:www.cabinet-office.gov.uk/innovation/2001/ethnicityFaith Makes Communities Work:www.faithandcommunity.org.ukFaith, voluntary action & social policy:www.ivr.org.uk/faith.htmReligious Discrimination in England and Wales:www.multifaithnet.org/projects/religdiscrim/reports.htm70Spirituality and Organisations:www.futurebusiness.org.uk/docs/dissertation.timcarter1.docUser-Led Research Project into Mosque:www.mentalhealth.org.uk/html/content/pressmh23.cfmSpirituality at Work

The Faith and Work Project: http://users.aol.com/faithworkFuture Business Network: www.futurebusiness.org.ukThe Grubb Institute: www.grubb.org.ukHeart At Work: www.heartatwork.netPublic Sector www.workingbalance.co.uk/index.phpSpirit at Work programme: www.dominoperspectives.co.ukSpirit in Business/Europe: www.pasadome.comSpiritual Intelligence: www.som.cranfield.ac.uk/som/Spirituality at Work: www.spiritualityatwork.comWorking with Spirit: www.workingwithspirit.comWork Structuring: www.work-structuring.com

Other organisations/addresses

Multicultural Resources Ltd PO BOX 298, Bolton BL3 2AWTel 01204 366868 Fax 01204 481496 email: multicultural@talk21.comFor information and resources on all communities, religions and faithsHope Education LtdHyde Buildings, Aston Road, Hyde, Cheshire, SK14 4SHTel. 08702- 433400 Fax 0800 929 139.Publishes a seasonal catalogue for schools and nurseries. This contains lots ofresources (books, charts, activity packs) to help teach the major festivals of anumber of world faiths, including Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam andSikhism.718. GLOSSARY

Abramic A group of religions that recognise Abraham as a patriarch. This includesJudaism, Christianity and Muslims.Advent A period of time before Christmas, beginning on the Sunday closest to 30November when the birth of Jesus is recalled.Allah This is an Arabic word which means the One True God. Muslims in the Westuse Allah and God interchangeablyAl-Hijra An Islamic holy day that recalls the trek by Mohammed and his followers toMedinaAncestor worship The veneration or worship of deceased people by their living kin.It exists in about 60% of the world's cultures.Angel In the Bible they were an immortal species which delivered messages fromGod (from the Greek angelos - messenger)Anglicanism The beliefs and organization of the Church of England and the nationalchurches that together form the Anglican CommunionAnimism Belief that all components of the universe, including humans, animals,plant life, rocks, contain some form of life force or spiritAssalamu alaikum The Muslim greeting meaning Peace be upon youBahá'í A world religion, founded in 1844 CE by Baha'u'llah (Glory of God) in Iran.Its roots are based in IslamBahá’u’lláh The title for the founder of Bahá’í faithBaisakhi The Sikh’s New Year celebrationBaptism Immersion in water - within Christianity, it is usually performed by amember of the clergy in a church setting, thus welcoming an individual into thechurchBefore Common Era Abbreviated B.C.E. – a non-religious way of representing the

period known as Before Christ (B.C.)Beltane One of the four major Sabbats celebrated annually by Wiccans and otherNeopagans on the evening of April 30. It is based on an ancient Celtic seasonal dayof celebrationBible The holy text used by Christians. It includes Hebrew Scripture (Old Testament)and Christian Scripture (New Testament)Bodhi Day The day when Buddha decided to sit under the bodhi tree, and remainthere until he reached enlightenmentBrahma The creator God, one of the Hindu trinity of deities, which also includesShiva and VishnuBuddha A Buddhist term used to refer to Prince Siddhartha, (560 - 480 BCE) afterhis enlightenmentBuddha Day A celebration of the birthday of the Buddha72Buddhism A world religion, founded in the 6th century BCE by BuddhaCantor A singer who leads the synagogue services, also known as a HazzanCatholic It implies a worldwide faith, rather than a local one(from the Greek wordKatholikos roughly meaning universal)Common Era Abbreviated CE – a non-religious way of representing the periodknown as AD Anno Domine – after the birth of ChristCommunion Christian ritual, sometimes called the Eucharist, or Mass, or Lord'ssupperConfucianism A system of thought originating in China about 500 BCE, consideredby some to be a religionCoptic An Orthodox Christian churchCoven A local group of Wiccans or other Neo-pagans, which can be of any size, butare most often about a half-dozenCrucifix A Christian religious symbol representing Jesus nailed to the crossDalai Lama The spiritual leader of Tibetan BuddhismDay of reckoning Judgment day as described in the Christian Bible. A time when allwill be judged and sent either to Heaven or HellDharma The teachings of the Buddha – the way to enlightenmentDiwali Hindu Festival of LightsEaster Day One of the most important holy days of the Christian calendarcelebrating the resurrection of Jesus ChristEcumenical From a Greek word meaning worldwide. Any movement whichattempts to bring together various denominations within a single religion. The termis used most commonly by the Christian faith

Eid ul-Adha Muslims celebrate this Feast of Sacrifice at the conclusion of the Haj. Itrecalls Abraham's willingness to ritually murder his son in response to a command ofGodEid (‘Id) Muslim festivals - There are two Eids every yearEightfold Path A Buddhist path which one must follow to escape sufferingEnlightenment Buddhist term which means to have grasped the ultimate reality andescaped the endless repetition of birth, life, death and rebirthEquinox When the sun crosses the equator, and daytime and night-time are bothclose to 12 hours. Many religious holy days are synchronized to the equinoxes,including the Jewish Passover, and Christian Easter. Wiccans, other Neopagans,Native Americans and followers of many aboriginal religions worldwide celebrate theequinoxesFaith group A general, inclusive term that might be used to refer to a religion,denomination, sect, or cultFast; Fasting The act of doing without food and/or water for an interval of time -generally to attain a spiritual goal. The practice is widespread among followers of manyreligions73Fatwa An Islamic term that literally means an answer to a question. Traditionally, ithas been a recommendation or an opinion issued by a Muslim scholar on a specificsubjectFeng Shui A belief, originating in Taoism, that structures and objects need to beproperly aligned in order to promote health and functioningFive K’s 5 Sikh practices – see the section on SikhismFive precepts A Buddhist list of activities to avoid: Killing, stealing, sexualmisconduct, lying and the taking of intoxicantsFundamentalist A term used to refer to the most religiously conservative groupwithin Christianity. Within Judaism, Islam and other religions, the term is used to referto the extreme conservative wing who strictly follows its religious teachingsGentile In Judaism: a non-Jew. In Mormonism: Jews and other non-MormonsGod A supernatural being. Various religions assign different attributes and qualitiesto God, such as a body, omnipotence, omniscience, omnipresence, love, hate,tolerance, intolerance, etc.Gospel One of the four books at the start of the Christian Scriptures which give anaccount of Jesus' life; e.g. the Gospel of MarkGurdwara Sikh temple or religious meeting place - literally the gateway of the Guru

Guru A religious leader or revered teacherHajj A pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina in Saudi Arabia which every Muslim isexpected to perform at least once during their lifetime, if they are physically andfinancially ableHalal Permissible according to Muslim law – but normally heard in the context ofmeat / food that fulfils the requirements of Muslim lawHanukah A major Jewish festival (December) commemorating the rededication ofthe Second Temple in JerusalemHaram Prohibited (illegitimate) in Muslim law (opposite of halal)Heaven The abode of God in Christianity and Islam, where selected individuals goafter death to be with God. Faith groups differ in their belief about who will attainheaven after deathHell The other destination after death, for individuals who are not selected forHeaven, perhaps because of their actions in life. Popularly believed to be a place ofeternal punishmentHeresy Beliefs that are forbidden by the policy deciding body of a faith group. Onegroup's heresy is frequently another group's required belief or dogmaHijab A scarf that many Muslim women use to cover their hair.Hinduism The third largest religion in the world, after Christianity and Islam. It is ahenotheistic faith which exists in many hundreds of variations.I Ching A Chinese technique of predicting the future, based on a book by the samename - one of the five foundational books of ConfucianismIdol A drawing, statue, or other representation of an item in heaven or earth, that is74used for worship. Anything in life that takes a position of priority over one'srelationship with God or DeityImam Title for the Muslim leader/priest who leads the prayersInfidel A person who does not believe in your particular religion, denomination orreligious traditionIslam The second largest religion in the world, based on the Qur'an, which is said tohave been dictated to the Prophet Mohammed by the angel Jibreel in 622 CEIslamic Synonym for Muslim, a follower of IslamIsrael One who struggles with God, a name given to Jacob, now describing the stateJainism The oldest ascetic religious tradition, founded in the sixth century BCE byMahavira (599-527 BCE)Jehovah's Witnesses Fundamentalist Christian denomination which originated inUSA

Jesus Founder of Christianity. Also Yehoshua, Yeshua, Iesous, IesusJihad In Islam, a striving for perfection. Usually, the term refers to an internal strugglethat a person has with their imperfections.Judaism Often regarded as the earliest monotheistic religion, and the originalAbramic religionKa'bah, Kaabah The black cubical structure in Makkah (Mecca) that Muslims believewas constructed by Abraham. Muslims worldwide orient themselves towards theKa'bah every day during prayersKoran The name of the God-inspired text of Islam. Most Muslims prefer analternative spelling: Qur'anKosher A set of Jewish dietary rules specified in the Hebrew Scriptures and practicedby many Jews.Krishna An incarnation of a Hindu god Vishnu.Lama Buddhist leaderLent A period of spiritual preparation for Easter in the Christian religion.Madina, Medina City of the Prophet Muhammad, second holy place for MuslimsMagic The use of blessings, spells and incantations to change theoutcomes ofevents. Wiccans and other Neo-pagans limit themselves to White Magic devoid ofcontrol, domination, harm or manipulationMainline, Mainstream Term that is often used to refer to Christian denominationswhich are more liberal than Evangelicals or FundamentalistsMakkah, Mecca The city in Saudi Arabia Muslims face when prayingMala beads A string of beads - 108 is a common number - of uniform size but withone larger bead (the focal bead) - sometimes called prayer beads, worry beads orBuddhist rosaries, used by Buddhists or Hindus to repeat their mantra a certainnumber of times75Mandir A Hindu templeMantra A word or phrase which is repeated continually in order to achieve relaxationor meditationMinaret A tower located beside a mosque. It is often used when Muslims are calledto prayerMohammed, Muhammad Founder of Islam, the final and greatest prophetMosque, Masjid The name used by Muslims to refer to their house of worship. Itliterally means place of prostrationMultifaith, interfaith An attempt to initiate dialogue, cooperation, andunderstanding among individuals of many different faithsMuslim Follower of Islam. It is sometimes misspelled “Moslem” which is offensive to

some MuslimsMysticism The third major way of knowing reality - the other two being faith andscience. Mysticism involves inward perception of the mind, internal illumination, orspecial revelationMyth A traditional story that is not literally true. Most cultures and religions of theworld have a creation myth, for exampleNaturalism The belief that phenomena in the universe are explained by natural laws,and that there are no supernatural forces at workNecromancy An attempt to communicate with the spirits of the deadNeopagan, Pagan Person who follows a religion reconstructed from or based uponan ancient religion. e.g. Druidic (the faith and practices of the ancient Celts); Asatru(pre-Christian Norse religion); Wiccan (the pre-Christian era in Europe); Neopagantraditions do not recognise an all-evil deity similar to the Christian and Islamic SatanNew Age A decentralised and unorganised spiritual movement composed ofmetaphysical bookstores, seminar leaders, authors, teachers and user/believers of avariety of techniques, such as channelling, past life regressions, pyramid science,crystal power, etcNirvana Buddhist term which means a state of mind where all suffering anddissonant emotions which give rise to suffering have ceased and one is released fromSamsaraOccult A group of mostly unrelated spiritual and/or magical activities; an activitywhich involves elements of divination, evil sorcery, magic and/or supernaturallygained concrete experiences or truthsOrthodox When written in lower case, a traditional or historical belief. Whenwritten in upper case, it generally refers to Eastern Christian OrthodoxyPagoda A religious building, especially a multi-storey Buddhist tower in the Far East,erected as a memorial or shrine.Passover The most important feast of the Jewish calendar, celebrated at the first fullmoon after the Vernal EquinoxPentacle Five pointed star inside a circlePentagram Five pointed star - the points often interpreted as referring to earth, air,76water, fire and spirit. Wiccans and other Neopagans use a pentagram as a religioussymbol. They orient the star with one point upward, two downward. Not to beconfused with the inverted pentagram symbol used by Satanists who are not

connected in any way with Pagans or WiccansPolytheist One who believes in the existence of more than one deity. A polytheistoften believes in both Gods and GoddessesProphesy The foretelling of the future through a direct revelation from GodPrayer The act of attempting to verbally communicate with the supernatural, foundin almost all the religions of the world, sometimes communal, sometimes done inprivateProtestantism Christian denomination that is not Roman Catholic, EasternOrthodox, or of the Anglican Communion, that traces its history back to the split withthe Roman Catholic church over the authority of the Pope, the grounds for salvation,and the status of the BiblePuja Hindu worshipPurdah The practice of wearing a scarf or veil by Muslim womenPure Land Buddhist term for a Land of Ultimate Bliss into which a person can bereborn after death and in which they can seek enlightenmentQibla, Qiblah Islamic term for the direction from the Muslim's current position onearth to the Kabbah in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Muslims are expected to pray five timesa day while facing QiblaQuaker The informal name for the Society of Friends faith groupQur’an The name of the holy bookof the Muslim faith, inspired by God. Analternative spelling is KoranRam Term used for God by HindusRamadan Muslim period of daytime fasting and contemplation whichcommemorates the transmission of the Qur'an by the archangel Gabriel toMuhammadRastafarianism Religious movement centred among persons of African origin inJamaica, the USA and the United KingdomRede Old English word for a law or rule. The Wiccan Rede is the main behaviouralrule for Wiccans. In modern English it can be translated as As long as it harm non,do what you wishRedemption Generally refers to the deliverance of believers from a state of sin whichis possible because of the death of Jesus on the crossReformation Christian movement which started in the 16th century and resulted ina complete break with Catholicism. The reformation led to the fracturing ofChristianity into approximately 35,000 faith groupsReincarnation Belief that when a person dies, their soul is reborn into another livinghuman, found among Buddhists, Hindus, followers of the New Age, and mostNeopagans

Ritual, Rite Speech, action, singing, and other activities which often contain a77symbolic meaning, performed in a specific order - typically during a religious serviceor act of worshipRoman Catholicism Largest of the four branches of Christianity (the others beingthe Anglican Communion, Protestant denominations and Eastern Orthodox churches),founded in the fourth century CE and becoming the official religion of the RomanEmpire. The church lost its monopoly after the Protestant Reformation in the 16thcentury but remains the largest single Christian faith groupRosary Prayer beads strung on a thread, used primarily by Roman CatholicsRune Derived from an Anglo-Saxon word runa meaning secret or mystery,originating as a pictorial alphabet in Italy, circa 500 BCE. There are a number ofdifferent sets of runes, each derived from a specific alphabet, such as the ElderFuthrk, Saxon Futhork and Norse Younger Futhark. The word rune also refers to asmall piece of material marked with a rune symbol, such as those used in divinationby many Wiccans and other NeopagansSabbath Originally Saturday: a day of rest and holiness; observed by Jews and aminority of Christian denominations. Most Christian groups now observe Sunday asthe SabbathSacraments A formal church ritual. The Catholic and Orthodox churches have sevensacraments: Baptism, Confirmation, Communion, Penance, Anointing the dying,Ordination and Marriage. Most Protestant denominations only recognize Baptism,Communion and MarriageSahib A suffix used with Asian male names meaning MrSaint Person of great spirituality who has diedSajdah (Full name: As-sajdah) This is the act of prostration by a Muslim during whichseven parts of the body are to touch the ground: the forehead, palms, knees and bigtoesSalat A Muslim prayer. Islam expects each Muslim, where possible, to perform theSalat prayer five times a daySalvation The remission of sins and healing of the gulf between an individual andGodSamahdi In Buddhism, a type of insight achieved through meditation or wisdomSamhain A major sabbat observed by Wiccans and other NeopagansSamsara Buddhist term referring to the endless cycle of birth, life, death, and rebirth.

The goal of a Buddhist is to achieve enlightenment and the escape from samsaraSanteria A religion which combined Roman Catholicism with Pagan religions fromWestern AfricaSatan In Christianity and Islam - a supernatural being (devil) who is profoundly eviland seeks to destroy people's lives. Many people mistakenly believe that followers ofWicca and other Neopagan religions worship Satan. However, the latter do notrecognize any all-evil deity called by the name of Satan or by any other nameScripture In Christianity, this is the Bible. It is composed of the 39 books of theHebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) and the 27 books of the Christian Scriptures (NewTestament)78Sect Small religious group that has recently split away from an established religion.The early Jewish Christian group in Jerusalem circa 30 CE would have beenconsidered sects within Judaism at the timeShi'ah (Shiites) The more fundamentalist group of Muslims, mainly found in Iran,Iraq and the Indian sub-continent, which has its own system of law and theologySri A title of respect in many Asian communitiesSunni (Sunnites) The largest and more orthodox group of Muslims, including themajority of Muslims in the UK, who follow traditional Muslim law and theology(Sunna)Swami A Hindu religious teacherTanakh Jewish Bible (that is, the Jewish Scriptures)Taoism Religion of about 20 million followers was founded by Lao-Tse (604-531BCE), a contemporary of ConfuciusTemple Term used by Buddhists, Hindus and others to refer to their house of worshipTen Commandments (Christian) A set of 10 different commands and prohibitionswhich are intended to govern basic human behaviourTithe The practice of donating 10% of one's income to the churchTorah From the Hebrew word for teaching or law. The Torah are the first 5 books ofthe Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament)Tradition Term used by Neopagans to indicate the group that is being referred to. Itis analogous to denomination in ChristianityTrinity Christians believe that God is simultaneously a unity and is composed of threepersons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Hindus believe that Brahman is simultaneouslyvisualized as a unity, and as a trinity composed of: Brahma the Creator, Vishnu(Krishna) the Preserver, and Shiva. Many Neopagans believe that the Goddess exists

as a trinity, composed of Maiden, Mother and Crone, representing energy, fertilityand wisdom.Unbeliever Person who does not believe in your particular religion denomination orreligious tradition. Similar to infidel, but less judgmentalUniversal atonement Belief that Jesus died for all humans, and not just for thosewho are savedVaisakhi Sikh festivalVedas A group of writings which form the oldest of Hinduism's sacred scripturesVihara A Buddhist templeVishnu One of the Gods in the Hindu trinity; the others are Brahma and Shiva.Krishna is one of eight or nine earthly incarnations of VishnuVision quest An attempt to make contact with a spirit in order to acquiresupernatural powers or protection. Quests are common throughout many aboriginaland indigenous cultures79Vodun Benign religion which combines elements of African Native spirituality andRoman Catholicism.Voodoo A popular name for a Hollywood-created, imaginary religion patternedpartly on the religion of VodunWicca Neo-pagan polytheistic religion with roots in pre-Christian, pre-Celtic EuropeWiccan A follower of WiccaWill One of the two basic functions of the human soul; the other is understandingWitch There are many conflicting meanings. Some common ones are:_ A follower of Wicca, prohibited from using magic to harm others_ In ancient Native American usage and the Hebrew Scriptures (OldTestament), an evil person who secretly uses evil sorcery (black magic)to intentionally harm others._ A wizard who inhabits a fantasy world filled with good and evil peoplewith magical powers, flying broomsticks, dragons, talking animals, e.g.as in the Harry Potter books_ A woman with supernatural powers who can perform miracles bywaving a wand, wiggling their nose, etc. Often seen in TV programmeslike Bewitched or Charmed._ Followers of a group of Caribbean religions which combine elements oftribal African religions with Christianity; e.g. Santeria and Vodun_ In some African Aboriginal religions, a person who unknowingly hassupernatural powers capable of hurting others. Witch doctors attemptto counteract these evil energiesWudu The ritual washing prior to Muslim prayersYing and yang Taoist belief that the universe is make up of pairs of opposing forces,like male and female, positive and negative. One's task is to harmonize these forces,

both within one's body and in the rest of the universeYoga indu series of mental, spiritual and physical exercises designed to aid inenlightenmentYule An ancient Celtic seasonal day of celebration at the time of the winter solstice.A popular minor Sabbat (holy day) observed by Wiccans and other NeopagansZen Japanese school of Buddhism which is similar to the Chinese school of Buddhismknown as ChanZoroaster The Prophet of the Zoroastrian (Parsi) religionZoroastrianism Religion founded in ancient Persia. Many scholars believe that manyreligious concepts which first appeared in Zoroastrianism were later adopted byJudaism and Christianity. These include: heaven, hell, resurrection of the body, theMessiah, final judgment, and the battle of Armageddon