Update from Shabeb

Very tired, been out playing football in the village again. Trying to send you another blog but Internet keeps cutting out. It may come in several different messages. Had another very interesting day and I am learning so much about my self, my prejudices and how they affect my relationship with people who are different. Today we have focused a lot on our identity and how that affects the relationships we have with others. We also did our presentations about the field trips we have had over the last three days, can't wait to get back to England and show everyone them. Actually, I can wait, I would love to stay out here longer and learn more about this place, I can't say it enough times, the people at the workshop and the Bangladesh people are amazing. I can say one thing for certain....there is no shortage of food in Bangladesh, wherever we go we are being fed like kings.

Over the weekend we split up into four groups and have been on field trips to separate places. Three of the visits were to villages around Bangladesh to meet people from various projects but I decided to stay here and go on the Dhaka field trip.......and I am glad I did. It was an exhausting three days, starting at 7am each day and not getting back till after 8pm at the earliest but I have learned so much and met so many people it was definitely worth it. In the three days we made over 16 visits to various religious organisations including Dhaka central mosque (Baitul Mukarram - which can hold over 100,000 people and has been built from white marble and tile. We also visited people at the International Krishna Consciousness (a reformed Hindu group), Ram Krishna mission, Buddhist Temple, Sikh temple, a variety of churches (Baptist, Methodist, Catholic), Ahmadiya, Parliament, The National Monument Dhaka YMCA, An ancient Cemetery for missionaries. We have also had meetings with the Editor of the Independent newspaper of Bangladesh who wants to publish our story and with the Bangladesh Interreligous council for peace and Justi8ce. Perhaps the best experience was attending Dhaka University and meeting with the staff and students of the World Religion Department.

These guys were amazing but shocked us, as when we got there they had arranged a seminar at which we were the panel & speakers and there were over 60 students in attendance. We were not expecting that but it was an amazing experience speaking about peace, justice and interfaith relations with these young leaders. This seems a lot and it was, trust me, especially as we had to eat at every single place we visited (I have never eaten so much in my life). By the end of it all I was shattered but I learned some amazing things. In this world where Minorities are treated so badly and Muslims are accused of being extremist/radical/terrorists/fanatics, the people of Bangladesh (population 95% Muslim) treat their minorities with such respect and dignity. None of the places we visited had a bad word to say about the Muslims, in fact they complemented them on their understanding and support. All these minority groups are treated the same as any other Bangladeshi person and in fact many Muslims work with them, have dialogue and help them settle into society. We can learn so much about interfaith understanding, relations and engagement from this country.Thanks Ken and YMCA Bangladesh sends its compliments. hope Matts dad is ok.