| One
of the striking features of the London Borough of Ealing is
the diversity of its population. In 2001 it was estimated that
people of minority ethnic origin accounted for over 41% of
all those living in the area. In addition, Ealing is one of
the largest recipients of asylum seekers and refugees in the
country. This influx of new residents has resulted in a borough
rich in a variety of cultures and beliefs.
Brother
Daniel Faivre, who lived in Southall
for more than twenty years, is one person who celebrated
this diversity, and he very graciously allowed the
four multifaith pilgrimages found in his book Glimpses
of a Holy City to be published on the internet. Centred
in Southall, these tours represent only one facet of
the jewel that is the multicultural and multifaith experience
in Ealing.
In
his introduction,
Daniel describes how Southall grew from “a railway junction
in the middle of sprawling farm land” into a vibrant,
mixed community. Linking to the maps page,
you will find an explanation of how to use the maps to follow
the on-line pilgrimages. And in my afterword,
I describe my own multifaith experience and give acknowledgement to
those people who have helped in the construction of this
site.
Often
throughout human history, the mixing of differing races and
cultures has initially led to conflict; in Southall, in 1979,
the eruption of violence among police, anti-racist protestors
and National Front supporters left one dead and many seriously
injured. However through the work of people like Brother
Daniel, the blessings of a multicultural society have also
had their chance to flourish. As these pilgrimages hopefully
show, in some respects, in Ealing we’re
getting it right.
Note: It is with much sadness
that I announce the death of Brother Daniel on 10 September
2007. The world
has lost a very great soul.
(Photos
by: Nora Leonard and Ben Schofield)
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