17th
January
Should the Burka be banned?
A discussion led by
Carrie Langford
Carrie began by asking members present to give a show of hands to indicate whether or not they supported a ban on the burka. Of the 18 members present 7 favoured a ban, 7 were against a ban and 4 abstained.
Carrie
gave examples of special clothes and symbols used by many religions to
let members show their allegiance, the turban of the Sikhs, the crucifix
of Christians, the yarmulke worn by Jewish men, and the burka worn by
some Muslim women. The Quran states that both men and women should dress
modestly, but authority for the wearing of the burka may be derived from
the Hadith, a later collection of rules, governing proper behaviour for
Muslim women and men.
Members of the audience spoke on the topic, some suggesting that people
should be able to dress as they wish and that we should be tolerant of
differences. Others wondered if it is the choice of Muslim women to wear
the burka, or whether it is Muslim men who require it.
After a lively discussion Carrie asked the members to give a second show
of hands to see how many now favoured a ban on the burka. The opinion
of members had changed with 4 supporting a ban, 11 against a ban, with
3 abstaining.
Carrie was thanked by Pedyr from the Chair for leading our discussion.
21st February
Landscapes
of Loss and Farewell
A talk by Sue Hill of Wildworks Theatre http://www.wildworks.biz/aboutwildworks.html
With
the aid of projected photographs Sue told us about the work of the
Wildworks Theatre Company.
The company do not work in a purpose-built theatre, but use open air
locations and sometimes disused buildings to stage their productions.
They have worked in Cornwall, where the company is based, but also
in France, Malta, Cyprus, as well as many towns in the United Kingdom.
They are able to make use of the weather, light, fire and the natural
surroundings, often improvising by making use of whatever is to hand.
Most importantly they make use of the people found in the locality
where they are working, not only to enlarge the cast, but also to
involve them in the story, and the new understandings that arise from
the performance. The audience are taken on a journey, often literally.
The story of Orpheus and Euridice is adapted and used as a means of
helping communities to move through periods of grief brought about
by rapid change, or to move beyond hostility between opposing factions.
A future project is planned for the Shankill Road in Belfast.
The group had many questions about the work, so Sue then spent about half an hour answering and explaining.
The
chairman Pedyr Prior thanked Sue for her very interesting talk, and
refreshments were taken.