Our Shia neighbours certainly put on a show of pomp and pageantry on July 27, 2024, as they observed Murram Juloos, the annual ritual commemorating the death of Husayn ibn Ali, grandson of the Islamic prophet Muhammad and the third Shia imam. It was certainly a family affair; parents, children, old and young, all joined in the procession. It was hard to know whether to call it a celebration, a demonstration, or a solidarity march; it certainly had elements of each. 

I must also say kudos to Memorial Community Church and the Reverend Andrew Allcock, who showed good neighbourliness by allowing Shia worshippers to use their parking spaces. I guess it’s all about loving your neighbour as yourself, as Jesus instructs us, his followers. And since Newham is a multicultural, multiracial community, multireligious borough, I am reminded that the neighbours whom we are called to love come in many shades and faiths.

In truth, I stumbled on the parade by accident, and in all my decades of living in Newham, I had not seen anything like it. A prancing white horse, colourfully decorated banners, and fluttering flags punctured the sea of worshippers garbed in black attire. The procession was the epitome of orderliness, with stewards on hand to ensure the traffic flow wasn’t hindered. The organisers certainly deserve a standing ovation.

As I took my position in front of the Cornerstone Cafe, across the road from the masjid, I was struck by our shared humanity. Yes, we are different in culture, race, and faith, but we all share a common humanity. We all love our families, worry about inflation, and have ambitions, hopes, and aspirations. This shouldn’t be surprising, come to think of it. After all, the Bible tells us, “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” That’s in Genesis 1:27 if anyone wants to look it up.

In rounding up this post, I must say I love Newham because we have, as a community, managed to coexist peacefully. I have lived in this borough for the better part of three decades, and not once have I been mistreated because of my race or faith. Not once. Nor have I heard this of anyone else, although given the size of our community, some will have faced discrimination and other bad behaviour. However, peaceful coexistence is precisely what the Bible asks of everyone living in the London Borough of Newham; “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” Romans 12:18. And I say a big amen.

Pictures from my phone