A weather-dependent trip to Robben Island

In by zeinab

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2020-02-03

Country: South Africa
City: Western Cape
We invited friends from around the world to help us celebrate the 10th Anniversary of World Interfaith Harmony Week, and we invited our friends and colleagues from areas around our City that do not often have much interaction. The Cape Flats is a deeply traumatised area of Cape Town with an exceptionally high rate of violent crime. The Faith Leaders of that area are severely stretched, experiencing the daily necessity of supporting their community through yet more gangsterism, yet another murder. But who is supporting these Faith Leaders? We decided to open our hearts and extend our hospitality in a series of united events designed to create interfaith harmony and express our love and support for all. The principle of compassion and a deep desire for social justice were some of our motivating factors. We wanted to show that "you are never alone", and interfaith friendship is our superpower.   Day 3: A weather-dependent trip to Robben Island, the famous island prison that housed the political leadership of the anti apartheid movement. This is an important context for our work because Nelson Mandela was a firm believer in the power and importance of interfaith harmony. His deep connection with various faiths is legendary and a model for leaders everywhere.