Anzac Day

Soldier statue in ANZAC Memorial

25 April is Anzac day in Australia and New Zealand. This day remembers the day that the Australian & New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) landed at Gallipoli in Turkey in 1915.

The landing was part of an ambitious Allied attempt to capture Istanbul, defeat the Turkish Ottoman Empire (allied with Germany), and open up a supply route to Russia. Troops from Britain, Ireland, France, Canada, & India were also involved.

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Today is World Tai Chi and Qigong Day

It seems there is an international day for everything.

Well, today is World Tai Chi and Qigong day.

Man doing Tai Chi
Man doing Tai Chi – Image by Gianni Crestani from Pixabay

Tai Chi (also spelled Taiji) is a sequence of movements combining Qigong and Chinese martial arts, designed to improve physical and mental well-being. In China, it is common to see groups of people doing Taiji in the park.

Qigong (sometimes spelled Chi Kung) is the ancient Chinese study of energy or Qi. In particular, Qigong is a series of gentle movements designed to improve the Qi in your body. The low-impact and gentle movements are especially popular with older people.

Tied in with Qi is the concept of Yin and Yang, and trying to balance constantly-changing conditions. In Chinese Traditional Medicine, you have good health when the energy in your body is balanced and can flow easily through your body.

Image by 18121281 from Pixabay

Coronavirus is still limiting activities at the moment, but there will be plenty of classes around when the world becomes more normal.

Happy St George’s Day

Carving of St George killing the dragon

Today is St George’s day, the day of the patron saint of England.

But who was Saint George?

The legends say that George was a Roman soldier of Greek descent in what is now Turkey, in the 3rd century. At this time the Roman Empire still believed in the old gods, and George was killed for being a Christian.

His remains are said to be buried in the Church of St George in Lod, in Israel.

A much later legend says that George saved a city in Libya by spearing a dragon that was threatening the city. As a result, the entire city became Christian.

St George is a very popular saint, being also the patron saint of the country of Georgia, Malta, Portugal, the region of Aragon in Spain, Rio de Janeiro, Ethiopia, Beirut, Moscow and many other places.

Ramadan 2021

Lantern with Islamic verses in font of evening light
Image by Ahmed Sabry from Pixabay

The Muslim month of Ramadan starts on 12 April 2021.

During this holy month, Muslims are not allowed to eat food or drink anything, even water, during daylight hours. Many people will devote more time to prayer and charity during this month, as it is believed that good works done during Ramadan have greater benefit. It is one of the five pillars of Islam.

The first meal of the day is called suhur, and is taken before sunrise. People try and eat foods that will stop them being hungry as long as possible. So it might be eggs, beans, porridge, bran muffins, fruit and yoghurt.

At sunset the fast is broken with a meal called iftar, usually some dates to start, along with a drink of water. Then after the sunset prayers, the main meal is eaten. This can be a large banquet of a meal with a variety of dishes, salads, juices and sweets.

At the end of the month of Ramadan is the festival of Eid-al-Fitr, and celebrates the return to a more normal routine.

So Happy Ramadan, or Ramadan Mubarak.

Easter

Painted Easter eggs
Image by anncapictures from Pixabay

This weekend is Easter (for Catholics and Protestants), the holiest part of the Christian year, commemorating the crucifixion (on Friday) and resurrection (on Sunday) of Jesus. Orthodox (Eastern) Christians celebrate Easter in a few weeks (Why? It’s a long story …).

But for many people Easter is also a spring festival, celebrating new life and growth as the world wakes up after winter. That is why there are Easter eggs (symbolising new life and rebirth), and the Easter Bunny (representing growth and fertility – “breeding like rabbits”!)

So Happy Easter, and don’t eat too much chocolate!

Passover

A pile of matzo crackers symbolising Passover
Matzos Image by Ri Butov from Pixabay

We are currently in the time of the Jewish festival of Passover (Pesach in Hebrew), celebrating the release of the Hebrews from slavery in ancient Egypt. The festival lasts for eight days and started last Saturday evening. The name comes from Biblical story where the Hebrews were “passed over” by God and not afflicted with the tenth plague of Egypt.

The festival starts with the Passover Seder, a ritual feast that also involves retelling the story of the Exodus from Egypt. The story is discussed, kosher wine is drunk, bread without yeast is eaten, and there is the Seder plate, with symbolic foods.

During the remaining days, people are required to avoid all leaven or yeast. People also try to only do necessary work, and prefer to spend time with family.

The seventh day of Passover is another festival, celebrating the parting of the Red Sea that enabled them to leave Egypt.

So have a happy and kosher Passover, or Chag Pesach kasher V’Sameach.

COVID Vaccinations at Regent’s Park Mosque

The NHS is holding a pop-up vaccination session for eligible people at Regent’s Park Mosque on Saturday 03 April from 09:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

If you are, or someone you know is, eligible for vaccination and would be interested in getting it done at Regent’s Park Mosque, then contact the number on the attached flyer for more information.

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