A summary of our webinar with Bright Richards, 14 November 2024
We welcomed Bright Richards, founder of New Dutch Connections, and listened to how his theatre performances led him to beautiful interreligious encounters. Then, through questions regarding faith and practices, Bright created a virtual space for sharing and celebrating common ground. From the meaning of prayer to very intimate moments lived, participants shared a beautiful expression of what it means to them.
When did you last pray?
“Two minutes ago” ; “Today” ; “A long time ago”
When was the last time you prayed with someone from another religion, how did it go?
“Last month… not easy but amazing.”
“I was really touched when I was invited to join a prayer in a mosque, learning the rituals… People would tell me what you’re praying is between you and God, we don’t care, we just invite you to join.”
Have you ever been in a situation where you were forced to pray, where you had nothing else to turn to? A very emotional moment maybe?
“Delivering a baby!”
“A combination of praying and cursing… in a refugee camp.”
“I don’t believe in God and don’t pray, but I have spiritual practices. And I’ve been in situations where I was so scared that, yes, the only thing I could do was praying to, I don’t know who or what, but praying.”
“When my father was diagnosed with cancer, and the doctors were very pessimistic… At that moment, all I could do was pray for him.”
“A prayer I will never forget in my life is the one I made when my boat broke down when crossing to Greece… I just said ‘take care of my mother, and take you for this life’.”
What is happening to your body as you pray, in these moments of emotions and frustrations?
“When I bow down with my heart above my brain, I feel the bloodrush, I feel energised, those movements are powerful and give me strength.”
“I don’t just pray when I’m sad or having a hard time… Sometimes the moment just comes that I feel I need to pray. I’m not part of a specific religion but I am convinced of the place of prayer.”
“In a way, praying is breathing, hoping, trusting the next moment, the next step, or just enduring something difficult, hoping something will open up for you.”
As Bright left us, we watched the video of an interfaith prayer held at the occasion of the Spirit of Amsterdam festival – a breathtaking show of unity in song. Participants then kept on sharing and celebrating how the interreligious relations they find at AWoN are a light in the dark for them.
“I have not stopped smiling since Dirk Ficca said ‘Salam Alaykoum’ to me a few years ago. I was wondering what this white American Christian guy wanted with me… We had that same incarnation of ‘being good to each other’.”
“Several verses of the Quran come to mind when thinking of what we do at AWoN. In the diversity of our faith and background, we can create a world of respect.”
“You are angels in disguise.”
As we all wished each other to enjoy the celebrations to come with loved ones, we knew we had already gathered a good amount of light, joy and energy for the new year!
