This is my religion

The ‘Club van 100′ may sound like a secret sect, but it’s not. Everyone can join this discussion group either as a member or guest. The discussions take place monthly at Delft’s Theater de Veste. The night I attended was in the period between Ramadan and the upcoming Christian holidays. The timing couldn’t have been better for the Club’s discussion of religion.

It was chilly in the hall, so hot conversation was hoped for. The hall was crowded and colorful: some 100 people were present, representing the great religions of the world (Christianity and Islam), along with Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism and others. Having been given a name tag, I sat down at a table with an elderly Dutch lady and a young couple from Somalia. The lady with a Frisian last name introduced herself as a representative of Delft’s Jewish community. The Somalian couple said they were Muslims. I couldn’t make up my mind as for my religion, so ended up looking befuddled, as if I’d just landed from another planet rather than another country.

The organizers made a brief introduction, which immediately established a link between religion and integration. The inevitable association was problematic in nature, sounded like a gong and gave us all the sign to begin.

The Menorah on our table (a nine-branched candelabrum used for celebrating Hanukkah), brought by the Jewish lady, was now the center of attention. The burning candles ignited our curiosity. The Jewish lady explained that in early December Jewish people celebrate Hanukkah, an eight-day festival commemorating the victory of the Maccabees over Antiochus Epiphanes. She then told the long story about how Judah Maccabee formed a resistance movement, drove the Syrians out of Judea and reclaimed the temple in Jerusalem.

The story of Menorah raised eyebrows and the peculiar, somewhat insinuating question, “How does religion affect integration?”, from a Claudia Schiffer look-alike. Claudia said integration was a two-way process: on an individual level, more contact is needed to get to know each other’s customs and traditions. Communication between people from different backgrounds will prevent prejudice. Moreover, as long as the norms and values of the Bible, Koran, the Sanskrit, etc. don’t collide with Holland’s earthly laws, social peace can be ensured. In short, ‘when in Rome, do as the Romans do’. This is my religion.

For info about becoming a member of Delft’s ‘Club van 100’, telephone Mr Peter Tangel on 015 219 5373

The ‘Club van 100′ may sound like a secret sect, but it’s not. Everyone can join this discussion group either as a member or guest. The discussions take place monthly at Delft’s Theater de Veste. The night I attended was in the period between Ramadan and the upcoming Christian holidays. The timing couldn’t have been better for the Club’s discussion of religion.

It was chilly in the hall, so hot conversation was hoped for. The hall was crowded and colorful: some 100 people were present, representing the great religions of the world (Christianity and Islam), along with Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism and others. Having been given a name tag, I sat down at a table with an elderly Dutch lady and a young couple from Somalia. The lady with a Frisian last name introduced herself as a representative of Delft’s Jewish community. The Somalian couple said they were Muslims. I couldn’t make up my mind as for my religion, so ended up looking befuddled, as if I’d just landed from another planet rather than another country.

The organizers made a brief introduction, which immediately established a link between religion and integration. The inevitable association was problematic in nature, sounded like a gong and gave us all the sign to begin.

The Menorah on our table (a nine-branched candelabrum used for celebrating Hanukkah), brought by the Jewish lady, was now the center of attention. The burning candles ignited our curiosity. The Jewish lady explained that in early December Jewish people celebrate Hanukkah, an eight-day festival commemorating the victory of the Maccabees over Antiochus Epiphanes. She then told the long story about how Judah Maccabee formed a resistance movement, drove the Syrians out of Judea and reclaimed the temple in Jerusalem.

The story of Menorah raised eyebrows and the peculiar, somewhat insinuating question, “How does religion affect integration?”, from a Claudia Schiffer look-alike. Claudia said integration was a two-way process: on an individual level, more contact is needed to get to know each other’s customs and traditions. Communication between people from different backgrounds will prevent prejudice. Moreover, as long as the norms and values of the Bible, Koran, the Sanskrit, etc. don’t collide with Holland’s earthly laws, social peace can be ensured. In short, ‘when in Rome, do as the Romans do’. This is my religion.

For info about becoming a member of Delft’s ‘Club van 100’, telephone Mr Peter Tangel on 015 219 5373