Tuesday 13 November 2012

It’s Diwali Day!

imageAs well as World Kindness Day, today is also Diwali Day, and many of my friends here in Leicester will be celebrating. There will be fireworks, dancing, feasting, and lots more besides. The City Council supports the celebrations and produces a glossy magazine every year. It is a free publication  [sponsored by a number of local companies] and has articles about food, festivities, fashion, firework safety and many other things.

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Having mentioned the chickpea recipe last week, I was interested to discover that in this year’s magazine there is actually a recipe for a chickpea face mask. So here it is [I will let you know if it works] I don’t believe the picture in the mag is the actual mask [turmeric would surely make it a golden colour?]

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India is famous for its centuries of knowledge about home remedies for all sorts of health and beauty complaints.

These secrets, passed down through the
ages, are some of the oldest methods of health and beauty care in the world.

The following beauty tip from Indian tradition uses natural ingredients so you can look good for less.

For a homemade face mask;  Mix two tablespoons of chick pea flour with ¼ teaspoon of turmeric powder in one cup of plain yogurt. Leave on for 5-10 minutes and then rub off in a circular motion whilst rinsing skin. This mask is great for a general cleanse of the skin, as the turmeric acts as an antiseptic while the chick pea flour removes excess oils on your face.

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I know some of my readers will struggle with the idea of even acknowledging this festival. But I believe it is important to respect the beliefs of others, even if I do not share them. How can I expect friends to engage in conversation about my faith, if I refuse to learn about theirs? And I believe that God is gracious, and He will answer the sincere prayer “Lead me from darkness into light”

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11 comments:

  1. You are absolutely right to acknowledge the festivals of other faiths. I also live in a very multi-cultural area. I can hear the fireworks as I write! I love that my children have friends of other faiths, and that they all talk so easily together about what they believe.

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  2. Ref. your last paragraph...well said.
    I once worked for a small company where the employees were from several faiths,it was tradition to bring in treats to celebrate faith holidays.We would enjoy the treats and informally learn about one another's faith.
    Jane x

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  3. Now, let's just be careful with the idea of turmeric on the face. This is November. With you on all other points x

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  4. Yes, I am with you on this one!

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  5. First time to comment Angela,have to agree with your sentiments regarding Diwali,Matt 5:43-44 is very clear.Your last paragraph summed it up so nicely.
    Love Tricia South Africa

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  6. Obviously I can't avoid Diwali here and even though Christians don't celebrate it we had special sweets at church choir practice last night. I think it is very important to understand other peoples festivals for the very reason you said.

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  7. Lovely post Angela. My Leicester grandsons celebrated Divali with fireworks in the garden (son-in-law is a Hindu) but they go to various Christian childrens activities as well including Messy Church at Oadby Baptist. We had a big birthday party for the elder one at a Christian Centre in Wigston where they made all his schoolfriends and parents of various Faiths so very welcome that some of the Muslim mums were thinking of hiring the venue for their own events. Most annoying to read Clarissa whatshername's recent negative comments about Leicester.

    Ann Johnston

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    1. A brilliant response, Ann. And yes I think CDW was remarkably negative in her comments. One summer I worked in an Asian Project at the end of the 'Golden Mile' - and was made incredibly welcome even though I was the only 'white British'on the team.

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  8. I absolutely agree with you on this one Angela!!

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