In earlier articles, I have discussed issues which I see as wrong in our world, and things we let drift unresolved. But when we analyse issues and look for alternative ways ahead, we also must be critical and sharp, yet not overdo it. We should remember the simple pedagogical ‘trick’ that change is best encouraged if we use positive encouragement and praise. Mothers know this best, but we all need to reflect on it, certainly now in the holy month of Ramadan and the Christian month of Lent.
It was a special day in the Norwegian capital Oslo last Sunday when the leader of the City Council, Erik Lae Solberg, opened the festive Ramadan lights on the City Hall at the Fridtjof Nansen Square, the Roald Amundsen Street, and the adjacent downtown streets on the eve of Ramadan. This year, the beginning of Ramadan coincides with the mid-fast Sunday in the Christian Church; few Christians fast in our time, but it is still referred to in the secular and religious calendars and preached about in religious services.
Hesco detects 422 power theft cases The newly elected City Council leader spoke at the event, along with the leader of the Islamic Council Norway, Masoom Zubair, and several other Muslim leaders. Oslo now follows suit with what London Mayor Sadiq Khan began last year, making Coventry Street become a festive street for the holy Muslim month. And at Christmas, there will be equally festive decorations and lights. Erik Lae said in his speech that he was glad to begin this tradition in Oslo, a city that has always been diverse but has in recent decades become even more multicultural and international. Erik Lae said in his speech that he wants the city to show its unity, inclusiveness, and diversity. Erik Lae represents the Conservative Party in politics, but he still has no problem being inspired by the Labour Party’s Mayor of London, on an issue that does not really have any political or party colour.
Oslo has many beautiful and monumental old churches, but there is not yet a Main Oslo Mosque. Perhaps that will come in the future in a city with some fifteen percent of its inhabitants being Muslims. The state church of Norway was dissolved in 2012, but still, the country remains mainly Christian, at least culturally. Some people have also drawn attention to opening a ‘neutral’ House of Prayer for all religions.
Injured ASI dies in Karachi hospital In Nairobi, Kenya, there is a school called Starehe Boys’ Centre and School, a top institution in the land with the majority of the students coming from poor families or orphans, mixed with middle and upper-class students. Some decades ago, visited the school and spoke with the school director Geoffrey William Griffin, who was one of the main founders in 1959. He explained that the school and home had been established as a rescue centre for the homeless and that it soon grew into a top school, attracting rich children, too, who would be charged high fees to pay for all, plus donors contributing. He said that just after a semester or so, nobody would be able to tell who was rich and who was poor. Furthermore, to underline that all human beings are alike, the main assembly hall in this school is built with several windows and alters; turning in one direction, it is a church, turning the other way, it is a mosque, and the third way, the window has Hindu symbols.
Shopkeepers fined for overcharging during Ramazan crackdown I came to think about this unique school and its assembly hall after a car accident on a rural highway in Norway some time ago. Two young Muslim brothers had gone to the nearest city to collect their first new car, a Honda Civic no less. On the way home, they must have lost control of the car and a terrible accident happened and both brothers died on the spot. They had grown up in the nearby village and were integrated members of the community. However, the unexpected issue came to the fore; how and where should the memorial service and burial take place? It was easy to call a Muslim clergy from a nearby town, but the church only allowed the outside garden and burial place to be used. In the future, I hope that the many beautiful Norwegian churches can be used for ceremonies for everyone, with required alterations of symbols and decorations, depending on the specific ceremony. The state maintains the churches as cultural heritage sites. A debate has begun and the church leaders must show positive and all-inclusive attitudes, the real values of all religions.
Declamation contest on “Womens’ Role as Peace Builder” held at SALU And now then, from religion and serious issues to lighter issues about cooperation in music and dance, and the story about cooperation across country borders in such fields in Scandinavia. Last Saturday, Marcus and Martinus (22), identical twin brothers from North Norway, won the European Music Festival contest of Eurovision TV on behalf of Sweden. The final event will be held in May in Malmo, Sweden, having won last year’s event. Interesting, too, is that this year, many want to boycott Israel from participating, due to the war in Gaza. The text of its music entry is said to have a political message, which is not allowed. If the Swedish organizers would try to get out of it without stating a reason, it ought to be possible to say that there are major security problems with allowing the Israeli participants to attend, for the singers from Israel as well as other participants and the audience.
Bid to smuggle 22,800 litre Iranian fuel foiled I am glad that Sweden this year allows performers from another country, a close neighbour, can represent Sweden. Perhaps the Norwegians, Marcus, and Martinus, will do their best for Sweden, but they don’t have to win. After all, Sweden won the whole contest last year. About cooperation in music and other friendly fields, this year’s Eurovision reminded me that Norway twice has been represented in the contest by Alexander Rybak, who is of Belarusian heritage, and Åse Kleveland, who is of mixed Swedish and Norwegian heritage, now not only a Norwegian citizen but even a former government minister of culture and equality. All the mentioned artists remind us that music is borderless with an international language, inspiring more cooperation in music and other fields.
There are many things around us that we can and should praise. We are good at seeing what is wrong in others, focusing less on encouraging cooperation and inclusion. Besides, if I look for what is positive, I will find it, and if I follow up on positive actions, I will be able to do more of it – in everyday life and big politics, in Ukraine, Gaza, Yemen, Syria, Sudan, and more. And then, we should draw attention to positive stories and their model functions. If somebody praises me, I will try to live up to the expectations and actually become better than I would otherwise. Also, we know that it is in giving that we receive, and in doing one good deed, we learn to do more good deeds. If this becomes our focus, in the spirit of God Allah, then we may even be able to experience a world with wars and conflicts.
Atle Hetland
The writer is a senior Norwegian social scientist with experience from university, diplomacy and development aid. He can be reached at atlehetland@yahoo.com
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