May 2011 Gathering of the Islamic Community Food Project (London)

Community organising with the earth in mind

"On the earth there are Signs for those of inner certainty, as also within your own selves..." (Qur' an 51: 20-21)

Next gathering: Sun 8th May 2011: Registration details below

Time: 11am-4pm

Venue: Spitalfields City Farm, Buxton Street, London, E1 5AR (near Brick Lane). Nearest tubes: *Use either Bethnal Green or Liverpool Street* (both on the central Line and still walking distance) as other local lines are scheduled to be closed during the weekend. Buses D3. Map & Directions: http://tiny.cc/l0nrw

Organised by Wisdom In Nature (WIN) with Spitalfields City Farm

Some people call it a 'food growing project'; others, like Corporate Watch describe it as 'part of a rising social movement that can shake...the global corporate food system'. So, what happens in the Islamic Community Food Project? Who is it for? And what will you be doing if you join in?...

Open to people of all faiths and beliefs; Tower Hamlets residents especially welcome.

Be empowered: Practicals on the land & grassroots organising with like-minded participants.

Develop experience in social change & facilitation - life-enhancing skills so vital in today's world.

Hear and share ideas & stories - take small, vital steps to make the imagined real.

Bring a team spirit & the yearning of your soul to create a sustainable, more compassionate world for all!..

As more people organise from the grassroots, community food initiatives are on the rise. These small steps not only empower, but offer alternatives to the globalised food system that favours multinationals. At the same time, within Muslim communities awareness is growing that Islam offers ecological principles that extend beyond the term 'halal'. This project aims to contribute to a more holistic way of thinking - one that empowers individuals, helps build resilient communities, and genuinely draws us towards a sustainable and more compassionate world.

WHO IS THE EVENT FOR?

-Anyone seriously thinking about being involved with the ongoing project. All kinds of experience and backgrounds are welcome. Also present will be those already involved.

- A background in community organising or Islamic ecological activism is a plus, but is not essential. The project caters for anyone motivated to contribute. You will have more to offer than you may now imagine!

EVENT CONTENT

-This is the fourth gathering.

-We will participate in a hands-on practical on the land with Spitalfields City Farm.

-There will also be a workshop with Wisdom In Nature: Existing participants will give a brief presentation about the project to help everyone get up to speed. We will then get creative, yet realistic, as we co-organise our next key step on our journey - a stimulating, fun, open event for July on the theme of the project: We will ask ourselves, what would we like to see there? And what can we each offer? (The outline so far centres on: a campfire, picnic, workshops, talks). The collective spirit in organising will be of co-learning and being empowered, which will include taking responsibility. The project is ongoing, and for those who want to continue there will be follow-up activities for organising and taking action together.

WHAT TO BRING

Please dress for the weather and bring sturdy footwear. Tea/coffees/refreshments will be provided. Please bring food to share for lunch.

COST: £5 per person. Reduced rate for unemployed/regular WIN donors/regular participants (£2).

REGISTER: To reserve your place, please send an email titled 'Register', with your full name to: communityfood AT wisdominnature.org.uk (replace AT with @ & delete the gaps); You will then receive confirmation and further info. Note that each person must register for her/himself only, and registration is for the full day.

Past Posts: www.wisdominnature.blogspot.com/search/label/icfp ; More info: Wisdom In Nature: tel 0845 456 3960 (local rate).

Gathering Momentum with the ICFP...

Our next gathering of the Islamic Community Food Project (i.e. ICFP!) is due on May 8th. So, let's take a look at of some of the ideas that are brewing..!

Firstly, we've been brainstorming ways of keeping the creativity and energy going between the gatherings at Spitalfields. We went through a facilitated exercise a couple of weeks ago and captured ideas that were shared on this very topic. See flip chart, below. To enlarge, simply click on the photo...



We'll develop this further and have already started to act on it as a team.


Participants in the project are also excited about jointly organising a potential action in July, in the form of a stimulating, fun, open event on the theme of the project. At the May gathering we will carry this forward and ask ourselves, what would we like to see at this July event? And what can we each offer?

The outline so far centres on: a campfire, picnic, workshops, talks. These, and other ideas raised, were caught on this next flip chart:


So, the next step will be the next gathering, where we will share more ideas, get organised and make the imagined real! The date for this is Sunday 8th May 2011, and it will be at Spitalfields City farm. We'll be putting a post up about this very soon. Stay tuned, and come join in if you want to be part of this movement for organised social change...!

Personal Story 3, by Amnah Ali: Islamic Community Food Project at Spitalfields

Arriving at Spitalfields City farm on a sunny Sunday morning armed with a rainproof jacket and impractical boots, I had little preconception of what the Islamic Community Food Project would entail. But the chance to create with my own two hands was incentive enough to go.

I had been thinking about growing my own food for awhile but my inability to sustain indoor plants for longer than a few weeks usually dimmed my hope. If I couldn’t keep a little plant alive would I be able to manage tomatoes; marrows; or even basic herbs. My success rate with coriander was abysmal and I couldn’t bear thinking about the chives.

However, being able to weave my desire to grow with Islamic principles of patience; adab (etiquette); taqwa (God consciousness); and beauty was enticement. As was being able to do it all under supervision of Wisdom In Nature members; Muzammal and Wasi, and the lovely Naomi Glass!

So I arrived, uncertain but relaxed, ready to take on any task given to me. First the boots were discarded; and the bag; a pair of wellies embraced. Then I was raking soil; clearing weeds; replanting rosemary; chitting potatoes; and getting acquainted with a handful of militant spiders. I named them all Henry and hoped none had decided to journey home with me that evening. I was even given my first sprig of lemon balm (a ‘natural air freshener’ as the gutters were being cleaned and emitting a not-so-fragrant smell).

After a morning of sun soaked toiling, we had a group lunch where once again I witnessed the generosity of the group. Being as usual, slightly disorganised and forgetting to bring lunch to share, the group kindly decided to feed me. I realised the importance of community and the bounteousness of sharing. It again made me think of the way we chose to live today: the isolated ‘me’ culture with the one-two person meals from your local supermarket, ingested by you in your home, whilst your unknown neighbours do the same. Meanwhile the ingredients for your meals come from a range of countries; communities who may not have the resources to eat the food they put on your plates. Is there any pleasure to be had in food that comes from discord or sorrow? Whilst I was aware my choices were affecting many people rarely did it feel tangible as it did in that moment.

I saw and felt firsthand that growing the food you eat changes your relationship with food. In my mind’s eye the food is suddenly imbued with blessings: the love; time; affection you gave to it in its growing phase. The process of growing it and then allowing it to nourish you and your beloved community is God consciousness in action. Is it possible not to be grateful when the food you’ve grown is ingested by you? The mercy that it grew, under your protection, when you were nervous it wouldn’t, and now it nourishes your dearest?

We had workshops – wonderful, free, organic workshops – in the afternoon which challenged our perceptions and called for us to really look at how responsible we were when it came to food. I realised that my middle classed upbringing and lifestyle gave me the freedom to make choices – to be fair-trade; organic etc. Yet, I still was unable to really take action. Since then I have ventured baby steps into home gardening. My balcony now supports coriander; chives; and basil. I look at them tenderly and consistently, like an overzealous new mother, hoping that they might survive the spring chill and that my sabr and taqwa will generate nourishment: physical and, spiritual.

Filling the 'fertile void'

A couple of weekends ago, I found myself, once more, down on the farm.  Spitalfields City Farm, that is.  For the latest meeting of the Islamic Community Food Project.  As with other meetings we’d had, I really enjoyed the day - enjoyed interacting with new people, and others who had been a part of the project since the beginning; loved being back down on the farm, surrounded by the honking of the geese (who really own it) and the smells of other animals; and revelled in getting my hands properly dirty as I helped mix soil and compost for a new plant bed to be made in an old holey wheel-barrow.

As we chatted about what we had done to date, the phrase ‘fertile void’ was mentioned, and I immediately latched on to the brilliance of this as a description of the many possibilities that the project could fulfil.  It also reminded me, though, of a project that’s been bubbling in my mind for a few years now.

Behind our block of flats, there is a sort of court yard. It might once have been a tennis court, or maybe a children’s playground, whatever - whatever it was, it no longer is, as it has been locked up for the past...5 years? 10 years?  We’ve lived here nearly 20 years now, and I can’t remember when it was open, and what it was used for back then.  Right now, it’s overgrown with weeds, and full of various bits of trash - a broken chair, a trolley that’s unlikely to see its supermarket ever again, an old hula hoop all bent out of shape.  It’s an eyesore, and just a massive shameful waste of space.

And when I first heard about guerilla gardening a few years back, an idea started forming…  What if we took this space, reclaimed it, and turned it into a space where the estate could plant and grow?  Where people could sit and enjoy the sight of blooming plants, and kids could maybe learn a bit about where their food comes from, other than the local supermarket.  And maybe butterflies would tend the blossom, and the place would become the central hub for our whole community. Yeah, and throw in a rainbow and a couple of unicorns there too!  OK, so maybe I had a slightly rosy, overoptimistic view of what could become of the courtyard.  But thinking realistically, I still believed something could be done with the place.

So, I come back to this idea of the ‘fertile void’.  Imagine filling that?  This neglected dumping ground, that’s basically just an eyesore, waiting to be further vandalised and dumped in.  How amazing is the potential of this place!  Maybe it won’t become a massive community garden and a safe haven for all of the area’s wildlife.  But maybe it could be somewhere where maybe just one or two people will come, and clear up a little.  Maybe put out some young plants, and tend them.  And maybe, a few others, looking out of their windows, and seeing something new, positive, will be encouraged to join in, or just curious to know what’s going on.  And maybe they’ll come down and ask a few questions.  And perhaps those neighbours who we’re still only on nodding acquaintance with will become those neighbours who have a friend that has a few spare seeds, or knows where to get some great compost, or has a few old tyres lying around.  And maybe, just maybe, the seeds of community could flourish in what for now is just an empty space, but one  that is, I feel, absolutely brimming with opportunity.

Sun 27th Feb: Islamic Community Food Project (London)

Connecting with the earth ~ Connecting with people

"On the earth there are Signs for those of inner certainty, as also within your own selves..."
(Qur' an 51: 20-21)

Next Event: Sunday 27th Feb 2011: Registration details below

Time: 11am-4pm

Venue: Spitalfields City Farm, Buxton Street, London, E1 5AR (near Brick Lane). Nearest tubes: *Use either Bethnal Green or Liverpool Street* (both on the central Line and still walking distance) as other local lines are scheduled to be closed during the weekend. Buses D3. Map & Directions: http://tiny.cc/l0nrw

Organised by Wisdom In Nature (WIN) with Spitalfields City Farm

Open to people of all faiths and beliefs; Tower Hamlets residents especially welcome.

Be empowered: Practicals on the land & grassroots organising with like-minded participants.

Develop experience in social change & facilitation - life-enhancing skills so vital in today's world.

Hear and share ideas & stories - take small, vital steps to make the imagined real.

Bring a team spirit & the yearning of your soul to create a sustainable, more compassionate world for all!..

WHO IS THE EVENT FOR?

Anyone seriously thinking about being involved with the ongoing project. Also present will be those already involved.

A background in community organising or Islamic ecological activism is a plus, but is not essential.

As more people organise from the grassroots, community food initiatives are on the rise. These small steps not only empower, but offer alternatives to the globalised food system that favours multinationals. At the same time, within Muslim communities awareness is growing that Islam offers ecological principles that extend beyond the term 'halal'. This project aims to contribute to a more holistic paradigm - one that empowers individuals, helps build resilient communities, and genuinely draws us towards a sustainable and more compassionate world.

Through this project, you will part in hands-on practicals, be empowered to co-learn together and engage in grassroots decision-making & organising followed up with action. The project is ongoing, and this event will lead to further opportunities to connect, organise and take action with like-minded participants.

The programme will include:

A workshop on taking action together, facilitated by Wisdom In Nature; and a practical on the land with Spitalfields City Farm.

Please dress for the weather and bring sturdy footwear. Tea/coffees/refreshments will be provided. Please bring food to share for lunch.

COST FOR EVENT: £5 per person. Reduced rate for unemployed/regular WIN donors/regular participants (£2).

REGISTER: To reserve your place, please send an email titled 'Register', with your full name to: communityfood_AT_wisdominnature.org.uk (replacing _AT_ with @ ) ; Note that registration is for the full day.

Project Blog Posts: www.wisdominnature.blogspot.com/search/label/icfp ; More info: Wisdom In Nature: tel 0845 456 3960 (local rate).

Sun 23rd Jan: Register for Islamic Community Food Project: Upcoming Event

Awareness, Grassroots Organising, & Action..

Date: Sunday 23rd January 2011

Times: 11am-4pm

Venue: Spitalfields City Farm, Buxton Street, London, E1 5AR (near Brick Lane). Nearest tubes: *Use either Bethnal Green or Liverpool Street* (both on the central Line and still walking distance) as other local lines are scheduled to be closed during the weekend. Buses D3. Map & Directions: http://tiny.cc/l0nrw

Organised by Wisdom In Nature (WIN) with Spitalfields City Farm

Open to people of all faiths and beliefs; Tower Hamlets residents especially welcome.

Be empowered: Practicals on the land & grassroots organising with like-minded participants.

Develop experience in social change & facilitation - life-enhancing skills so vital in today's world.

Hear and share ideas & stories - take small, vital steps to make the imagined real

Bring a team spirit & the yearning of your soul to create a sustainable, more compassionate world for all!..

As more people organise from the grassroots, community food initiatives are on the rise. These small steps not only empower, but offer alternatives to the globalised food system that favours multinationals. At the same time, within Muslim communities awareness is growing that Islam offers ecological principles that extend beyond the term 'halal'.

With a deeper food ethic waiting to emerge more fully, there is much that spiritual traditions can offer and each of us can do, to contribute to a more holistic paradigm - one that empowers individuals, helps build resilient communities, and genuinely draws us towards a sustainable and more compassionate world.

Through this project, participants take part in hands-on practicals, are empowered to learn from each other and engage in grassroots decision-making & organising followed up with action. The project is ongoing, and the approach is both contemplative and active.

The programme will include:

A workshop with Wasi Daniju & Muzammal Hussain from Wisdom In Nature.

A practical on the land with Naomi Glass from Spitalfields City Farm.

Please dress for the weather and bring sturdy footwear. Tea/coffees/refreshments will be provided. Please bring food to share for lunch.
COST FOR EVENT: £5 per person to be paid in advance. Reduced rate for regular donors to Wisdom In Nature and regular participants. See registration form for more details.

REGISTER: There are a limited number of places. Registration is essential (except for existing participants) and is for the full day. The registration form can be found via the Wisdom In Nature website, or you can download from here: http://www.wisdominnature.org.uk/Action/Events/events2011/ICFP_Jan11_RegForm.doc

Wisdom In Nature - Islamic Ecological & Community Activism: www.wisdominnature.org.uk ; tel 0845 456 3960 (local rate).

A Journey through the first event: Islamic Community Food Project

An hour before midday, after registering their arrival at Spitalfields City Farm, the eager looking, fresh-faced participants took part in a hands-on practical coordinated by the energetic Naomi Glass. Myself and Wasi also joined in.

One group concentrated energies on the meditative task of careful seed-sowing. Another group flexed their muscles to dig some manure into the earth.

 

 

 

Having developed a team-spirit through these joint efforts, we all reached for the delicious soup that Naomi had prepared only a few moments earlier using mostly ingredients from the farm itself. As we sipped and let the warmth down, we began to talk philosophy, food and much else.

After eating, and following an optional midday contemplative prayers (zuhr), it was time for the workshops. We gently touched down on a couple of introductory ice-breakers elegantly facilitated by Wasi, and then explored food, community, decision making through consultation (shura), and some of our own stories - what we bring to give a few examples. As a co-facilitator, I had the pleasure of working with a fantastic group of people. Some of the exercises were done as whole group, others in sub-groups. We had put quite alot of thought into how we would frame the workshop exercises - what would enable new participants to experientially and collectively get a sense of the idea of an Islamic community food project, whilst giving them space to think creatively and to be empowered? We felt our work paid off, and was supported by the creativity and humility that the participants brought.

One subgroup explored some of the qualities and types of activities associated with 'community'. The flip chart on the left captures some of their ideas. Another subgroup reflected on some key principles or values expressed through Islam around food. The photo on the right captures some of their ideas. (Clicking on the photos should enlarge them).

 

The final session of the day involved considering possibilities for our next steps. Where might we go next? Some ideas began to emerge, whilst others were yet to evolve into a more tangible form, a process that will be supported by time and further reflection.

The exciting journey we are travelling on together continues, and we look forward to welcoming newcomers who feel called to join us at follow-up events.

---

You may also like to read a personal perspective of the first event by participants, Saira Khan, and Ali Ajaz.

All Photos © Wisdom In Nature

Personal Story 2, by Ali Ajaz: Islamic Community Food Project at Spitalfields

"Disenchanted with biased globalised food system" – check!

"Tired of seeing a new Tesco Express opening up 5 minutes from the old Tesco Express" – check!

"Unhappy about seeing the old Tesco Express in the first place" –check!

"Interested in exploring alternatives" – check!

"A community food initiative sounds good" – check!

Having been aware of the important work that Wisdom in Nature have been involved with, I’d been meaning to be a part of this interesting movement for some time now. But events came and went as the toils of this world seemed to get the better of me and my ‘free’ time. However, upon hearing about an Islamic Community Food Project, I was determined to attend hoping to learn something tangible from this grassroots, progressive movement which was based upon the underpinnings of Islamic principles. What could sound better than this?

This first meeting was held at Spitalfields City Farm and although I live less than a few miles away, I had no idea that it existed. Neatly tucked away amongst the urban hustle and bustle, it provided a very welcoming distraction to the all too familiar commotion of the Sunday market in East London. The day started off by helping out with a number of duties on the farm. Now this may sound somewhat daft but I experienced a hint of apprehension about doing something on a farm. I attributed this to my urbanised upbringing and limited connection/neglect of the natural environment around me. I was therefore surprised by the degree of tranquillity obtained from just pulling weeds on this cool Sunday morning. More of this was what I needed!

The afternoon session initially focused upon getting better acquainted with the other members of the group and it became apparent very quickly that there was a common enthusiasm shared by all. Individuals from various backgrounds, seemly united by a hope to be part of something exciting, something meaningful. The group dynamics were allowed to evolve naturally by the expert guidance from Muzammal and Wasi. Concepts of food and community in an Islamic context were explored by the group and by the end of the afternoon, I felt an optimistic vibe reverberating though the group, this despite the ever falling temperature. This Islamic Community Food Project has the potential to grow and bloom into something special and I am looking forward to being a part of it.

Ali Ajaz

All Photos © Wisdom In Nature

Personal Story 1, by Saira Khan: Islamic Community Food Project at Spitalfields

Food For Thought

The “Islamic Community Food Project”, my eyes glazed over a little bit as I read the briefing sheet on my way to Spitalfields City Farm. Hailing from the concrete jungle that is London I’m not sure I had ever set foot on a farm before. Yet on one particularly cold September day I found myself trudging through a farm, trawling through compost, planting seeds, and trying to stare down some uber cool geese strutting around me with what I am convinced was the theme to Saturday Night Fever in the background … I’m not sure I won that stare battle, I got the feeling that they kind of run the place, like some sort of bird Mafia. Not only did I never imagine I would be doing all of the above, but I found that I was actually thoroughly enjoying myself!

I must confess that it was with more than a pinch of trepidation that I volunteered to be part of this project. I wasn’t exactly clear on what it was all about, but this was actually a blessing in disguise because I found that the atmosphere of encouragement, empowerment and participation meant that as the day went on and as the group undertook various discussions and exercises, it became clear that on some level we already knew what we wanted to achieve and the project could in effect be what we collectively wanted it to be. Consequently in a kind of “wax on wax off” moment, the excellent facilitators, Muzammal and Wasi (of Wisdom In Nature) and Naomi (of Spitalfields City Farm), gently prodded our collective knowledge and experience in order to give us the realisation of what our objectives were in developing the project and how we could each contribute to it’s future development. It really is an exciting prospect and I’m looking forward to seeing how it develops.

As for the people involved, I honestly can’t speaking highly enough of the facilitators and the attendees at the project. Each person came with their own story and a great deal of enthusiasm and energy. I felt that this group of like minded people who found themselves laughing, praying, meditating, conversing and eating delicious food together could really be part of something extraordinary.

So, to conclude, I’m glad to report that following our first meeting the Islamic Community Food Project is now up and running. They say that each journey begins with the first step, and I can honestly say that I thoroughly enjoyed making that step and look forward to the future leaps and bounds!

Saira Khan

All Photos © Wisdom In Nature

Sun 26th Sept: Islamic Community Food Project (London)

Awareness, Grassroots Organising, & Action..

Organised by Wisdom In Nature (WIN) with Spitalfields City Farm

Registration details below

Date: Sun 26th Sept 2010

Time: 11am to 4pm

Venue: Spitalfields City Farm, Buxton Street, London, E1 5AR. (Nearest tubes: Whitechapel (Hammersmith & City / District Lines), Aldgate East (Hammersmith & City / District Lines), Bethnal Green (Central Line); Buses D3)

Map & Directions: www.spitalfieldscityfarm.org/visiting/planning-a-trip-to-the-farm.html

Includes a hands-on practical.

As more people organise from the grassroots, community food initiatives are on the rise. These small steps not only empower, but offer alternatives to the globalised food system that favours multinationals. At the same time, within Muslim communities awareness is growing that Islam offers ecological principles that extend beyond the term 'halal'.

With a deeper food ethic waiting to emerge more fully, there is much that spiritual traditions can offer and Muslims and others can do, to contribute to a more holistic paradigm - one that empowers individuals, helps build resilient communities, and genuinely draws us towards a sustainable and more compassionate world.

When we come together with our different life experiences, skills, and backgrounds, we can achieve so much more than when we work in isolation. This day is for anyone who wants to work with others to help culture this new paradigm. It is for those who want to hear and share ideas & stories, reflect on what is possible, and take small, vital steps to make the imagined real.

The programme will include: A workshop with Wasi Daniju & Muzammal Hussain, from Wisdom In Nature;

& a practical on the land with Naomi Glass, from Spitalfields City Farm.

To make the most of the day, bring an open mind, a team spirit, and the yearning of your soul to create something wholesome for all. This is a first event, and for those who want it, can lead to further opportunities to connect and organise with like-minded participants.

Please dress for the weather and bring sturdy footwear. A vegetarian soup meal and refreshments will be provided. Feel free to complement with any small snack to share.

COST: £2 donation per person will cover expenses including food.

REGISTER: To reserve your place, please send an email titled 'Register', with your full name, to: communityfood_AT_wisdominnature.org.uk (replacing _AT_ with @ ) ; Note that registration is for the full day. and will only be complete once you receive a clear confirmation from us. We cannot guarantee registration received after midday on Thursday, 23rd September.

For more info: :

Wisdom In Nature - Islamic Ecological & Community Activism: www.wisdominnature.org.uk ; tel 0845 456 3960 (local rate)

Spitalfields City Farm: www.spitalfieldscityfarm.org