Birmingham Buddhist Maha Vihara celebrates its 19^th anniversary in grand scale - 22nd October 2011

The Midlands International Buddhist Association in the U.K. known as the Birmingham Buddhist Maha Vihara celebrated its 19^thanniversary at its headquarters. The participants included different Buddhist nationalities such as Sri Lankans, Indians, Nepalese, Bangladeshis, Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese, Tibetans as well as European Buddhists. The day’s program started at 2.15 p.m. on Saturday the 22^nd October.

The participants were  Dep Lord Mayor and his wife of Birmingham City Council,   Dep Lord Lt, Jagjit Taunque and his wife Satinder The Queen’s representative to Midlands, Bhai Sahibji Mohinder Singh of Presidnet of Sikh community,   Rt.Hon.John Hemming MP for Yardley Birmingham, Rt.Hon.Ms.Shabana Mahmood M.P. for Ladywood, Birmingham, Mr.A.M.Amza Deputy High Commissioner Sri Lanka to U.K.  David Tidmarsh (Vice Chancellor BCU), Mary Carswell Pro-VC BCU, Ramona Kauth Buddhist rep BCF, Peter Rookes, chair BCF, Mei France Vice Chair BCF, Rabia Tasnim Sec. BCF Sior Coleman (Radio WM) , Adam Harper, Diversity Officer WMids Fire Service,  Rev. Colin Marsh, Sec. B/ham Churches Together, Cllr Peter Douglas Osborn, Chair BCC Planning Cttee: Keith Munnings, Director of Buddhist Health Care Chaplaincy, Gareth Jones, Chaplain B/ham University Jane Gallagher, Development Manager WMFF,  Pravin Sangani, Treasurer BCF Dr Kiran Vaja, Hindu rep on BCF, Laxmi Narayan Temple and Ravi Ladva, Bill (and Margaret) Ozanne, Interfaith Advisor to the Roman Catholic Archdiocese, Matthew Smith, Interfaith Advisor to the Bishop of Birmingham, Patricia & David Earle, Rev. John Butcher, WM Police Chaplaincy,  Rev. Tony de Alwis , Rev. John Adelowo, Mohan Lal Gadhu, Chair Matthew Bolton NF,  Rob Capella, Lozells Community Police Patricia Rolf, Sis. Helen, Helen Jobling and Pall Singh – WMBC.

The whole theme was to show solidarity, understanding, integrity, mutual understanding and   respect amongst different faiths, nationalities, culture and social cohesion.