Welcome to this vigil for Black History Month, a time to honour, hope, and heal. My name is Rev. Aaron Moffat-Jackman. Today’s service is a special one because we gather not just as a Christian community, but as an interfaith community. We are united by our shared commitment to justice, compassion, and peace, regardless of our individual faith traditions.

Black History Month reminds us of the countless Black and Brown individuals who have shaped our communities and contributed to the rich history of Scotland. Today, we come together to honour their legacies, acknowledge the struggles and triumphs they faced, and seek hope for a future where justice and peace prevail for all. This interfaith service reflects the truth that the call for justice is one that transcends religious boundaries. Together, we strive for a world where all people are treated with dignity and equality.

The order of service is pretty self-explanatory. Feel free to participate in a way that means something to you.

As we open this time of reflection, I invite you to listen to the song Salaam by Sami Yusuf. The word Salaam means peace, and this song is a prayer for healing and unity across the world. As we listen, may the words inspire us to make peace, both in our communities and within ourselves.

Let us pray:
God of justice and peace,
We gather here to honour the stories of those who have gone before us,
To hope for a future free from racism and injustice,
And to seek healing for wounds both old and new.
Be present with us in this time of reflection and prayer.
Amen.

We begin this vigil with a moment of honouring. Today, we remember and celebrate the contributions of several Black and Brown individuals who have shaped Scotland’s history, culture, and society. Their legacies inspire us to continue striving for justice, equality, and healing. We will hear their names being read out, and as you listen, I invite you to reflect on these stories of strength and courage.

1.      Bashir Maan – A trailblazing politician and community leader in Glasgow, Bashir Maan was the first Muslim to hold public office in Scotland. His work in promoting race relations and interfaith dialogue left a lasting legacy of unity and inclusion.

2.      William Davidson – Born in Jamaica to a Scottish father, William Davidson became a revolutionary, fighting for justice and equality. His involvement in the Cato Street Conspiracy speaks to the early presence of Black political activism connected to Scotland.

3.      Sir Geoff Palmer – Scotland’s first Black professor, Sir Geoff Palmer, has contributed not only to brewing science but also to raising awareness of Scotland’s role in the transatlantic slave trade. He remains a vital advocate for racial justice.

4.      Jackie Kay – An award-winning poet and former Makar (Scotland’s national poet), Jackie Kay’s writing powerfully explores themes of identity, race, and belonging, offering us a window into the rich, multicultural tapestry of modern Scotland.

5.      Graham Campbell – The first Black councillor elected to Glasgow City Council, Graham Campbell has been a vocal advocate for racial equality, social justice, and the rights of marginalised communities. His leadership continues to inspire positive change within Scotland’s political landscape.

6.      Ethel Moorhead and Princess Sophia Duleep Singh – Ethel Moorhead, a Scottish suffragette, worked alongside Princess Sophia Duleep Singh, an Indian feminist and suffragist. Their collective efforts in the women's suffrage movement highlight the intersection of race and gender in the fight for equality.

7.      Andrew Watson – The first Black international footballer, Andrew Watson captained the Scottish national team in the 1880s. His remarkable achievements on the pitch and his pioneering role in the sport challenge the narratives of race in football history, leaving a lasting legacy in both Scottish and global football.

8.      Saroj Lal – A pioneering educator and activist, Saroj Lal was the first Asian woman in Scotland to be appointed Justice of the Peace. She worked tirelessly for equality, particularly for ethnic minority women, and her legacy continues to inspire efforts toward inclusion and diversity in Scottish society

We light a candle in their honour, giving thanks for what they have given to their community and our nation.  And we remember that there are many others besides those whom we have named.  If you feel moved, please speak aloud the names of individuals you would like to honour in your own hearts.

We now turn to our second theme: Hope. Hope calls us to believe in a better world, to work for justice, and to trust that peace is possible. We will hear words of hope from different faith traditions, each offering a unique vision of a world where love and justice prevail.

Christian Reading (Galatians 3:26-29):
“So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptised into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

Reflection:
As Christians, we are reminded that in Christ, all distinctions that divide us fall away. We are all equal and deeply valued in God’s eyes. This is a call to hope for a world where there are no barriers of race, class, or gender, and where justice flows like a river.

Buddhist Reading (Dhammapada 223):
“Conquer anger by love; conquer evil by good; conquer the stingy by giving; conquer the liar by truth.”

Reflection:
The Buddha teaches that hope is found in our actions—by choosing love over anger, truth over falsehood. This reminds us that even in the face of oppression and hatred, we can always choose the path of hope, paving the way for peace.

Muslim Reading (Surah Al-Hujurat 49:13):
“O humanity! Indeed, We created you from a male and a female, and made you into peoples and tribes so that you may get to know one another. Surely the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous among you. 

Reflection:
In Islam, hope is rooted in the idea of unity within diversity. Allah created us as different peoples and tribes so that we may learn from each other, not to divide, but to build a just and peaceful community.

Sikh Reading (Sri Guru Granth Sahib, Ang 349):

"Recognize the Lord's Light within all, and do not consider social class or status; there are no classes or castes in the world hereafter."

Reflection:

Sikhism teaches that unity is found when we recognise the divine light in every individual. By seeing God within all, we transcend divisions and work together towards a just and equal society, honouring the dignity of all people.

Hindu Reading (Bhagavad Gita 9:29):
“I am the same to all beings; there is none hateful or dear to me. But those who worship me with devotion, they are in me, and I am in them.”

Reflection:
In Hinduism, God’s love and presence are universal. This gives us hope that in our shared devotion to justice and righteousness, we find unity and divine support in overcoming the divisions that plague our world.

Jewish Reading (Isaiah 58:6-7):
“Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?”

Reflection:
The Prophet Isaiah reminds us that hope is not passive. It is found in the pursuit of justice. This gives us hope that through our actions, we can transform the world for the better.

We light a candle of hope, symbolising our shared commitment to justice, unity, and peace across all our differences. May the light of hope guide our hearts and our hands as we work together for a better, more just world.

We now offer prayers for healing and justice, asking for strength to confront racism and for hope in a better world.

We pray for all those who have suffered from the cruelty of racism, and for those whose lives have been shaped by the injustices of the past and the present. May they find healing and restoration.
(Pause)

In our lives and in the world
Response: "We seek justice and peace."

We remember the ongoing challenges faced by Black communities in Scotland and across the world. May we work together to dismantle systems of oppression, so that all people may flourish.
(Pause)

In our lives and in the world
Response: "We seek justice and peace."

We pray for those whose contributions and stories have been erased or overlooked in the telling of our shared history. May their lives be honoured, and their legacies restored.
(Pause)

In our lives and in the world
Response: "We seek justice and peace."

We give thanks for the diversity of our communities, and for the faith traditions that call us to love our neighbour and to seek the common good. May we continue to stand together in solidarity and hope.
(Pause)

In our lives and in the world
Response: "We seek justice and peace."

We light a candle of healing, a symbol of our desire to mend what is broken in ourselves and in our world. And in a moment of silence, may we hold space for all who suffer and all who strive for a more just and peaceful future.

As we draw this vigil to a close, it feels fitting to end with a blessing that reflects the spirit of peace and unity we've shared today. Today is also the Feast day of St Francis of Assisi in the Christian tradition, a figure known for his deep commitment to peace, humility, and care for all creation. In honour of him, I will say the Prayer of St Francis, asking that we, too, may become instruments of peace in the world:

Lord, make us instruments of peace.
Where there is hatred, may we bring love.
Where there is offence, pardon.
Where there is discord, union.
Where there is error, truth.
Where there is doubt, faith.
Where there is despair, hope.
Where there is darkness, light.
Where there is sadness, joy.
Divine Father/Mother, grant that we may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love,
for it is in giving that we receive,
it is in self-forgetting that we find,
it is in forgiving that we are forgiven,
it is in dying that we awaken to eternal life.