As you travel and land safely, you might mutter to yourself, thank God for that. Some people choose to visit a prayer room before departure or after landing.
Multi-faith buildings are not new. First let's point out that a building which was built for one faith, later sold or taken over and converted for use by another faith is a different matter.
If you tour the East End of London, England, you are likely to see the outside of a former synagogue, which the Hebrew lettering, now used as a mosque.
In Spain, a well known tourist attraction is a huge many-columned mosque which after the departure of the Moors, was converted into use by Christians with a church built in the middle.
In another city, you can see a synagogue which was saved, because it was given a new function as a church. But let's look at new ideas for multi-faith buildings.
USA
Shared City Building in Washington DC
The idea of a multi-faith building had advantages of shared cost and co-operation, and security as it's harder to destroy a building of another faith if your own is alongside. However, I have seen at least two instances where the entire building was shared. In Washington DC a building was shared by a church and a synagogue. Each group kept its religious items separately and brought them out for services. As a visitor I was unaware that the building was shared until we left. The minister swivelled the signboard as he left. It had the synagogue's name on one side and the church's name on the other side. Saturday for the Jews and Sunday for the Christians. Just switch the sign around ready for the others.
Shared buildings have been used in North West London. While a small, new congregation is waiting or their brand new building, or still fund-raising, they hire the hall or whole building of another religion, sometimes one whose congregation is dwindling.
Airports
Another simpler system was used at a couple of airports and a hospital. A prayer room had the sign for three or more faiths was outside. On request you could ask for the cupboard for your religious faith to be opened.
Northwick Park Hospital, London, England
Another system was used in Northwick Park hospital. If I remember rightly, their chapel has some abstract stained glass windows, as well as entry at more than one level, so you could have individuals praying privately at level 3 signposted for one religion, for level 5 for another. Most of the area, except a table with flowers, is invisble to those above and below. The signs indicate the times when your floor is available. You might have to request a key, or get it unlocked, or, visit a sick person daily, you can be told when the minister will be visiting. If you know more about these places or others, or have any idea, please tell us all.
North London Synagogue
In London in Northwood, a church and synagogue are built alongside and often have events to which the other congregation is invited.
At Northwood and Pinner Liberal Synagogue I went to see a synagogue when they has a sukkah, and spent some time talking to the wife of a member of the Christian congregation next door.
In Singapore multi-faith services are regularly held, for both joyful and serious occasions.
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About the Author
Angela Lansbury teacher of English (advanced and English as a Second Language or English as a Foreign Language, French and other languages, aspiring polyglot.
Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author and speaker. Member of many toastmasters speaker training clubs and speaking contest judge.
Angela Lansbury, the author of 20 books including Wedding Speeches & Toasts, and Quick Quotations, has lived in the USA, Spain and Singapore.
She has several blogs and writes daily on at least two of the following:
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