![]() ![]() ![]() They quickly replaced it with the replica of a temple. Yet on the other hand, some years ago, when the Hindu right-wing government took controls of the reins of power in Gujarat, one of their first decisions was to ensure that this replica of the stone trellis was no longer used as a symbol of Gujarat and of Ahmedabad. ![]() A delightful experience: a marvel, simply magnificent and without parallel! A unique tapestry, inter-woven with multi-colour hues as the rays of the sun and the moon pierce the gaps of the window. The idea and the reality of India: very different but deeply united. It symbolized and represented all that India meant and stood for: diverse cultures, faiths, languages, traditions, peoples everything which indeed constituted a great civilization. For years, this motif was the symbol of Ahmedabad and, in fact, of Gujarat. The 20th-century Indologist and art historian Vincent Arthur Smith described these jalis as the “most artistic stone lattice-work to be found anywhere in the world.” One of the windows depicts the ‘tree of life’ with delicate intertwining of the branches of a tree. The distinguishing features of this mosque are the ten intricately carved stone windows(jalis), apparently done by a master stone craftsman from Abyssinia. The most exquisite craftsmanship in stone carving can be seen in this mosque which was built around 1572. One cannot help but draw a parallel with another ‘tree of life’! In the very heart of the city of Ahmedabad stands the Sidi Saiyed Mosque named after its builder. According to many people, the secret is to be found in its roots, which extend for dozens of meters beneath the ground, drawing from subterranean deposits of water.”įor him then, one has to embark on that fraternal journey for sustainable peace! It seems impossible that a tree of this age has been able to live and flourish in these conditions. The tree itself is a majestic acacia that has survived for centuries in a desert area with very little rainfall. “ I would like to take it as my inspiration for sharing a few thoughts with you. ![]() In preparing for my visit, I learned about one outstanding 'emblem of vitality' in this country, which is the ‘Tree of Life' (Shajarat-al-Hayat). “Here, where the waters of the sea surround the sands of the desert, and imposing skyscrapers rise beside traditional Oriental markets, very different realities come together: ancient and modern converge tradition and progress mix and above all, people from various backgrounds create a distinctive mosaic of life. Using the time-tested symbol of Bahrain’s ‘tree of life’ as a metaphor, Pope Francis struck a chord with the august audience. Pope Francis, however, kept his best for the pathbreaking address he delivered to a gathering of the Bahraini Royalty, Government authorities, the Diplomatic Corps, religious and civil authorities and other eminent citizens. The words of Pope Francis are certainly music to the Bahraini Shiite dissidents, who are harassed and detained, subject to torture and sham trials some of them have been stripped of their citizenship or sentenced to death for their political activities. November 3, 2022, was a special day indeed! On that day, Pope Francis began a four-days historic visit to the Kingdom of Bahrain, where he was given an exceptionally warm welcome! From the time he arrived in Bahrain, he set the tone of his entire visit, by asking the Government of Bahrain to guarantee human rights to all and to abolish the death penalty!īahrain is ruled by a Sunni monarchy which has been accused of discriminating against the country's Shiite majority. ![]()
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