Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery (BMAG) in United Kingdom is launching a new gallery “Faith in Birmingham” on February five; providing unique insight into Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism and Judaism.
BMAG in Birmingham, which claims itself to be a “world class museum”, will explore the “traditions, beliefs and customs in an accessible and welcoming environment” of these faith groups, including some “world-class exhibits” and “historical objects of international importance”. “Over the next two years, Birmingham Museums will work with other faiths to incorporate more voices”, Museum release adds. Museum, expecting a large number of visitors, is putting a “queueing system” in place.
Commending Birmingham Museums for the launch of this new multi-faith gallery; Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, said: We hope that gallery helps promote interfaith harmony and unity, creates a culture of love and peace, encouraging interreligious dialogue and cooperation, and building better relationships among people of diverse beliefs in Birmingham and beyond.
Rajan Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, stressed that thus opening-up the Birmingham residents and surrounding communities to major world religions would make them well-nurtured, well-balanced, and enlightened citizens. It also made a good business sense to know the beliefs of “others” in a global community.
BMAG, a part of Birmingham Museums launched in 1885 and known for its Pre-Raphaelite paintings, has over 40 galleries. Birmingham Museums, owned by Birmingham City Council and governed/managed by registered charity Birmingham Museums Trust, contains around 800,000 objects, displayed/stored in its nine venues, attracting over one million visitors annually. Ellen McAdam is Trust Director and Steve Freer is Trustees Chairman of Birmingham Museums, which held a Rangoli (Hindu artform) Demonstration in November and has a 19-20th century carved wood figure of Kurma, second avatar of Lord Vishnu, in its collections. Raymond Hassall, John Clancy and Mark Rogers are Birmingham’s Lord Mayor, Council Leader and Council Chief Executive respectively.