Taking the mantle

United Kingdom | OM International

On Sundays, hundreds of people gather from all over to speak or listen at Speaker’s Corner in Hyde Park, London. Some have been coming for years. There are several topics discussed, but to the team at OM Turning Point, Speaker’s Corner is most commonly known as a place for Muslims and Christians to discuss their beliefs. On a recent Sunday, a group from OM Turning Point went to watch the unfolding scene.

Randy, a youth group leader, jumped into a conversation with a Muslim, Randy noticed other team members gathered around to pray.

As the discussion continued, so did the prayers! Spontaneously, some of the musicians and ballet dancers from the group began singing and dancing. This act of worship attracted a crowd.

Randy said, “[The ballet dancing and singing] drew a policeman, who tried to break it up for busking [performing for voluntary donations].”

As the group continued, other team members engaged the police officer in conversation. “The policeman talked with them, and they told him they were not doing it for money,” he said. “He seemed to forget why he wanted them to stop. So they continued!”

While the ballet dancers and singers continued, a Muslim man from Oman said to Randy, “One thing I know, Muslim youth are taking the mantle and are really engaged these days in the religion. They are passionate. I don’t see that with Christian youth. They are interested in other things.”

Randy wanted to find a teenager in the group to join the conversation but could not find anyone available. Looking around, he saw all of the youth occupied; the men were playing and singing a worship song as the women danced.

Watching the scene, Randy thought to himself, "I think our youth are taking the mantle...right here and right now!"

Credit: OM International
© 2012 OM International