Hawzah News Agency (Canterbury, New Zealand) – Members of Canterbury Mosque made an impromptu 'solidarity' visit to Canterbury Cathedral yesterday to lay flowers in memory of the victims of the Sri Lanka terrorist attack.
More than 250 people were killed in suicide bombings by extremists who targeted Christian worshippers in churches and hotel guests on Easter Sunday.
The group, led by Imam Ihsan Khan, arrived during the Eucharist service which the Dean of Canterbury Cathedral, the Very Rev Robert Willis interrupted to accept the goodwill gesture.
He told the congregation “Last week on Easter Day when the Archbishop was preaching, he added words of commiseration, and shock and sadness at the situation which was even then unfolding in Sri Lanka.
“It’s only a few weeks before that we were praying for the Islamic community in Christchurch, New Zealand, and we have been given so many pictures of the fragility and vulnerability of holy places.
“What’s about to happen is as much a surprise to me this morning as it will be to you, but it’s a lovely thing.
He read a note from the visitors which said: 'On behalf of the Muslim community in Canterbury and Canterbury Mosque, we lay flowers in respect of our Christian brothers and sisters who lost their lives in Sri Lanka. We pray for the victims and their loved ones. Our condolences, Canterbury Mosque.’
The Dean then asked the congregation to stand and applaud as he welcomed Imam Khan and mosque members into the Quire to place the flowers at the altar to commemorate those killed.
He then embraced the Imam and invited him to speak.
Imam Khan said: “At times like this I think it’s vital that, as the community in Canterbury, we show the rest of the world that no matter what faith, or of no faith we are, we are still brothers and sisters in humanity and that’s one of the things we need to push forward in Canterbury.
“We can set an example to the rest of the world by what we do in Canterbury because Canterbury is a wonderful place. It’s one of the most diverse places and we get along here just fine.
“Because terror has no faith. It has no religion and it has no colour.”
The Imam then invited the congregation and community to pray together after which they offered each other the Sign of Peace.
Today Mr Khan added: “I wanted to show that we are here for you just as you were there for us - and in Canterbury we can show that we are one big family.”
End.
