Harrow's Interfaith Council leads prayer vigil for Mumbai

Harrow's Interfaith Council has led a multi-faith prayer vigil for the victims in Mumbai at Harrow Civic Centre.

A two-minute silence was held in the main council chamber as representatives of nine different religions gathered to pay their respects to those killed by terrorist attacks in India. At least 170 people were killed after terrorists attacked the Taj Mahal and Oberoi-Trident hotels in Mumbai and other locations last month.

Mary Hale, chairman of the Harrow Interfaith Council, who chaired the vigil said: "The fact that the nine faiths are able to work together is a visible sign of the good relationships of the faiths in Harrow".

The mayor's chaplain, Rev Tony Rablen, delivered the opening prayer.

Those offering faith prayers at the event were: Martha Besser (Bahai); Rev David Tuck (Christian); Bharat Maharaj (Hindu); Dr Vinod Kapashi (Jain); Arik Yacobi (Jewish); Imam Mohammed Akram (Muslim); Paramjit Singh-Kohli (Sikh); Phiroza Gan (Zoroastrian) and Mary Hale (Buddhist).

More than 80 people attended the event, including the mayor and mayoress Councillors John and Joyce Nickolay, local faith leaders, community group representatives and a cross-party group of councillors of whom Councillors Anjana Patel, Paul Scott, Navin Shah and Bill Stephenson made speeches.