PRAYERS SAID IN LEICESTER FOR HAITI EARTHQUAKE SURVIVORS

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Prayers said in Leicester for Haiti earthquake survivors

Religious leaders gathered in the city centre to conduct a public prayer for survivors of the earthquake in Haiti.

All of the city's major religions joined in to show support for victims of the humanitarian disaster.

They said it was important to show solidarity at a time of crisis.

Prayers were said outside Leicester Town Hall yesterday lunchtime, after which a collection was held to raise money for the Disaster Emergency Committee's Haiti appeal.

The Bishop of Leicester, the Rt Rev Tim Stevens, read a prayer prepared by the Church of England.

Speaking beforehand, he said: "The world understands the scale of the tragedy that has hit Haiti.

"In recent days it has gone off the headlines. We feel a responsibility to pray for Haiti and keep it in people's minds. The faith communities of Leicester represent a global crossroads – global events always touch us here."

The Lord Mayor of Leicester, Councillor Roger Blackmore, joined religious leaders from the Hindu, Islam, Jewish, Sikh, Buddhist, Bahai and Jain faiths who also led prayers.

They were observed by a small crowd of well-wishers.

Ramanbhai Barber, president of the Shree Sanatan Mandir Hindu temple in Belgrave, Leicester, said: "Prayer is important to give strength to those people in Haiti. By all the faiths joining together we can give more strength and keep raising awareness."

The collective prayer was organised by Leicester Council of Faiths.

Chairwoman Councillor Manjula Sood said: "Leicester people are very generous and have always come together to help in times of suffering.

"This devastating disaster has touched everybody's hearts and when things like this happen our prayers and thoughts go out to those people. It is important that people of all faiths show solidarity."

The quality of the photos on the Mercury's website really does leave a lot to be desired though. They look alright in the paper.

The "First Person" column in in the same edition of the Mercury is entitled "Wrong to blame wrathful God for Haiti earthquake", by Manzoor Moghal, Chair of The Muslim Forum and long-standing member of Leicester Council of Faiths.