This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:
Faiths come together as play shines a light on links in religions
An audience of different faiths enjoyed a play highlighting the similarities between two religions.
The performance of The Christian Martyr of Karbala, which details the sacrifice of Wahab, was the latest event arranged by leaders of the Masjid Al Husayn mosque in North Evington, Leicester, to bring city communities together. The play, followed by talks about religion in Leicester, took place at Beaumont Leys School hall.
The events organised by Masjid Al Husayn are free and attended by religious leaders, city councillors and members of the public.
Organiser Zaheer Ali said: "It was a great event and the guests enjoyed the theatrical performance and after that we had some talks about the importance of inter-faith relations.
"We had speakers including two Christians and a Muslim and they spoke about the story and the similarities between the faiths."
Previous events arranged by the Masjid Al Husayn mosque have centred on figures such as Abraham and Jesus, who both play an important role in Christianity and Islam.
Wahab was a Christian who was with Iman Hussain, grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, when they were killed with about 70 others in the massacre at Karbala, in modern day Iraq, more than 1,300 years ago.
Faiths focus on their ties
A Muslim group is holding an inter-faith afternoon focusing on similarities in Islam, Christianity and Hinduism.
The Momentous Sacrifice of Hussain, son of Fatema and Jesus, son of Mary, was due to be run today by Shias from Masjid Al Husayn community mosque, in North Evington, Leicester, at Beaumont Leys School hall, off Anstey Lane, from 3pm to 5.30pm.
A spokesman said: "This event is open to people all ages, to gents and ladies, with no entrance fee and with the sole purpose of community cohesion and mutual understanding."
The afternoon was to include music, theatrical performances, films and dinner.
