The first ever multi-faith service at Westminster Abbey, central London, was being held Wednesday, ahead of the anniversary of the July 7 London transport bombings, it was announced here. Business leaders, MPs and diplomats are among those who have been invited to the event, which features participation from nine major religions. The service was the brainchild of the first Muslim High Sheriff (honorary title) of Greater London, Dr Khalid Hameed.Dr Hameed said in a statement "I believe in the goodness of all religions; I also believe we are now a multi-cultural society here in this country and we have to live within the UK at peace with each other. We saw what happened last year, the horrible episode on July 7 when those who were not outsiders, but British-grown people, who perpetrated that crime and therefore I said to myself that this year ... let us do a multi-faith observance service", the statement added. He said the event would send out a message in London and beyond that "we will not be intimidated by terrorists, we will not be intimidated by radicals. We intend to live life together practising whatever faiths we wish to in harmony and at peace with each other".
The date was chosen, Dr Hameed said, as it was close to the July 7 anniversary and a reminder "of that horrible day in the life of London", but would not compete with commemorative events. Among faiths taking part in the service will be Sikhs, Hindus, Muslims, as well as Christians, Jews and Jains.