Peace Prayers for Mumbai
‘Bolton Faiths Stood Together To Condemn The Bombings In Mumbai’

On 30th November 2008, Bolton Interfaith Council organised a Peace Prayer to remember the innocent victims of the bombings in Mumbai earlier that week.

The Shree Swaminarayan Mandir on Deane Road was the venue where approximately 60 people from all faiths came together to show the harmony and solidarity of the people of Bolton. Representatives from the three faith groups Bolton Hindu Forum, Christian Community Cohesion and Bolton Council of Mosques where also present.

The prayers were opened by a joint reciting of Sanskrit verses by Kamleshbhai Bhatt and Ravibhai Pandya, both priests at the Veda Mandir and Shree Swaminarayan Mandir respectively. Following this short service peace lights (divas) were lit by people from all faiths in memory of the people who had lost their lives in Mumbai.

Representatives from the three major faiths led by the Vicar of Bolton read out their own prayers and religious passages to collectively highlight that the mindless atrocities in Mumbai were condemned by people of all faiths and that the people of Bolton were particularly united in their condemnation.

The service ended with a two minute silence followed by an opportunity for people to mingle and also view the highly artistic and tranquil worship area in the Temple on the floor above.