THE bishop and dean of Worcester have been joined at Evensong by the head of Worcester Mosque.

The Rt Rev Dr John Inge and the Very Rev Peter Atkinson invited Mullah Hafeezud Din, the head imam at Worcester Mosque, who became the first Muslim cleric to visit Worcester Cathedral.

The joining of the faiths at the cathedral marked the beginning of Interfaith Week, which is being celebrated nationally for the first time this year.

Its aims are to strengthen good inter-faith relations at all levels, encourage local faith groups and communities to reach out to each other and build stronger bonds of understanding and co-operation.

Dr Inge said: “Interfaith Week is an excellent new initiative and I am delighted that it seems to have captured the public imagination.

“The different faiths enrich our society immensely and it is good for this to be recognised.

“Relations between the faiths are very warm in Worcester and the meeting between the imam and me is something I hope will be one among many in our developing friendship.

“I will now be visiting the mosque for prayers on Friday.”

Mullah Hafeezud Din, who was appointed head imam at the mosque in Tallow Hill in February, said: “When I went into the cathedral I had a feeling of warmth and I felt very priviliged to be there.

“It was the first time a Muslim cleric had been into the cathedral so it was a very historic moment.

“I was very proud to be representing the Muslim community of Worcester.”