Archbishop Bernard Longley was recently a guest at the Central Mosque in Birmingham.

He was invited by Imam Mohammad Asad several months ago to visit and attend private prayers.

Archbishop Bernard has visited the Central Mosque on several occasions and the Birmingham Faith Leaders Group (BFLG), of which His Grace is a member, have also met there on occasions.

During his visit on Friday 19 January the Archbishop met with the Committee of the Mosque before Friday prayers and was shown the plans for the enlargement of the Mosque.  After Friday prayers he joined the Chairman of the Mosque, Mr Muhammad Afzal, and Imam Mohammad Asad for lunch.

His Grace attended Friday prayers in the prayer hall itself, seated next to Mr Afzal, and prayed quietly for peace in the world.

While he was there the Archbishop met another visiting interfaith group which included several members of the Columban Missionaries. 

As part of interfaith relations in the city the leaders of the Mosque are invited to the annual Civic Mass at St Chad’s Cathedral, and have also visited the cathedral separately.