Lincoln Islamic association and methodist church to unite for Good Friday services

The Lincolnshire Methodist Church is inviting people to attend a city centre service and walk to join Muslims after prayer on Good Friday following terrorist attacks in Brussels this week.

Communities are invited by the Lincoln Churches Together initiative to join the leader of Lincolnshire’s Methodists has he greets Muslims leaving Friday prayer.

The Revered Bruce Thompson will lead an open air service at Lincoln Stonebow and the war memorial outside St Benedict’s Church at 12 noon.

He will then lead a procession to the Bandstand Community Centre on Carholme Road, where Muslim residents will be conducting Friday prayers.

In a joint statement, the two churches said they will promote community cohesion and unite against threats linked with “outrageous attacks in Brussels”.

Reverend Bruce Thompson, Chair of the Lincolnshire Methodist Church, said:”For centuries right across Europe Good Friday was a time of great fear for those of a faith other than Christianity, especially Jews, when Christians would come out of services and attack houses, businesses and synagogues.

“Today we realise that the way to peace is through the building of good relations.

“We are threatened by those who would drive us apart, as evidenced in the outrageous attacks in Brussels this past week.

“In Lincoln we are continuing to deepen our understanding of one another and to create a society where all people of good will are respected and valued whatever their faith.’

Chair of the Islamic Association of Lincoln Tanweer Ahmed added: “We will continue to work together to promote community cohesion and love for each other.

“We will welcome people from other faiths or no faith. I am certain that during this difficult time, a very small minority of people will not divide us.

“Christians, Muslims and people with other faiths will stand together at Grandstand community centre on Friday 25 March at around 1.30pm to show love for each other.”

The Islamic Association of Lincoln previously condemned the ISIS attacks in Brussels, which claimed 31 lives and wounded 300 this week.