A city mosque has made a commitment to support the British armed forces, after inviting Army top brass to midday prayers.
Officers visited Central Mosque, in Conduit Street, today to meet mosque leaders and discuss the future signing of an Armed Forces Covenant.
The covenant is an agreement by people in Great Britain to treat members of the armed forces fairly and respect their commitment to defending the country.
Such covenants have been signed in the past by businesses, charities, councils and other organisations, but Central would be the first mosque in the country to do so.
As well as recognising the sacrifice of soldiers, sailors, marines and air force personnel, the covenants are intended to encourage active support for servicemen and women, their families and veterans living and working in Leicestershire and the rest of the country.
Local organisations that have already signed include North West Leicestershire District Council, Rutland County Council and Loughborough University.
No covenant was signed today but the head imam, Maulana Shahid Raza OBE, committed the mosque to working more closely with the armed forces and signing a covenant in the future.
Others at the meeting included Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Parker, the commanding officer of the Loughborough-based 158 Regiment Royal Logistics Corps and Colonel Stuart Williams, the deputy commander of 7 Infantry Brigade, also known as the Desert Rats.
Imam Raza said the commitment was a step that would help integration in the city.
He said: “Many mosques in Leicester are participating in the process of establishing a constructive relationship with the armed forces.
“Leicester Central Mosque is leading this historic process and I strongly support this initiative, as I firmly believe that Islam clearly states that we should serve the country we live in.
“The Muslim community in the UK will certainly benefit from this initiative and the process will definitely provide us with more opportunities of greater integration within the mainstream British society.”
In February this year, defence minister Earl Howe was welcomed to Leicester by different faith groups and visited temples, mosques and schools to build bridges.
Abdul Karim Gheewala, chairman of the city’s Federation of Muslim Organisations, said the rise of extremism made it more important than ever to recognise the shared values and shared efforts of diverse cultures within the city and the world.
He said: “An estimated 800,000 Hindus, 400,000 Muslims and 100,000 Sikhs formed the backbone of the 1.3 million people who volunteered to join the British Indian Army to support the war effort in the First World War and some 2.5 million more served in the Second World War.
“Many gave their lives for the values and freedoms we enjoy today in modern society.
“This awareness is needed, especially when we see the rise of far right groups.
“The armed forces also perform an important role outside conflict situations, such as at times of natural disasters and emergency responses to international situations like the Ebola outbreak in Africa.”
Lt Col Parker said yesterday’s meeting, which was the first armed forces personnel had been inside the mosque, was an important moment.
He said: “It is a sign of the commitment they have chosen to make to the Armed Forces which is part of the fabric of this nation.
“I am sure that going forward we will be able to do a lot of great work together.”