Inter-faith prayer service for world peace held in Dublin

An Inter-Faith Service of Prayer for World Peace was held in St Patrick's Cathedral last night, one month after the attacks on the US. It was attended by members of the Christian, Muslim, and Jewish communities in Ireland.

Also present were the US Ambassador, Mr Richard Egan, who read a lesson, the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cllr Michael Mulcahy, and the Papal Nuncio, Most Rev Giuseppe Lazzarotto.

Members of the Diplomatic Corps in attendance included the Ambassadors of Belgium, Egypt, France, Italy, Portugal,and Russia as well as representatives from the Australian, Austrian, British, Brazilian, Chinese, Cyprian, German, Indian, Iranian, Israeli, and Turkish embassies.

The President was represented by her aide-de-camp Cmdt Dermot O'Connor. Religious leaders present included Sheikh Hussein Halawa and Dr Nooh Al Kaddo of the Muslim community in Ireland, the Rev. A. Shulman and Ms Estelle Menton of the Jewish community, and Bishop Jim Moriarty representing the Catholic archdiocese of Dublin.

The welcome and introduction was given by the Dean of St Patrick's, the Rev Robert MacCarthy. He said that "on September the 11th the world was shocked and horrified by the terrorist attacks in the United States. This cathedral was full to overflowing on the National Day of Mourning as hundreds of men and women came to remember those who had lost their lives and pray for peace."

"Now, one month later, many of us are still struggling to come to terms with the enormity of the tragedy. Many of us are fearful for the future. In the last few days we have witnessed the world's capacity for military force. We must also see the same capacity for humanitarian compassion," he said.

"The events of the last few weeks have exposed a Western world largely ignorant of Islam and Judaism. This ignorance must be confronted. Jews, Muslims and Christians are all children of Abraham. Now is the time for the great faiths to foster together a greater understanding of their common values and heritage," he said.