Muslim leader on visit to the Fens emphasises value of building bridges between communities

A LEADING figure from the Muslim community spoke about the importance of building bridges between communities when he visited Wisbech Grammar School. Mr Rashid Laher, who is vice-chair of the Kingston mosque which attracts 1500 followers to its midday pra

A LEADING figure from the Muslim community spoke about the importance of building bridges between communities when he visited Wisbech Grammar School.

Mr Rashid Laher, who is vice-chair of the Kingston mosque which attracts 1500 followers to its midday prayers on Fridays, stressed the importance of creating partnerships.

The former major in the Royal Army Medical Corps, who was born in India and then educated in Africa, recalled the delicate nature of the work he was involved in as a warrant officer in the divided community of Northern Ireland when his role was to liaise with hospitals and to look after casualties and their next of kin.

He explained that is harder to reconcile separate factions within particular faith groups than it is to bring together people of different faiths.

He said: "We have all a duty of repairing relationships, building bridges and winning hearts and minds. We have to build relationships with our neighbours.