URI UK Chair, Deepak Naik MBE, was honoured to be invited to represent the Hindu community of the West Midlands at a special vigil at Coventry Cathedral on Wednesday, 18th October 2023
Reflecting the status of Coventry as the City of Reconciliation, representatives of the region’s faith communities had come together at the invitation of the Cathedral’s Dean, the Very Rev’d John Witcombe.
Despite the stormy weather, about 200 people stood together in quiet solidarity with Israeli and Palestinian people who have been bereaved and otherwise impacted by the recent Hamas attack and the subsequent actions by the Israeli armed forces.
The programme included a call for peace, and the Cathedral choir performed a variety of sacred music throughout the hour-long vigil. People from diverse faiths also offered prayers, and members of the public were invited to place lit candles on a globe of the world made from metal salvaged from the London Underground terrorist attacks.
Photo: Deepak Naik offering a Hindu prayer.