Churches to fast together for Afghanistan

Senior representatives of the Churches of Britain and Ireland, have welcomed proposals by a number of churches to pray and fast for peace in Afghanistan. Meeting today at All Saints Pastoral Centre, London Colney, the group, representing all the major churches, expressed their concern for all affected by the current situation in Afghanistan. The meeting welcomed the invitation to prayer and fasting issued by the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales, noting their comment: "Aware of the delicacy of Christian-Muslim relations in many countries, we suggest it could in some places be appropriate to carry out these acts during the period of Ramadan, in solidarity with those many Muslims who are themselves fasting prayerfully at this time." They also commended the initiative of Newham Conflict and Change in Forest Gate, East London, for a day of prayer and fasting on Sunday 2 December, which has already been endorsed by a wide variety of faith and community groups.