Archbishop Longley visits Birmingham Central Mosque

Archbishop Longley with Dr Mohammad Naseem (left) & Abdul Rashid

Archbishop Bernard Longley made his first visit to Birmingham Central Mosque in Highgate during Friday prayers on 1 July.

The Archbishop of Birmingham was accompanied by Fr Jeremy Howard, a member of the Archdiocese Commission for Inter-Religious Dialogue, and Mr Peter Jennings, his Press Secretary, during the visit that included lunch.

At the end of the visit, lasting well over two hours, Archbishop Longley was presented with a copy of the Koran by Dr Mohammad Naseem, the long-time Chairman of Birmingham Central Mosque.

Archbishop Longley presented Dr Naseem with a copy of the Official Record of the visit by Pope Benedict XVI - "Benedict XVI And Blessed John Henry Newman, The State Visit, September 201, The Official Record".

Afterwards, Archbishop Longley said: "I was very grateful for the opportunity to visit Birmingham Central Mosque during Friday prayers. I hope that my visit will be a small contribution to the building and maintaining of bridges between the Catholic Church and the other faith communities of Birmingham."

The Archbishop of Birmingham said: "On the day of my visit some 4000 people were in the mosque at prayer and it was impressive to reflect that so many Birmingham citizens were leaving their daily occupations and activities on this and every Friday to pray together.

"I was most grateful to be able to share lunch at the mosque with the members of its Governing Council and its Officers and to exchange views on the life of the city and the important place of faith in public affairs."

Archbishop Bernard Longley added: "I was pleased to present a copy of the Official Record of Pope Benedict's visit to the UK last year, a visit that did so much to foster inter-religious dialogue for the common good."

As soon as he arrived in the Archdiocese of Birmingham during December 2009 Archbishop Longley was welcomed to the city by Dr Mohammad Naseem, Chairman, and Dr Abdul Rashid, Treasurer, who represent the Central Mosque on the Birmingham Faith Leaders Group. They readily invited him to visit the Central Mosque at the earliest opportunity.