Aliya Azam (L), Interfaith Co-ordinator at the Khoei Foundation and other faith leaders at St Paul’s Cathedral (Credit: Mustafa Field)
Ahmed J Versi
King Charles III invited leaders of non-Christian faiths `to participate in the coronation. Nine representatives of non-Christian faiths were invited to Westminster Abbey to join in the coronation, as were Peers drawn from Muslim, Hindu, Sikh, and Jewish faiths to present elements of the regal regalia to the new King.
Lord Syed Kamall got a call from Black Rod, who told him that the King was looking to include people of other faiths and one way of doing it was to include peers of other non-Christian faiths in the Coronation and that I had been recommended.
“I thought it was such a historic moment that the King made such a gesture,” said Lord Syed. “It was a huge honour to be asked to take part in the ceremony and a lovely gesture by the King to include Muslims and other faiths in the coronation in order to represent how much more diverse Britain has become since the last coronation in 1953,” he added.
Lord Kamall, representing British Muslims, presented King Charles III with his Armills. The King also invited both Sunni and Shia Muslim religious leaders to take part in the Coronation.Sir Mufti Hamid Patel CBE, representing Sunni Muslims, told The Muslim News that it was “a privilege to represent our Muslim communities at the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla, a momentous event in the life of our great country.
“As a Muslim, I am incredibly proud of our faith and the contribution that hundreds of thousands of Muslims make to the success of our country —through their parenting, work, public service, worship, community endeavours, and volunteering. Our participation in the Coronation service emphasised the incredible value that Muslims and our
Islamic faith bring to the life of our country each, and every day.”
Aliya Jafri Azam, Interfaith Co-ordinator at the Khoei Foundation, who was invited as a representative of the Shia Muslim community, told The Muslim News that at the end of the service in Westminster Abbey, six representatives of the five principal non-Christian faiths in Britain, with the Muslims having both a Sunni, Mufti Sir Hamid Patel, and a Shi’a, Aliya Azam, to speak for them, said in unison: “Your Majesty, as neighbours in faith, we acknowledge the value of public service. We unite with people of all faiths and beliefs in thanksgiving, and in service with you for the common good.”
“This was a fitting conclusion to what was a deeply moving spiritual experience,” she added.
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Coronation of King Charles III, inclusive of non-Christian faiths
