He has written to religious leaders urging them to debate how the parliament should accommodate daily prayers and worship to reflect all religions in Scotland.

At Westminster each day, prayers are the responsibility of the Church of England and are read by the Speaker's Chaplain, usually the incumbent of St Margaret's, the House of Commons' church.

The consultative steering group for the Scottish Parliament - due to begin in Edinburgh next July - has recommended a multi-faith approach, but says it should be for the parliament to decide for itself.

Common approach

But Mr Salmond said Scotland's religious communities should come together and discuss the issue in advance.

He said: "It should not be for politicians to interfere in spiritual matters and I believe it would be better for or religious leaders to suggest a common approach.

"Clearly the ideal act of worship at the opening of each session would be one that taken over a period, speaks to all Scots at some stage or another."

Glasgow council has a multi-faith approach, which includes the Church of Scotland, the Roman Catholic Church and the local Muslim community.

Mr Salmond has written to the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, Roman Catholic Cardinal Thomas Winning, the Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church, senior figures in the Free Presbyterian and the Associated Presbyterian churches, and the leaders of the Jewish, Muslim, Methodist, Hindu and Sikh communities.