Muslim leader's faith concerns

Muslim leader's faith concerns

Dr Awad is worried people will forget their faith

A Muslim leader in north Wales is concerned people will lose their faith following the outbreak of war with Iraq.

Dr Abdul Kareem Awad, Iman at the Islamic Culture Centre in Rhyl, said he had witnessed a reduction in the number of people praying at the mosque on Friday, the Muslim day of prayer.

"People have lost their faith, there were less people here," he said.

"They feel sad and depressed, they want to know where God is.

I'm very, very worried about my family, my children and myself

Dr Abdul Kareem Awad

"We have three Iraqi people who pray with us and they were crying today, even though they don't like Saddam Hussein."

Mr Awad, a Palestinian who moved to Britain a number of years ago, said the war will make life difficult for people of all religions.

"Saddam Hussein is aggressive but the war is unjustified. This war will create hatred, I agree that in the Middle East there is no democracy but the action will create hatred.

"I don't wish anyone to be killed," he said.

The community leader said he has never been the victim of racial abuse in Rhyl but he is concerned now that people will stereotype all Muslims.

Faith

"I am British but being Muslim, there are people who may be abusive.

"I'm very, very worried about my family, my children and myself.

"It has widened the gap between the faiths," he said.

However, church leaders are trying to bring people of all denominations together and encourage people concerned about war to pray.

Bishops from the Church in Wales have called for prayer and reflection in response to the commencement of hostilities against Iraq.

Christine Lewis is concerned for her son's safety

They have written to all the clerics of the Church in Wales, requesting they ensure church buildings are open for prayer, for the lighting of candles and for vigils for the duration of hostilities.

On Saturday, St Giles Parish Church in Wrexham town centre opened from 1100GMT for people to reflect on the conflict.

Meanwhile, the parents of one of the first soldiers to cross the border from Kuwait to Southern Iraq have asked protesters to get behind British troops.

Lance Corporal Nicholas Sawicz, from Cefn Mawr, near Wrexham, has been with the First Queen Dragoon Guards - a mainly Welsh regiment - for 10 years.

Frontline

His mum Christine said the 27-year-old has served in Ireland and Bosnia but he is quite concerned about military action in Iraq.

"It has been terrifying and worrying - you do not know what is going to happen," she said.

"Just looking at the [television] pictures, you do not know.

"Nick is on the frontline, that is all I know."

Nicholas' stepfather David said he hoped people would stop protesting and get behind the troops.

However, more than 50 people attended a rally in Wrexham on Friday voicing their concerns against war.