The annual initiative, now in its fourth year, will have over 200 mosques across the UK opening their doors on Sunday to welcome people under the theme ‘Open Doors, Open Mosques, Open Communities’.
The aim of the day, which is also being backed by Derby Cathedral, is to tackle negative stereotypes and Islamophobia.
Sub-dean, Elizabeth Thomson tells Premier they hope it will strengthen community ties.
“Friendship with people of different faiths is a good thing because friendship is a good thing.
“I’m stating it as simply as that because it is as simple as that. Friendship is a good thing, peace is a good thing, love is a good thing.”
A YouGov Poll commissioned by the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) found that almost 70 per cent of Britons hadn’t seen the inside of another faith’s place of worship, and almost 90 per cent hadn’t been inside a mosque, in recent years.
Rev Dr Toby Howarth, Bishop of Bradford, said he would be encouraging local clergy and congregation members to visit a mosque on the Sabbath day.
“Crossing the threshold of a different place of worship can be an important step in learning about and getting to know our neighbours,” he said.
“As a bishop and as a trustee of the Christian Muslim Forum, I very much welcome the Visit My Mosque Day initiative. I plan to visit mosques in Bradford on 18th February with…
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