The Lord Mayor’s Annual Civic Service has been taking place for hundreds of years at the Lord Mayors Chapel in College Green, Bristol.
The Chapel itself is around 800 years old. In order to reflect the faith of the current Lord Mayor of Bristol, (Councillor Faruk Choudhury), this year it was decided to include a contribution from the Muslim community.
The ceremony took place on Sunday 23rd March 2014 and we felt privileged to have been asked by the Lord Mayor and the Lord Mayors Chapel to make that contribution.
Our very own Rizwan Ahmed (BMCS staff and one of Muslim Chaplains at Bristol University Mutifaith Chaplaincy) was asked to deliver a sermon about the Blessings of Allah.
To tie in with the blessings of Allah theme Adriece Mahmood from Qur’an Academy Bristol recited from Surah Ar Rahman (Chapter 55 of the Qur’an) which speaks about the Blessing of Allah.
http://quran.com/55 (click here to read this chapter on line)
They both made history as Rizwan was the first Muslim in the 800 year history of the Chapel to deliver a sermon to a congregation of largely Christians and others.
Adriece was the first Muslim to recite the Qur’an in the Chapel.
The feedback from both contributions was fantastic and people really enjoyed the sermon and the recitation of the Qur’an.
To read the the notes from the sermon please click here> SERMON:
A thank you also to the Lord Mayor Faruk Choudhury
for inviting us to make a historical contribution to the proceedings.
FROM LEFT: Mr. Dennis Knights, Adriece Mahmood,
Rizwan Ahmed, The Reverend Prebendary Harold Clarke
Rizwan Ahmed (BMCS staff and one of Muslim Chaplains at Bristol University Mutifaith Chaplaincy) delivering sermon about the Blessings of Allah.
Adriece Mahmood (from Qur’an Academy Bristol) recited the first 21 verses from Surah Rahman in Arabic followed by the English translation.
Current Lord Mayor – Faruk Choudhury being lead out of proceedings at end of ceremony.