Faith leaders hold hands in show of solidarity
Faith leaders held hands and paused for a moment of silence in a show of defiance following the Manchester Arena attack.
The Bishop of Manchester, David Walker, and Imam Irfan Chishti, of Manchester Central Mosque, were among the religious figures who joined crowds of Mancunians to express their unity. The multi-faith vigil in memory of the victims of Monday’s attack took place in St Ann’s Square.
Piles of flowers left in tribute have been moved from Albert Square, where thousands of people gathered on Tuesday night, to the area in front of St Ann’s Church.
The short service was led by Mohammed Shafiq, chief executive of the Ramadhan Foundation, who asked the crowd to raise and hold their hands to “send a positive image” of the city.
“Let’s show solidarity and send a message to the world,” he said.
Mrshafiqsaidhebelieved the “human instinct” of holding hands defied religious labels and divisions.