PEOPLE from across the faith groups in Bradford united to pay their respects to the Duke of Edinburgh at a special service.

Representatives from a host of different faiths, including Muslim, Jewish and Sikh gathered in Bradford’s City Park this afternoon for a socially-distanced service. This was held in honour of Prince Philip, who died aged 99 on Friday.

Tributes were read out during the 25-minute service including a mourning lament in Hebrew from Rudi Leavor, Chair of the Bradford Synagogue.

Other tributes included a reflection on the visit of Prince Philip and The Queen to open the Lakshmi Narayan Temple on Leeds Road in May 2007.

Representatives from Bradford Hindu Council also attended the service. One of its speakers was Ravinder Dharni, vice-chair of the Bradford Hindu Council.

 

Shaan Aziz, head boy at Bradford Grammar School, spoke about his experiences of taking party in the Duke of Edinburgh Awards scheme a young person of faith who has completed the Duke of Edinburgh Award; and tributes were also given by the Council for Mosques and the Council of Sikh Gurdwaras.

The Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Doreen Lee, who lay a wreath during the ceremony, praised the unity of the district.

She said: “Thank you to all of you today who have come and paid your respects to the Duke of Edinburgh.

“We all pass on our condolences to the Queen, her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

“Once again the true spirit of Bradford is here, we’re all together as one big family showing our respects.”

The gathering was organised by the Bishop of Bradford, Rt Revd Dr Toby Howarth, and supported by Bradford Council.

A number of Bradford buildings, including City Hall and the Alhambra Theatre, were lit up in purple last night to commemorate the Duke of Edinburgh.