A first-of-its-kind interfaith prayer service at sea took place in Muharraq last night.
The service, organised by ‘This Is Bahrain’ in collaboration with St Christopher’s Cathedral, Mission to Seafarers and other religious community groups, is part of The Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf’s three-day ‘synod’ and the celebration of the Diocese’s 50th anniversary.
The synod – a formal gathering of church officials to discuss, deliberate and advise on matters of doctrine, administration and church life – started on Monday evening with a dinner and will end today.
Last night’s service set sail from the Sa’ada Waterfront with more than 100 clergymen from 20 countries, who were welcomed by Mission to Seafarers regional director for Middle East and South Asia Reverend John Attenborough.
The Bishop of Cyprus and the Gulf, The Right Reverend Sean Semple, led the opening and closing prayers. The Islamic prayer was led by an imam from the Bohra community.
Bahrain International Seafarers Society chairman Captain Ali Alghawas and a Hindu community representative offered prayers for fishermen and others who earn their living from the sea.
To give thanks for all that the sea provides, Elis Jones – representing St Christopher’s Cathedral and Awali Church – led a prayer, alongside a Sikh community representative.
The UK Royal Navy chaplain, Rev Newton Ndlovu, and a representative of the Baha’i community led prayers for those who have lost their lives at sea including the Al Dana dhow tragedy that claimed the lives of 58 people in 2006.
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