Faith And The Arts was organised by Harrow Inter Faith Council (HIFC), which promotes cross-religion harmony and understanding, at the Zoroastrian Centre in Alexandra Avenue, South Harrow, on Monday evening, where faith groups were each invited to present an act.
Pat Stevens, secretary of HIFC, said: “It was very culturally rich. I’m sure everybody learned a great deal from it. It was all a very professional standard and there were explanations given as to what each performance meant and what its history and tradition was.”
The Bahá’í representatives performed chanting, while Buddhism performers put on a song and Kandyan dance.
Handbell ringers from St Mary’s Church in Harrow on the Hill represented Christianity and Hindu worshippers showed the audience a traditional dance based on Diwali.
Rabbi Kathleen De Magtige-Middleton , minister of Middlesex New Synagogue in Bessborough Road, Harrow, sang a Jewish song accompanied on guitar by David Martin, and followers of Jainism performed a devotional song.
Three young Muslims, who are pupils of the madrassa at Harrow Central Mosque in Station Road read poetry, while Sikhism was represented by a song, music and a slide presentation. Zoroastrian believers gave a talk on art in Zoroastrianism that was illustrated by a slideshow.
Marianne Locke, Harrow Council’s divisional director of community and culture, gave a speech and the evening ended with a song called Celebrating Diversity, written for children by HIFC chairwoman, Punitha Perinparaja.
Ms Stevens said: “We are very pleased that all the faiths came together in their presentations, each unique in their approach and their artistry and yet there seems to be a common message of goodwill to everyone and people coming together to express their faith through the arts.”
