Harry Eats With Muslim Community As Prayers Offered For London Terror Victims

Harry Eats With Muslim Community As Prayers Offered For London Terror Victims

Prince Harry has eaten with a Muslim community breaking its Ramadan fast - as words of sympathy were said for the victims of the London terrorist attack.

Before the Prince and others began a simple dish of dates and porridge as the families of the seven people killed by the attackers were remembered.

Harry, who is on a two-day trip to Singapore, was visiting a community centre run by a Muslim-faith led voluntary welfare organisation called Jamiyah Singapore, which provides a range of services from help for recovering addicts to residential homes for young people.

Minutes before the sun went down and the call to prayer was made by an Islamic scholar, Muhammad Rafiuddin Ismail, secretary-general of Jamiyah, said: "Our thoughts go out to the families of the victims of the London terror attack last night."

Harry bowed his head as he began speaking and the secretary general added: "Let peace and harmony prevail in communities all over the world."

In a community hall Harry sat down with members of Singapore's Malay community who are mainly Muslim as the day's Ramadan fasting drew to a close.

A mufti, or Islamic scholar, made his plaintive call to prayer after the words of condolence were said and Harry bowed his head as a mark of respect as the call rang out.

His father, the Prince of Wales, has a keen in interest in Islamic culture, and other faiths, and has also promoted interfaith dialogue between religions.

Those gathered waited until 7.11pm - the moment the sun set - before the mufti completed the ceremony and the traditional iftar began - the evening meal eaten after the daily fast has ended.

The quiet room sprang to life with people talking and Harry reached for a date and popped into his mouth then licked his fingers.

A few minutes later he tucked in to a small bowl of porridge, known as bubur, as he sat at a table with other guests.

Dr Mohd Hasbi Abu Bakar, president of Jamiyah Singapore, said: "Ramadan is a time of reflection, for spending time with family and friends while giving support to those who are less fortunate.

"We are honoured that Prince Harry was able to join us for this iftar and to meet with the young people that are part of the Jamiyah Singapore community."

Earlier Harry was welcomed to the centre by a group of Malay drummers, in local dress, who beat out a rhythm on a traditional instrument called a kompang.

Girls threw flower petals on the ground for the prince to walk on as he made his way to an open-air demonstration of a martial art from the region known as Silat.

Harry, who is visiting Singapore to stage his fundraising Sentebale Polo Cup on Monday, watched as the youngsters demonstrated kicks, hand thrusts and throws.

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