Princess Royal joins faith leaders to light candles for peace and unity

Faith leaders were joined by Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal in Edinburgh today to light candles for peace and reaffirm the vital importance of shared humanity.

Rt Rev Rosie Frew, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, was among those who gathered at St Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh to highlight the enduring virtues of reconciliation, mutual responsibility and social harmony.

The ceremony took place at a time when communities across Scotland are reflecting on how best to nurture cohesion, safeguard one another's dignity and respond constructively to social pressures affecting public life.

Civic society representatives including Edinburgh's Lord Provost Robert Aldridge and Rt Hon Alison Johnstone MSP, Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament, attended as part of a collective expression of unity, care for one's neighbour, and shared stewardship of society and the environment entrusted to future generations.

Mrs Frew said: "On Saturday, I was at a Service of Thanksgiving to mark the 80th anniversary of the inaugural meeting of the United Nations General Assembly in London.

"At a time when our world feels a very angry and unsettled place, it was good to recommit ourselves and our future to the founding vision of the UN in seeking to prevent and resolve conflict, bringing justice, peace and reconciliation to all the peoples of the earth.

"As we gather together to light candles, our hope and prayer is for mutual respect and a commitment to justice, peace and reconciliation in our land and worldwide."

Candles were lit by:-

• The Princess Royal
• Chief Imam Dr Sayed Razawi
• Rt Rev Rosie Frew
• Most Rev Leo Cushley, Catholic Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh
• Most Rev Mark Strange, Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church
• Rabbi Moshe Rubin, Senior Rabbi of Scotland
• Dr Srihari Vallabhajosula, Hindu Leader in Scotland
• Ravinder Kaur Nijjar, Chair Sikhs in Scotland Interreligious Dialogue Committee

The ceremony was convened by Dr Sayed Razawi who said: "At a time when many in our society feel uncertainty and strain, this simple act of lighting candles together affirms something enduring, that dignity, mutual care and responsibility for one another are central to our shared humanity.

"Today is not only symbolic; it is an expression of our collective commitment to reconciliation, safeguarding our communities, and nurturing a society rooted in respect, stewardship, and hope."

Most Rev Leo Cushley said he was glad to stand with faith and civic leaders in a "simple but profound act".

"Lighting a candle together affirms our shared humanity, our responsibility to one another and our determination to choose peace and understanding in challenging times," he added.

"Such gestures remind us that even small acts, undertaken together, can help shape a more hopeful future."

Most Rev Mark Strange said the ceremony represented a "light of hope".

"All around us powerful people are trying to sow division amongst nations and faiths, the world feels a bit less secure every day," he explained.

"Yet here in this small corner of the world the faith communities are willing to come together in friendship and to stand together in prayer.

"Rejoicing in those things we hold in common and committed to offer the light of love to a world that so needs it."

Edward Green, leader of the Edinburgh Jewish Community, said the ceremony was a powerful reminder of "our shared commitment to community cohesion".

"At a time when there is so much that needs us to be together, it is heartwarming to be once again to be with the Chief Imam in this candle lighting uniting Jews and Muslims together with other faith communities," he added.

"Scotland's Jewish and Muslim communities stand together as neighbours working for peace, understanding and collaboration of all faiths."