Prince Charles Opens Bedouin Tent as Site for Interfaith Dialogue in London

May 4, 2006

Source: 24dash.com

http://www.24dash.com/content/news/viewNews.php?navID=7&newsID=5423

On May 4, 2006 24dash.com reported, "The Prince of Wales has unveiled one of London's most unlikely landmarks - a Bedouin tent in the shadow of City skyscrapers. The goat-hair structure stands in the garden of the former St Ethelburga's Church which was destroyed by the IRA Bishopsgate bomb in 1993 and is now a centre for peace and reconciliation. Today's event was the Prince's second visit to the site which he officially opened in 2002. In an intimate address to representatives of nine faiths seated in a circle inside the tent the Prince issued a plea for understanding as different religions attempt to 'explain the nature of mystery'. As well as being attended by guests from two Middle Eastern royal households, today's event received messages of support from international figures including Archbishop Desmond Tutu, former United States President Bill Clinton and U2 front-man Bono. The Bedouin-design tent - specially adapted to keep out the London rain - was originally built in Saudi Arabia and reassembled at its permanent London site. It is to be the setting for interfaith dialogue events with a packed programme which also includes music, poetry and storytelling. After formally opening the tent the Prince addressed leaders who included the Bishop of London, the Rt Reverend Richard Chartres, Chief Rabbi Sir Jonathan Sacks and representatives of the Baha'i, Buddhist, Jain, Zoroastrian, Hindu, Sikh and Muslim faiths."