THIS week we learned that a supposed row erupted after the Islamic call to prayer was said in Blackburn Cathedral.

The cathedral has since promised to ensure this does not happen again and says it was not aware of this happening until the last minute. So rather than make a big issue at the time they decided that it should go ahead.

Now, some people have been quick to suggest this is something that the cathedral should accept. I disagree. They shouldn’t actually.

I think this was due to bad planning if anything else.

If you are hosting any event it makes sense to look at what is taking place at your venue. The cathedral like a mosque is unlike any other building and there is a need for both the host and those using the venue to use some common sense.

This is not about being accommodating to all faiths – which the cathedral over the years has been. This is about what is acceptable to the cathedral itself and those attending it. We can’t honestly expect there to be one set of standards for one place of worship and another for other places.

I have been to several mosque events where there have been cases where passages from the bible have been read out. But this is a rare occurrence. I actually applaud them for doing it though.

On the whole people don’t mind.

Yet, I have seen many mosques who strictly adhere to their chosen Islamic school of thought. They would not have anything that in any way appeases another section of their own religion never mind another religion.

This has little to do with welcoming people of other faiths into a place of worship. I think many if not all are happy to have anyone come into their buildings and there is a whole load of inter-faith work going on.

Much of this tends not to get the publicity it should. Especially in Blackburn where I have seen mosques, churches and members of the Hindu community open up their festivals and events to the other communities. Maybe if more people got out more they would see this for themselves.

But if I was planning this particular event I would have just said on this occasion let’s leave the call to prayer out.

I do not think the organisers would have made a big issue out of it and neither would have the imam. Problem solved.