Shafaqna English- Ground-breaking ceremony at St Giles’ Cathedral marked Imam Hussain (AS) Day; a national symbol of reconciliation in Scotland.
According to Shafaqna at a time when division feels all too common Scotland’s iconic St Giles’ Cathedral hosted its first-ever candle-lighting ceremony this month, marking a historic milestone in the nation’s annual Imam Hussain (AS) Day commemorations. The event bring together Scotland’s most senior religious, civic, and political leaders in an unprecedented display of interfaith solidarity.
The ceremony at this historic Edinburgh landmark—Scotland’s premier place of worship, comparable in significance to Notre Dame in France or Westminster Abbey in England—signals a significant evolution in how Scotland addresses today’s challenges of social cohesion and interfaith relations.
Responding to Rising Xenophobia
This year’s commemorations are especially timely. Organized under the theme of “reconciliation and social harmony,” the events responded directly to rising xenophobia across the United Kingdom and growing tensions in Christian-Muslim relations. With many communities feeling vulnerable and social divisions deepening, Scottish leaders chose to confront division with a powerful demonstration of unity.
Imam Hussain (AS) Day now firmly established in Scotland’s civic calendar, honours the seventh-century Islamic figure celebrated for his principled stand against tyranny and injustice. Beginning as a religious observance within the Shia Muslim community, it has since evolved into a wider commemoration embraced by Scots of all faiths and none—each drawing inspiration from Imam Hussain’s (AS) enduring principles of peace, dignity, respect, and honour.
As Maulana Seyyed Ali Abass Razawi, Chief Imam of the Scottish Ahlul Bayt (AS) Society, reflected: “People are of two kinds: either your brothers in faith or your equals in humanity.“
An Extraordinary Gathering of Leaders
The St Giles’ Cathedral ceremony bring together a remarkable cross-section of Scotland’s leadership, underscoring the national significance of the occasion:
Government Representatives
– The Rt Hon Douglas Alexander, Secretary of State for Scotland
Senior Clergy
– The Most Rev Mark Strange, Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church
– The Most Rev Leo Cushley, Catholic Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh
– The Principal Clerk of the Church of Scotland
– Scott Rennie, Dean of St Giles’ Cathedral
Civic Leaders
– His Grace the Duke of Hamilton, Patron of the Incorporation of Candlemakers of Edinburgh
– The Duke of Buccleuch
– Edward Green DL (Deputy Lieutenant)
Government Endorsement of Interfaith Cooperation
Secretary of State Douglas Alexander expressed strong support: “It is a real honour to join faith and civic leaders in this demonstration of solidarity. The ceremony illuminated the very best of Scotland—our ability to unite across faiths and backgrounds around shared values of respect, dignity, and community.”
He added: “As division and hatred threaten society, this display of togetherness sends a clear message that Scotland will always choose hope over fear, and bridge-building over barriers. I am confident this spirit will inspire communities across Scotland to work together for our common good.”
Edinburgh City Chambers: Principal Observance
The St Giles’ ceremony complemented the main public event of Imam Hussain (AS) Day, held 29 September at Edinburgh City Chambers. This intimate gathering brought an even broader representation of Scotland’s diverse communities together in a candle-lighting ceremony embodying the theme of reconciliation and harmony.
The Lord Provost of Edinburgh opened by highlighting Imam Hussain’s (AS) legacy as a champion of peace, compassion, and unity—especially his advocacy for oppressed and marginalised groups, a message that strongly resonates in Scotland today.
The Moderator of the Church of Scotland stressed the vital importance of togetherness in a fragmented age, urging communities to resist isolation and embrace mutual respect and shared purpose.
Maulana Razawi emphasised the significance: “At a time when society faces mounting division and fear, this ceremony serves as a powerful reminder that unity, respect, and mutual understanding define our shared humanity. I am humbled to have brought together such distinguished leaders to stand united in building bridges and fostering peace.”
He added, “This gathering is more than symbolism—it is the foundation of a shared vision for reconciliation that could evolve into a future national expression of solidarity.”
Maulana Razawi connected history to present challenges: “Imam Hussain’s (AS) legacy of peace remains a beacon for healing divisions, rebuilding trust, and nurturing compassion in our society.”
A National Demonstration of Solidarity
The City Chambers ceremony’s broad participation showcased the observance’s truly national character. Among the dozens who lit candles were:
Religious Leaders
– Bishop Brian McGee
– The Rt Rev Rosemary Frew
– The Revd Mark Slaney
– Monsignor Jeremy Milne VG, Vicar General (Catholic Archdiocese)
– Revd Lindsey Sanderson
– The Revd Bonnie Evans-Hill
– Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg
– Dr Srihari (Hindu communities)
Government Ministers
– Shirley-Anne Somerville MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice
– Jackson Carlaw MSP
– Stephen Kerr MSP
Civic Authorities and Law Enforcement
– The Lord Provost of Edinburgh
– Lord Lyon King of Arms
– Don Young DL
– Moderator of the High Constables of Edinburgh
– Chief Superintendent David Robertson
– ACC Catriona Paton, Assistant Chief Constable
– Mary Morgan, CEO, NHS Scotland
Community Representatives
– Edward Tsung, Elder of the Scottish Chinese Community
– Seyyed Shahbaz Anwar, Elder of the Shia Community
– Cllr Malik (Aberdeen Shia Community)
– Irfan Ali, Zeeshan Rasool, Joseph Sikora, Narek Bido, Elizabeth Roads
– Dr Claire Armstrong OBE
Each candle represented a personal and institutional pledge to uphold hope, compassion, and unity—foundations of Scotland’s approach to diversity and social harmony.
Scotland’s Model of Interfaith Harmony
Imam Hussain Day exemplifies Scotland’s distinctive method of embracing diversity. Rather than viewing religious and cultural differences as obstacles, Scottish civic society treats them as opportunities for mutual enrichment and understanding.
This commemoration shows how communities can live harmoniously, facing challenges collectively, and resolving inevitable disagreements with respect, dignity, and commitment to shared solutions.
This spirit of coexistence embodies the principle that all people are “either your brothers in faith or your equals in humanity”—transcending mere tolerance to embrace active solidarity.
A Template for National Unity
The candle-lighting ceremonies have grown beyond an annual observance to become Scotland’s primary civic expression of interfaith solidarity and cohesion—a model for how diverse societies can build unity without erasing difference.
Maulana Razawi highlighted Imam Hussain’s mission to “remove fear from people’s hearts during times of trial,” a message that resonates amid today’s rising populism and polarisation. Scotland’s response has been to draw communities closer rather than allow division.
The attendance of senior government officials, religious leaders, civic authorities, and grassroots representatives sends a powerful message: Scotland’s commitment to social harmony is institutional, ongoing, and rooted in shared values.
Looking Ahead
The ground-breaking ceremony at St Giles’ Cathedral and the broader Imam Hussain (AS) Day observances underscore Scotland’s ambition to offer a leading example of interfaith cooperation to the UK and beyond. In a world grappling with questions of identity and belonging, Scotland demonstrates how diversity is a source of strength, not conflict.
As Secretary of State Alexander concluded, the collaborative spirit shown has the power to “inspire communities across Scotland to continue working together for our common good”—a hopeful vision for a fragmented world.
The candle flames lit in Edinburgh’s most historic spaces this month symbolise more than ceremony; they represent Scotland’s active choice of hope over fear, bridges over barriers, and shared humanity over division—values set to guide the nation through future challenges.