The event, which was seen by about 1,000 people at the iconic building, triggered hundreds of compliments from people around the city on social media.

But it also provoked criticism in some quarters, with some calling it inappropriate and even questioning why a "different God" should be allowed to be worshiped there.

Gloucester Cathedral also took the step of deleting a Facebook post on the call to prayer after the comments got heated.

On another post on the cathedral's Facebook page, commenter Isabel Farmer said: "It's wonderful to be multicultural, but faith is set apart.

"We are never to worship other Gods in a house built for our savior.

"My ancestors built this cathedral and to allow a practicing Muslim pray to another God is insanely naive.

"What did you think it would do? Encourage them to convert?

"This is why England is on the down slide. Culture and Race have nothing to do with the first commandment as God made all races and he cares about souls only.

"Stand firm Christians. Bring people to the faith by telling them the truth. God is the same yesterday, today, forever, so stop with the multicultural appeal and open a history book and a Bible for yourself."

But Russell said the beginning of the event went "extremely well".

"It went better than we expected. It was lovely to see people of all faiths learning and getting together and having a good time," he said.

"The whole point in doing it is to show people human side of everybody and that we all can get on.

"Unfortunately there's an element people follow in every single religion that is intolerant of others, which is a massive shame.

"I believe a lot of the 'anti' people were from America but people from Gloucester were all for it which is interesting."

The exhibition, which runs until Sunday, February 26, was launched with the help of numerous groups.

As well as Buddhist chanting, there was Rasta drumming and story-telling, Hindu dancing, a Jewish Klezmer band as well as a Gospel choir and Pagan rock band -- not to mention a fire eating vicar.

In the next few weeks the public will be able to see 37 large portraits as well as unique video interviews filmed by University of Gloucestershire students around the theme of promoting unity Each subject portrays an individual from a different religion, faith or belief system and includes Zoroastrians, Druids, Witches, Pagans and Baha'i as well as all more well-known religions.

It includes the first portrait of the Bishop of Gloucester, The Right Reverend Rachel Treweek who is the first female Bishop to sit in the House of Lords. The painting has now been sold and is on loan to the exhibition.

Reverend Ruth Fitter, vicar of St Paul and Stephen Church who help arrange the exhibition said she thanked people for the debate caused by the launch.

She also described the Imam's call to prayer as "absolutely beautiful".

"We live in a world that is becoming more and more polarised by people who claim to have the truth. No one has any proof of God - that's what faith is about," she said.

"I happen to believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of God who came to dwell with me and save me from my sins. That doesn't mean I expect others to change their faith or believe wholeheartedly.

"It does mean, however, that I hope they will offer me the same respect as I seek to offer them. And let's face it there is a significant shortage of love between people in our world.

"We need all that we can get.

"My parish is made up of such an eclectic diverse population and is therefore a beautiful image of God's creation in my view. Every single person is made in his image and loved by Him.

"At the end of the day we really make God very small if we think he cares about us fighting the corner for Him. Don't you think He can do that for himself?"

*****

'It's blasphemy!' Almighty row breaks out after historic cathedral allows Muslim imam to read passages from the Koran at the altar
Faith exhibition was launched at Gloucester Cathedral in front of 1,200 people
Imam did the call to prayer at event and other religious leaders gave speeches
Video removed from Facebook after some said should not pray in 'God's house'
But artist Russell Haines says majority of feedback form exhibition is positive

By JAMES DUNN FOR MAILONLINE
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/
January 19, 2017

Gloucester Cathedral has removed a video of a Muslim Imam conducting prayer from the internet after it sparked outrage among some Christians.

The traditional Muslim invocation to worship was performed in front of 1,200 people at the launch of a multi-cultural Faith Exhibition at Gloucester Cathedral.

Imam Hassan of the local Masjid-e-Noor mosque was invited by church leaders to carry it out in the cathedral's 11th century Chapter House.

A traditional call to prayer was conducted by an Imam at Gloucester Cathedral during the launch of Russell Haines' Faith exhibition

But Gloucester Cathedral has been forced to remove the video from their Facebook page after it sparked outrage from Christians

Video shows Imam giving prayer at Gloucester Cathedral

Many worshippers welcomed the 'inclusive' act but some traditionalists questioned why a 'different God' should be worshipped in such an iconic Christian house.

A clip of the call to prayer was initially shared on the cathedral's Facebook page but then taken down as 'inappropriate' as tensions rose.

Artist Russell Haines, who painted the portraits in the exhibition, said some of the comments were 'completely unacceptable'.

'My understanding of Christianity is that it is about tolerance and understanding so to say the things that were said is not very Christian at all,' he told MailOnline.

After the video was posted, user '& drew' wrote on Twitter: 'Blasphemy at Gloucester Cathedral as Muslims abuse another "interfaith" attempt'.

'Sir Anglo' tweeted: 'Very disappointed that we are desecrating our gems. Gloucester Cathedral is magnificent.'

One post on the removed thread by Isabel Farmer said: 'It's wonderful to be multicultural, but faith is set apart. We are never to worship other Gods in a house built for our saviour.

The 'Faith' exhibition by artist Russell Haine runs until February 26 and features 37 portraits of individuals from different belief systems

The portraits are accompanied by videos of interviews with religious leaders from other faiths, including Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam

One person suggested that the video was 'blasphemy' when news of it emerged online

Tommy Fox complained that the Muslim call to prayer says 'there is no god but Allah' but was allowed to be conducted in the Cathedral

Chris Wheeler claims that the prayer is inappropriate because it says that Muhammed is Allah's prophet, which is 'incompatible' with Christianity

But many users who actually went to see it were extremely positive about the exhibition, with Hilly Brady writing 'highly recommended'

'My ancestors built this cathedral and to allow a practising Muslim pray to another God is insanely naive. What did you think it would do? Encourage them to convert?

'This is why England is on the downslide. Culture and Race have nothing to do with the first commandment as God made all races and he cares about souls only.

'Stand firm Christians. Bring people to the faith by telling them the truth.

'God is the same yesterday, today, forever, so stop with the multicultural appeal and open a history book and a Bible for yourself.'

However, there was also a great deal of support for the event, with 1,200 people attending its launch and dozens congratulating the artist.

Mr Haines added: 'The one overriding thing to note is that the vast majority of local people have been very positive about the exhibition and the Imam at the launch.

Over 1,000 people from different Gloucester communities attended the launch to share and learn about each other's spiritual practices and traditions

'It seems like a lot of the negativity online was from people over in America but lots of people who have actually seen the exhibition have understood what it's about.'

Church leaders yesterday defended the call to prayer and said it was designed to promote religious tolerance and understanding.

The Very Revered Stephen Lake, Dean of Gloucester, said: 'The community event on Saturday was to launch an art exhibition, 'Faith'.

'The exhibition portrays a number of individuals' stories and gives a glimpse of who they are as people of faith. The exhibition promotes religious tolerance and understanding.

'Over 1,000 people from different Gloucester communities attended to share and learn about each other's spiritual practices and traditions.'

He added: 'It is important to stress that neither the art exhibition nor the gathering on Saturday afternoon took place in a sacred space but were held in the Cathedral Cloisters and Chapter House.

Mr Haines, pictured working on the exhibition, has spent more than a year preparing the portraits for showing

'Furthermore, the launch was not in the context of worship.

'Whilst the Cathedral's primary purpose is as a place of Christian witness and worship, it is also a place for all people - everyone is welcome, whatever their faith or background.

'We are proud to be holding the exhibition and would encourage everyone to visit to learn more about people of different faiths.'

According to the 2011 Census in Gloucester 63.5 per cent of the population were Christian and 1.0 per cent were Muslim.

The 'Faith' exhibition by artist Russell Haine runs until February 26 and features 37 portraits of individuals from different belief systems.

Organiser Reverend Ruth Fitter said: 'We live in a world that is becoming more and more polarised by people who claim to have the truth. No one has any proof of God - that's what faith is about.

Despite some criticism, dozens who have attended the exhibition in Gloucester Cathedral since it launched at the weekend have praised it

'I happen to believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of God who came to dwell with me and save me from my sins.

'That doesn't mean I expect others to change their faith or believe wholeheartedly.

'It does mean, however, that I hope they will offer me the same respect as I seek to offer them.

'My parish is made up of such an eclectic diverse population and is, therefore, a beautiful image of God's creation in my view.'

The incident is the second Muslim prayer row involving a British cathedral in as many weeks.

Last week a verse from the Koran denying the divinity of Christ was read during a multi-faith event at Glasgow Cathedral.

The Queen's chaplain spoke out against the event and said cathedral should apologise to Christians 'suffering dreadful persecution at the hands of Muslims'.

END