VOICES calling for an end to war grew louder in the district this week, reinforcing St Albans MP Kerry Pollard's stand for peace in Parliament.

Members of the Muslim community joined protesters for the first time at a vigil outside St Albans City Station on Thursday, November 1.

Secretary of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) in St Albans Laurie Gibson said: "There were over 50 people - the largest turnout so far.

"We were pleased to welcome some members of the Muslim community - a very brave thing for them to do. As usual, there was no hostility."

In light of growing unrest, the group has decided to hold a vigil every Thursday night outside the station.

Muslims at Hatfield Road Mosque are praying for an end to the bombing of Afghanistan.

One member, Mr Yaseen, said: "I'm against the war because lots of innocent people are suffering, as in any war in the world.

"When people start fighting, the most people who suffer are innocent, particularly children.

"At the mosque, we are praying for these innocent people."

Mr Pollard has also spoken out against the Government's military campaign, voting alongside 16 other MPs, including ten fellow Labour backbenchers on Wednesday, October 31, in a proceedural motion to continue a debate discussing the conflict in Afghanistan in the House of Commons.

Following the vote Mr Pollard said that he felt "the effectiveness and efficacy" of the bombing had increasingly been called into question.

He said: "My perspective is that winter is coming on and soon we wont to be able to get food aid into the mountainous areas of Afghanistan and religious festival of Ramadan is starting soon and on these two counts alone we should stop the bombing."

He also welcomed increasing protests in the district, especially from the Muslim community.

He said: "I went to the vigil outside the civic centre last month and went up with one of the Mullahs to light a candle - I'm a great peace preacher there is a growing body of us who believe it should stop."

However, Harpenden MP Peter Lilley declared his support for the so-called war on terrorism.

He said: "I believe it is a regrettable necessity. It must be done with all possible care to minimise civilian casualties.

"Those who criticise it do not seem to be able to offer a viable alternative solution.

"I would like to see the Taliban replaced by a broadly based government, which brings peace and prosperity to the people of Afghanistan."

A vigil will be held outside the city station from 6.30pm to 7pm on Thursday, November 8, and from 7.30pm to 8pm on Thursday, November 15.

Branches of the CND from across the country are joining together to stage a silent vigil in Whitehall, London, from 2.30pm to 4pm on Saturday, November 10.

The Anti-War Coalition is inviting people to attend a Stop the War march starting from Hyde Park in London at 12pm on Sunday, November 18.

Meanwhile, CND members each contributed a sentence on their view of the war for a Voices of Peace letter to be sent to Mr Pollard and the Prime Minister.

November 6, 2001 19:23

Clair Weaver