Calls to scrap Christian prayers at the start of every House of Commons sitting are being opposed – by a new Muslim MP.
Independent MP Shockat Adam sprang to the defence of the daily worship after nine MPs – including three new Labour members said ‘religious worship should not play any part in the formal business of the Commons’.
In a tradition dating back to 1558, each daily session at the Commons begins with a few minutes of private Christian prayer and contemplation.
Last month, the Mail on Sunday revealed how some of the new generation of Labour MPs had told the Commons’ modernisation committee that the practice was out of date.
And last week, nine MPs – led by newly-elected Labour politician Neil Duncan-Jordan – publicly called for the prayers to cease.
In a Commons early day motion, they say that ‘Parliamentary meetings should be conducted in a manner that is equally welcoming to all attendees, irrespective of their personal beliefs’.
The MPs – including three Labour and three Liberal Democrats – say Parliamentary prayers ‘are not compatible with a society that respects the principles of freedom of and from religion’.
And they are asking the modernisation committee to consider ‘alternative arrangements’.
But last night, Leicester South MP Mr Adam – who was himself only elected last July – disagreed.
He told the Mail on Sunday: ‘Prayers in the House of Commons are part of our Christian heritage and Parliament’s traditions.
‘They’re not compulsory, so MPs have a choice whether to attend or not.
‘So I see no reason for them not to continue.’
He added: ‘MPs of other faiths don’t need collective prayers in the Chamber but should remain free to pray in their own private way on the Parliamentary estate.’
Last month, veteran Conservative MP Sir John Hayes hit out at the ‘arrogance’ of ‘new kids in town’ who wanted prayers scrapped, accusing them of a ‘lack of respect’ for Parliament’s Christian traditions.
Sir John, first elected in 1997, said: ‘Whether you believe in the divine or not, it’s important to recognise our country is rooted in the Christian traditions.
‘Prayers are a reminder of that.’