COMMUNITY figures from different faith groups and organisations gathered for a peace symposium last weekend.

The 12th annual Slough and Burnham Peace Symposium was held on Saturday at Burnham Park Academy in Opendale Road, with more than 250 people attending for the event which was themed on 'United Against Extremism'.

Guests from the Army, the Royal Air Force, the Household Cavalry, Thames Valley Police as well as different faith groups across the area all spoke and joined together to unite for peace.

The event was organised by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, and its president Atiq Ahmad Bhatti said: “We have been honoured to have so many high calibre guests who have attended the Symposium and spoken on the theme in hand, which is of paramount importance with the current climate that we are living in.

"One of the reasons for the Symposium is to dispel the misconception that religion is the cause of the current widespread extremism that we are witnessing in the world. All religions in their pure form teach only peace and love, and indeed this is true with Islam – which literally means peace.

"We have been fortunate that this year members from the Armed Forces, The Royal Air Force and the Royal British Legion have joined us and come together and with one incredible voice have shown that we are all United Against Extremism.”

Slough Observer: