RELIGIOUS leaders in Bolton have called for calm in the community following the outbreak of war in Iraq.

Canon Michael Williams and Imam Rashid Musa have said that intergration and co-operation is needed now the conflict is underway.

Muslim leader Imam Musa said: "So far the atmosphere has been calm and over the last week I have noticed the communities coming closer together which is a very good thing.

"There is lots of hope that we can do further work to continue to talk and work together to understand each other's communities so we can trust each other improve relations further. We are praying that every serviceman that has gone into action will come back safely, for the Iraqi people and their relatives, some of whom are here in Bolton and hope that this war does not lead to disharmony either locally, nationally or internationally."

Canon Williams echoed these sentiments saying relations had been strengthened because both the church and the mosque had been against war before it started.

He said: "We have now got to support the war because within the armed forces there are family members of people from Bolton.

"The fact that we as a community can stand shoulder to shoulder is a good thing because it shows we can work together and there is a respect between the two."

He added: "Although some have tried to paint a picture of it being a war between the western and muslim worlds this is not the case." Both leaders have been working hard to reinforce this message by speaking in schools and they will lead prayers on the Town Hall steps next Saturday at 2pm.