PRAYERS have been said by hundreds of Muslims across Worcester as the Bishop’s wife battles cancer.

The city’s three mosques came together this afternon to pray for Dr Denise Inge, the wife of the Bishop of Worcester, the Right Reverend Dr John Inge.

The Central Mosque in Tallow Hill, Al Madina Islamic Centre in Middle Street and Jalalabad Muslim Association in Vincent Road all included Dr Inge in their prayers.

Councillor Jabba Riaz, who made the request to each centre, said: “A lot of faiths seem under attack at the moment and we are keen to build bridges.

“It’s a central part of my role in the community, to bring people together in this way and it’s only right this support is offered.”

Imam Jawad Shad, who led the prayers at the Central Mosque, said: “We get around 600 to 700 people come in to pray here.

“We are all members of one community and this is a sad time for the Bishop and his family, so it was never a problem to show our support.”

As reported in your Worcetser News earlier this week, 50-year-old Dr Inge, was suffering with abdominal difficulties for a month or so before an MRI scan in May revealed the sarcoma.

She is currently at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham battling the cancer, which is inoperable.

A day of prayer will be held at Worcester Cathedral next Friday, July 12.

Bishop John said he was praying for a miracle of healing, and that he is in the midst of a nightmare.

He has decided to cut down on some of his national work connected to the House of Lords and the General Synod so he can be near his wife of 24 years and the couple’s daughters – Eleanor, 14, and Olivia, nine.

A spokesman from the Diocese of Worcester said: “We are very grateful to the Muslim community in Worcester in joining us to pray for Bishop John’s wife, Denise as she continues to battle cancer.

“I know that both the Bishop and Denise were very touched to learn that the prayers were being said in the mosques.”