MOSQUES OPEN DOORS: Mosques have opened their doors to visitors to help people understand their faith.
The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) said it hoped the annual Visit My Mosque Day would help show unity in "a tense time for faith communities".
Nick Taylor, chief executive at the Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation For Peace, said he had a "fascinating afternoon" and had "learnt so much" with his visit to the Warrington Islamic Centre. Mr Taylor tweeted he had been been "privileged to be allowed to watch prayers" and to learn about the Islamic faith.
Mr Taylor holds a senior role in the charity which was set up in the names of two young boys were killed in the IRA's bombing of Warrington in March 1993. It aims to try and prevent, resolve and respond to violent conflict.
More than 80 mosques - including several in London, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, Glasgow, Cardiff and Belfast - took part.
The MCB said it was a way for Muslims to reach out and give others an insight in to the day-to-day goings-on of their faith "beyond the hostile headlines".
The open visits come amid a series of Europe-wide demonstrations against the growth of Islam in Europe.
There were scuffles at the launch of the anti-Islamisation group Pegida in Dublin.
HAMPTON COURT SERVICE: History was made this week when a Catholic service was held at Hampton Court Palace for first time in more than 450 years.
The Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Vincent Nichols, who is head of the Catholic Church in England and Wales, celebrated a service of vespers at the former home of King Henry VIII.
This was the first time a service had been conducted according to the Latin Rite of the Catholic Church at the palace's Chapel Royal since the 1550s.
It was organised by the Genesis Foundation, an arts organisation, and the Choral Foundation, which works to preserve and promote the heritage of English Choral Music at the Palace's Chapel Royal.
Before vespers were celebrated, Cardinal Nichols and the Bishop, who is also Dean of Her Majesty's Chapels Royal, held a public discussion under the topic Faith and the Crown, in the palace's Great Hall.
John Studzinski, founder and chairman of the Genesis Foundation, said: "Dialogue between faiths is much needed and welcomed in these turbulent times. We need to recognise that we have more in common than not."
WORLD DAY OF THE SICK: Inequalities in health care are a distressing dimension of our world, the archbishop of Dublin has said.
Archbishop Diarmuid Martin was speaking at the annual World Day of the Sick conference.
He said there was no doubt that health care was one of the areas of greatest concern for most people as they reflected on the future of society.
It was not simply an Irish question, he said.
"The costs, the efficiency and the quality of health care are significant problems the word over," Dr Martin said.
"Inequalities in health care are sadly a distressing dimension of our world. There are the huge inequalities around the world between the wealthy and the poorer countries. In so many parts of the world children die tragically of illnesses which are easily cured. Two-tier health care systems are a feature of every wealthy society.
"?Health care is too important to be considered just as a political question. That is not to underestimate the role of politics and economic planning which, taken overall have failed us in so many dimensions. Extraordinary scientific progress in fighting disease and in medical research has not been paralleled by the science of equity and sharing."
SVP YOUTH DAY: The Society of St Vincent de Paul (SVP) has hosted its annual youth day at Crumlin Road Gaol.
Pupils from post primary schools gathered to exhibit the youth projects that they have been involved in and encourage other young people to be responsible members of society.
The programme involves 13-18 year olds who have undertaken special social projects ranging from the Christmas Hamper Food appeal, befriending/buddy initiative to coordination of a talent show in aid of Syrian refugees.
Numerous youth volunteers this year are ambassadors for the programme from different schools including Our Lady and St Patrick's College in Belfast, St Malachy's College in Belfast, Loreto Grammar School in Omagh and Our Lady of Lourdes School Ballymoney and attended the conference.
The theme of this year's conference was A Different Perspective which aimed to change people's perspectives towards young people and show how these young people are a force of good in today's society.
