ONE of the Muslim world's clerics was given a hero's welcome in Preston on Wednesday.
Shaikh Sudays, imam of the mosque at Mecca, where Muslims from across the world make a pilgrimage, appeared in front of around 2,500 followers at the Clarendon Street Mosque, in Avenham, Preston.
The visit marked the priest's first visit to the city.
Highly regarded by Muslims across the world, he is one of two imams, or head priests, in Mecca, and he stopped off in Preston to give a talk to the area's faithful. Worshippers from as far a field as Manchester, eager for a glimpse of the imam, were even stood outside the building for the visit.
Ibby Master, chairman of the Lancashire Council of Mosques, said: "The visit went very well.
"We were very pleased to see the warm welcome given to him by people in Preston.
"He said he would say prayers for the community when he got back to Mecca."
A strong police presence was on hand but the afternoon passed without incident.
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