Leaders of Scotland's Christian and Islamic faiths held a historic meeting yesterday to urge unity at a time of "great difficulty" between the two communities.

The Rt Rev Alan McDonald, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, met Muslim leaders at the Glasgow Central Mosque - the first official visit by a Kirk moderator.

He told Habib-ur-Rahman, the President of the Mosque and the Imam, of his desire to unite peoples from the two faiths and overcome "those who seek to divide us".

The visit comes against a backdrop of increasing tensions between white and Asian youths in Glasgow's south side and between Muslim and Christian communities in the UK and international arena.

Mr McDonald said: "This is an important occasion - a chance to emphasise the things we have in common. We all believe in the same God and it is important we remember that.

"In a world of increasing religious tension, where people are trying to divide us, what we have in common is our belief."

After being given a tour of the mosque, the Moderator was presented with a gift, a framed collage of mosques, temples and Glasgow landmarks.

Dr Muhammad Kauser, general secretary of the mosque, urged the Moderator to make the visit a regular fixture in the Kirk's calendar.

"In times when people who do not believe in any-body are getting stronger and stronger, pushing their agenda, we should be uniting.

"We must respect and support each other to try to propagate peaceful living for everybody."