Threat to Dome prayers

THE MILLENNIUM DOME was again at the centre of controversy this week as the Muslim community boycotted the "prayer space" set aside for the major world religions, writes Luke Coppen.
Muslim leaders have refused to allow Islamic worship inside the Dome because it is funded by lottery money.
Instead, Muslims are to use a carpeted prayer hall outside the £758 million structure for daily prayers. However, the prayer space — not to be confused with the Faith Zone — provides no such difficulties for Catholics, who will celebrate Mass there throughout the year 2000.
It also emerged this week that Orthodox Jews could also boycott the Dome as the Dome's kitchens make no provision for the preparation of kosher food.