Calls for peace and a ceasefire in Gaza were made as a total of 111 individuals from varied faiths gathered on Saturday for the 'Prayers for Peace' event held in Oxford.

The convening at the Rose Hill Community Centre, which aimed to unify people of different faiths, saw Mr. Nasir Adam, the President of the Oxford chapter of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association welcome attendees.

He declared his community's disapproval of violence, mentioning that His Holiness Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Worldwide Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, unequivocally condemns the killing of innocent civilians on both sides.

A sobering reminder of the reality of violence was given by Mr Ahsan Ahmedi, the chairperson, who reported the significant numbers of civilians killed on both sides of the Gaza conflict.

A two-minute silence was observed respectfully for the victims of warfare.

Several speakers, including Anneliese Dodds MP and Imam Mansoor Clarke addressed the congregation.

Ms Dodds spoke about the importance of the message of peace amidst suffering in the world, the Middle East in particular, referring to the war in Gaza as a "humanitarian catastrophe", before calling for a ceasefire.

Mr Clarke emphasised collective effort to achieve peace.

Theo Jupp, representing the Liberal Democrats, read a message from Layla Moran MP addressing the plight of Palestinian civilians.

A question and answer session saw concerns of possible escalation of the Gaza War voiced.

Councillor Lubna Arshad, Lord Mayor, voiced her worry about potential escalation in Gaza and said Oxford City Council had unanimously passed a motion calling for peace.