A SCOTTISH faith group will be holding their annual Peace Walk in Dunfermline next week. 

The Scottish Ahlul Bayt Society (SABS) is a faith group working to meet the needs of the Scottish Shia Muslim community through works in partnership across the country on cultural, social and religious projects. 

This year they will be holding their pilgrimage through Dunfermline on Thursday, September 7, and will stop off at local landmarks along the way. 

As a spokesperson for the charity, Azhar Hussnain the general secretary of SABS, said: "Every year, during the second month of the Islamic Calendar on the 40th day following the martyrdom of Imam Hussain, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, millions of Muslims undertake a pilgrimage.

"This pilgrimage is a walk between the Holy Cities of Najaf and Karbala in Iraq. The walk signifies peace, hope, justice, and the loftiest human ideals.

"Here in Scotland, the Scottish Ahlul Bayt Society has replicated that walk, The Arba'een Walk. Initially held in Glasgow and subsequently brought to Edinburgh, the walk showcased a successful collaboration between faith and non-faith communities, as well as civic leaders across the board."

The Peace Walks were started by the charity as a way of fostering stronger relationships and forging new connections across the country.

Mr Hussnain continued: "Each community benefited from the opportunity to participate in an annual global movement with ancient roots dating back 1400 years.

"The walk allowed all people to demonstrate solidarity for justice and stand against injustice and oppression in a peaceful manner. Symbolising the strength of human resolve and humanitarian ideals, it brought civic leaders together with faith and non-faith communities in an unprecedented way.

"This initiative is profound and innovative, and we are delighted to have received the support of numerous groups in both previous years and this year as well."

The Dunfermline walk will be led by Ameed Versace, SABS' resilient earth director. It will begin at Queen Margaret Hospital at 9am. 

The group will then walk across the city, stopping off at the Dunfermline Athletic Football Club's ground to visit the Memorial Garden, Dunfermline Central Mosque, Dunfermline Fire Station, Dunfermline Police Station, Dunfermline Carnegie Library and Gallery, Abbot House, Dunfermline Abbey and Palace, Pittencrieff Park, and the Andrew Carnegie Birthplace Museum. 

They will then make one last stop at St Margarets Cave, providing the special permission that is needed is granted to them. To mark the end of their pilgrimage, they will convene at the Dunfermline City Chambers where a private civic reception sponsored by Provost Leishman will take place.

Mr Hussnain added: "This year's walk will be even more impactful as it takes place in Dunfermline and its new surroundings. It embodies the fellowship that exists among individuals from diverse backgrounds and has garnered the support of the Provost of Fife and the city."