THE organisers of a peace vigil in Newport said the event at the weekend was a success.

Around 100 people took to the streets of Newport on Sunday night as part of a vigil organised by the Islamic Society for Wales.

The society held a Peace and Unity candlelit Vigil in the city centre at 6pm and people gathered outside the Westgate Hotel at the bottom of Stow Hill to light candles.

Leader of the Welsh Green Party, Pippa Bartolotti, was among the speakers as well as the chief executive and chairman of the South East Wales Racial Equality Council.

The vigil comes as part of the ISW’s efforts to promote peace and unity in Newport following the news of a planned Welsh Alliance march this weekend.

It is believed the WA, formerly known as the Welsh Defence League and a splinter group of the English Defence League, is organising a march through Newport City Centre on Saturday, January 31.

Last week Gwent Police confirmed they had been “in contact with individuals who have stated their intent to stage a march” but were working to agree a route in order “to facilitate a lawful, peaceful gathering”.

Secretary of the ISW, Mubarak Ali, said he hoped the vigil would spread the message of Islam as a peaceful faith. He said he wants to work with other faiths and organisations to promote peace and unity in the city.

Mr Ali said: “It went very well. We had various speakers who spoke about peace and unity for Newport and being against terrorism.

“Newport has been a peaceful town for years and we want to keep it that way.”

The ISW also revealed it is planning a peaceful march at 11am on Saturday from Jamia Mosque on Commercial Road in Pill into the city centre.