Prayers to be held for Sydney siege hostages

Religious leaders across Australia are calling on their followers to unite and pray for a peaceful end to the Sydney siege.

Mosques, synagogues and churches will welcome worshippers tonight, in what their leaders say is a show of community solidarity.

"In times of great adversity it is imperative that we remain calm, united and stand together," Lebanese Muslim Association president Samier Dandan said.

Jarrod McKenna, a Westcity Church Teaching Pastor, called on those of faith to pray "for the safety of the hostages, and that our nation will not become hostage to fear and hatred".

Some of the places of worship include:

Sydney

• Lakemba Mosque

• Auburn Mosque

• St George's Anglican Church, Paddington

• St Mark's, Darling Point

Brisbane

• Holland Park Mosque

Melbourne

• Caulfield Hebrew Congregation Synagogue

Adelaide

• Omar Bin Alkhatab Mosque

Canberra

• Theo Notaras Multicultural Centre