London landmarks turn blood red to commemorate millions killed for their faith

Iconic landmarks in London were lit in "the color of blood" on Wednesday to commemorate the millions of people around the world who were killed for their faith.

The Palace of Westminster, Westminster Abbey, the London Eye and Westminster Cathedral, along with dozens of churches, mosques and synagogues, were floodlit in red to mark Red Wednesday, a campaign initiated by the Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), Christian Today reported.

Muslim, Jewish and Christian leaders were among those who participated in the campaign. A double-decker campaign bus paid a visit to the Imam Khoei Islamic Centre, the Jewish Liberal Synagogue and St. Paul's Cathedral before it made its final stop in Parliament Square.

Lord Alton of Liverpool, a Catholic crossbench peer, led the campaign to light the Palace of Westminster red.

"Millions of people are suffering because of their faith. Article 18 [on religious freedom in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights] is breached daily," he said.

"Whether you are North Korean Christian in a gulag or you're an Ahmdi living in Pakistan or Bahá'í living in Iran or a Muslim living in Rohingya state in Burma or an atheist in Saudi Arabia—it all amounts to the same thing. People are being persecuted in the most grievous and horrible ways," he continued.

A prayer service was held outside the Westminster Cathedral and a Holy Mass was conducted inside. There were also presentations from faith-based speakers as well as films and music, according to The Stream.

Professor Michael Whitby, pro-vice chancellor and head of the College of Arts and Law at the University of Birmingham, showed solidarity with the persecuted by lighting the university clock tower in red.

"We hope to give them some comfort that their cry has been heard and we are taking a small step to highlight the persecution of millions of people because of their beliefs," he said.

The day after the campaign, ACN released the Religious Freedom in the World Report for the year 2016. It highlighted the violations of religious freedom committed against Christians and other religious minorities in 38 different countries.

This year's report is the 13th edition and it covers the period between June 2014 and June 2016, according to Premier.