Muslims and Christians unite against bomb attacks
-07/07/05
The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB), which works on behalf of many UK Muslims, and the official ecumenical body, Churches Together in Britain and Ireland (CTBI), have joined together to issue a statement denouncing todayís terrorist bomb attacks in London and calling for cooperation between the faiths.
After expressing ìdeep sympathyî to the victims of the blasts, now known to be numbered in their hundreds, MCB and CTBI declare: ìThis criminal attack is condemned in the strongest possible terms. No good purpose can be achieved by such an indiscriminate and cruel use of terror.î
The Christian and Muslim umbrella organisations point out that ìthe scriptures and the traditions of both Ö communities repudiate the use of such violence. Religious precepts cannot be used to justify such crimes, which are completely contrary to our teaching and practice.î
They go on: ìWe continue to resist all attempts to associate our communities with the hateful acts of any minority who claim falsely to represent us. In the present uncertainties, we look to all community leaders to give an example of wisdom, tolerance and compassion.î
Today Tony Blair, the British Prime Minister, also made it clear that any attempt by bombers to say that they act ìin the name of Islamî is to be rejected. The Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, added that such ìcowardly attacksî against civilians were condemned by Muslims, Christians, Jews and Hindus alike.
Similar points were made by Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, the Bishop of London, the Rt Rev Richard Chartres, and the head of the Commission for Racial Equality, Mr Trevor Philips.
Concerns have been expressed about a misplaced backlash against British Muslims because of claims, as yet unproven, that the bombings were the work of a cell associated with Al Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden.
îThe events of recent years have challenged Muslims and Christians to work together in order to acknowledge our differences, to affirm our common humanity, and to seek ways to share life together,î say the Muslim Council of Britain and Churches Together in Britain and Ireland.
ìMuch has already been achieved,î they declare, ìand nothing must undermine the progress that we have made. These attacks strengthen our determination to live together in peace, and to grow together in mutual understanding.î
MCB head Sir Iqbal Sacranie and CTBI general secretary Dr David Goodbourn today jointly endorsed the view that ì[t]his crime must inspire us to work unceasingly together in pursuit of peace, justice and respect for difference.î
The Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) also added its condemnation. It said: “We join Americans of all faiths, and all people of conscience worldwide, in condemning these barbaric crimes that can never be justified or excused. American Muslims offer their sincere condolences to the loved ones of those who were killed or injured in today’s attacks and call for the swift apprehension and punishment of the perpetrators.”
Meanwhile the Rev Dr Bob Edgar, general secretary of the National Council of Churches USA, wrote to CTBI: ìWe join in prayer for those who were injured and offer our sympathy to those who lost loved ones in the mass transit bombings in London today. Such violence never serves to advance a cause or a viewpoint, but merely strengthens the resolve of those who are attacked. Even as we heighten our vigilance and seek to bring the perpetrators to justice, we must also continue to pursue peace in a thousand ways. May God grant us peace! ”
The Rev Judith Maizel Long, CTBIís assistant general secretary, has written a prayer following the explosions across London. It reads:
God and Creator of all,
In the compassion of Jesus Christ,
And in the tender mercy of the Holy Spirit,
We pray for all who have suffered and died in these atrocities;
Bind up the physical and mental injuries
Send your peace upon the bereaved.
Bless the emergency services and hospital staff,
The police and all those whose vigilance defends us,
Transport workers and officials who clear up the debris.
Protect our Muslim neighbours from revenge attacks.
Help us to build communities of good will.
We pray that you will bring the perpetrators to repentance and justice.
Amen
Muslims and Christians unite against bomb attacks
-07/07/05
The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB), which works on behalf of many UK Muslims, and the official ecumenical body, Churches Together in Britain and Ireland (CTBI), have joined together to issue a statement denouncing today’s terrorist bomb attacks in London and calling for cooperation between the faiths.
After expressing ‘deep sympathy’ to the victims of the blasts, now known to be numbered in their hundreds, MCB and CTBI declare: ‘This criminal attack is condemned in the strongest possible terms. No good purpose can be achieved by such an indiscriminate and cruel use of terror.’
The Christian and Muslim umbrella organisations point out that ‘the scriptures and the traditions of both Ö communities repudiate the use of such violence. Religious precepts cannot be used to justify such crimes, which are completely contrary to our teaching and practice.’
They go on: ‘We continue to resist all attempts to associate our communities with the hateful acts of any minority who claim falsely to represent us. In the present uncertainties, we look to all community leaders to give an example of wisdom, tolerance and compassion.’
Today Tony Blair, the British Prime Minister, also made it clear that any attempt by bombers to say that they act ‘in the name of Islam’ is to be rejected. The Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, added that such ‘cowardly attacks’ against civilians were condemned by Muslims, Christians, Jews and Hindus alike.
Similar points were made by Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, the Bishop of London, the Rt Rev Richard Chartres, and the head of the Commission for Racial Equality, Mr Trevor Philips.
Concerns have been expressed about a misplaced backlash against British Muslims because of claims, as yet unproven, that the bombings were the work of a cell associated with Al Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden.
‘The events of recent years have challenged Muslims and Christians to work together in order to acknowledge our differences, to affirm our common humanity, and to seek ways to share life together,’ say the Muslim Council of Britain and Churches Together in Britain and Ireland.
‘Much has already been achieved,’ they declare, ‘and nothing must undermine the progress that we have made. These attacks strengthen our determination to live together in peace, and to grow together in mutual understanding.’
MCB head Sir Iqbal Sacranie and CTBI general secretary Dr David Goodbourn today jointly endorsed the view that ‘[t]his crime must inspire us to work unceasingly together in pursuit of peace, justice and respect for difference.’
The Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) also added its condemnation. It said: “We join Americans of all faiths, and all people of conscience worldwide, in condemning these barbaric crimes that can never be justified or excused. American Muslims offer their sincere condolences to the loved ones of those who were killed or injured in today’s attacks and call for the swift apprehension and punishment of the perpetrators.”
Meanwhile the Rev Dr Bob Edgar, general secretary of the National Council of Churches USA, wrote to CTBI: ‘We join in prayer for those who were injured and offer our sympathy to those who lost loved ones in the mass transit bombings in London today. Such violence never serves to advance a cause or a viewpoint, but merely strengthens the resolve of those who are attacked. Even as we heighten our vigilance and seek to bring the perpetrators to justice, we must also continue to pursue peace in a thousand ways. May God grant us peace! ”
The Rev Judith Maizel Long, CTBI’s assistant general secretary, has written a prayer following the explosions across London. It reads:
God and Creator of all,
In the compassion of Jesus Christ,
And in the tender mercy of the Holy Spirit,
We pray for all who have suffered and died in these atrocities;
Bind up the physical and mental injuries
Send your peace upon the bereaved.
Bless the emergency services and hospital staff,
The police and all those whose vigilance defends us,
Transport workers and officials who clear up the debris.
Protect our Muslim neighbours from revenge attacks.
Help us to build communities of good will.
We pray that you will bring the perpetrators to repentance and justice.
Amen