Churches speak out for Islamic neighbours
-08/07/05
Churches and other faith groups in multi-ethnic areas of Britain are working together to ensure that community relations are not damaged as a result of perceptions about possible radical Islamist involvement in yesterdayís London bomb attacks.
Among those to have spoken out in support of their Islamic neighbours in the wake of the London terror bombs are the diocesan and area Bishops of the Anglican Diocese of Lichfield.
Before a service of Evensong at Lichfield Cathedral where prayers were said for all those caught up in the attacks, the Rt Revd Jonathan Gledhill, Bishop of Lichfield, said: ìLiving near most of us will be families who are quite worried that they may be identified with a terror attack simply because they are from another faith. I want us to do what we can to reassure them that we recognise that just as the IRA has nothing to do with Christianity; so this kind of terror has nothing to do with any of the world faiths.ì
His sentiments were echoed by the Rt Revd Dr Alan Smith, Bishop of Shrewsbury, who said last night: ìNow that a website has been found claiming that the London bombings were undertaken by an Islamic group, it is vitally important that we speak out against any people in our own country who might use this as an excuse for racist attacks.î
Dr Smith continued: ìThe vast majority of Muslims in this country are peace loving people who neither support not condone the violence perpetrated in the name of Islam. I hope that all people of goodwill in Shropshire and Telford and Wrekin will not give into fear but will redouble their efforts to build bridges with people of other faiths and of other ethnic backgroundsî.
In Wolverhampton yesterday evening, prayers were said for the City of London and its people; and all those caught up in todayís bombings, at a service in St Peterís Church in the centre of the City. Introducing the service, the Rector of Wolverhampton, the Revd David Frith, said: ìThis is a simple service of grief and hope as we bring to mind the events of the day. This is not a time to focus on the evil that has been perpetrated. That evil is not worthy of our attention.î
Afterwards the Bishop of Wolverhampton was joined by members of the Wolverhampton Interfaith Group who issued a united condemnation of the attacks, and offered their condolences for those affected by the atrocity.
The Rt Revd Michael Bourke, who is President of the Wolverhampton Interfaith Group, said: ìAll our faiths unite in condemning utterly this indiscriminate mass murder, and we pray that those responsible will be quickly brought to justice. If it turns out that these crimes were motivated in any way by religion, we utterly denounce such religion as having nothing to do with God our creator, our judge, our redeemer and our hope.
He went on: ìThe Christian faith forbids revenge. We therefore offer our complete support to people of any faith or none who may be the target of attacks or threats as a result of todayís events.î
Mr Harun Rashid, Vice President of the Wolverhampton Interfaith Group and a leader of the Muslim community, said: ìIíd like to offer my deepest sympathy and condolences for all the victims and pray for their souls. There can be no justification for these atrocities. No faith or creed can condone it. As a Muslim I condemn it from the bottom of my heart.î
ìWolverhampton is a very harmonious city and it is important that we donít allow this atrocity to interfere with that,î said Mr Rashid. ìThis atrocity can not be justified under any religion, yet alone Islam. It is a thoroughly evil act which has killed innocent people. In Wolverhampton we stand shoulder to shoulder with all faith groups, all ethnic backgrounds and all creeds and we shall continue to do so.î
Mr Sehdev Bismal, Vice Chair of the Wolverhampton Interfaith Group and a leader of the Hindu community, said: ìMy hearts go out to the victims and their families who are suffering for no apparent reason. These acts are the work of lunatic criminals with perverted minds. There is no justification so great it can motivate people to kill others.î
He continued: ìIn Wolverhampton we have been working hard for 30 years to build up peace, understanding and harmony between communities. We must not allow such events to destroy the equilibrium. ì
Mr Vasdev Singh Bhamreh, Patron of Wolverhampton Interfaith Group and a leader of the Sikh community, said: ìOur hearts are with those who have lost their lives and their loved ones. No religion allows you do be a terrorist or kill innocent people. They will not achieve anything. The only way to achieve things is to sit down and negotiate.î
Churches speak out for Islamic neighbours
-08/07/05
Churches and other faith groups in multi-ethnic areas of Britain are working together to ensure that community relations are not damaged as a result of perceptions about possible radical Islamist involvement in yesterday’s London bomb attacks.
Among those to have spoken out in support of their Islamic neighbours in the wake of the London terror bombs are the diocesan and area Bishops of the Anglican Diocese of Lichfield.
Before a service of Evensong at Lichfield Cathedral where prayers were said for all those caught up in the attacks, the Rt Revd Jonathan Gledhill, Bishop of Lichfield, said: ‘Living near most of us will be families who are quite worried that they may be identified with a terror attack simply because they are from another faith. I want us to do what we can to reassure them that we recognise that just as the IRA has nothing to do with Christianity; so this kind of terror has nothing to do with any of the world faiths.’
His sentiments were echoed by the Rt Revd Dr Alan Smith, Bishop of Shrewsbury, who said last night: ‘Now that a website has been found claiming that the London bombings were undertaken by an Islamic group, it is vitally important that we speak out against any people in our own country who might use this as an excuse for racist attacks.’
Dr Smith continued: ‘The vast majority of Muslims in this country are peace loving people who neither support not condone the violence perpetrated in the name of Islam. I hope that all people of goodwill in Shropshire and Telford and Wrekin will not give into fear but will redouble their efforts to build bridges with people of other faiths and of other ethnic backgrounds’.
In Wolverhampton yesterday evening, prayers were said for the City of London and its people; and all those caught up in today’s bombings, at a service in St Peter’s Church in the centre of the City. Introducing the service, the Rector of Wolverhampton, the Revd David Frith, said: ‘This is a simple service of grief and hope as we bring to mind the events of the day. This is not a time to focus on the evil that has been perpetrated. That evil is not worthy of our attention.’
Afterwards the Bishop of Wolverhampton was joined by members of the Wolverhampton Interfaith Group who issued a united condemnation of the attacks, and offered their condolences for those affected by the atrocity.
The Rt Revd Michael Bourke, who is President of the Wolverhampton Interfaith Group, said: ‘All our faiths unite in condemning utterly this indiscriminate mass murder, and we pray that those responsible will be quickly brought to justice. If it turns out that these crimes were motivated in any way by religion, we utterly denounce such religion as having nothing to do with God our creator, our judge, our redeemer and our hope.
He went on: ‘The Christian faith forbids revenge. We therefore offer our complete support to people of any faith or none who may be the target of attacks or threats as a result of today’s events.’
Mr Harun Rashid, Vice President of the Wolverhampton Interfaith Group and a leader of the Muslim community, said: ‘I’d like to offer my deepest sympathy and condolences for all the victims and pray for their souls. There can be no justification for these atrocities. No faith or creed can condone it. As a Muslim I condemn it from the bottom of my heart.’
‘Wolverhampton is a very harmonious city and it is important that we don’t allow this atrocity to interfere with that,’ said Mr Rashid. ‘This atrocity can not be justified under any religion, yet alone Islam. It is a thoroughly evil act which has killed innocent people. In Wolverhampton we stand shoulder to shoulder with all faith groups, all ethnic backgrounds and all creeds and we shall continue to do so.’
Mr Sehdev Bismal, Vice Chair of the Wolverhampton Interfaith Group and a leader of the Hindu community, said: ‘My hearts go out to the victims and their families who are suffering for no apparent reason. These acts are the work of lunatic criminals with perverted minds. There is no justification so great it can motivate people to kill others.’
He continued: ‘In Wolverhampton we have been working hard for 30 years to build up peace, understanding and harmony between communities. We must not allow such events to destroy the equilibrium. ‘
Mr Vasdev Singh Bhamreh, Patron of Wolverhampton Interfaith Group and a leader of the Sikh community, said: ‘Our hearts are with those who have lost their lives and their loved ones. No religion allows you do be a terrorist or kill innocent people. They will not achieve anything. The only way to achieve things is to sit down and negotiate.’