Faith Leaders Show Unity after Paris Attacks
More than 20 leaders from Jewish, Muslim and Christian and other faith communities gathered at London Central mosque in Regent’s Park for an “interfaith unity gathering” in response to the terror attacks that left 17 people dead, The Guardian reported.
Dr Shuja Shafi, the secretary general of the Muslim Council of Britain, opened the event by saying: “We come together in difficult circumstances. Last week, we all watched in horror as people were killed mercilessly. Last week, we saw gunmen kill, insulting our faith, and defying the Quranic injunction to save life.
“We come together in solidarity … There has been a lot of heat generated in the last week about freedom of speech, about security and about the place of British Muslims in society.”
Shafi went on: “Yes, Muslims are no doubt hurt and offended by those depictions [of Muhammad]. But nothing offends us more than the insult, hurt and dishonour this attack has brought on our community and faith.” He added that he was particularly hurt and shocked by the attack on the kosher supermarket in France and said: “Islamophobia and antisemitism have no place in society.”
Vivian Wineman, president of the Board of Deputy of Jews, who sat beside Dr Shafi, said: “It’s lovely to see a unity of people from different faiths.” He said the attack on freedom of speech in Paris was an attack on values in our society: “You attack one minority, you attack us all.”
Senior Rabbi Laura Janner-Klausner from the Movement for Reform Judaism, who was in Paris last week, said: “Just a week ago, somebody tried to break something.” But she went on to say that Friday’s event offered a moment of sanctity. “Jews and Muslims are united by the word shalom/salam. This word doesn’t just mean peace – it also means completeness. We will not allow that [disunity] to happen,” she said.
Dr Harriet Crabtree, director of the InterFaith Network for the UK, told the Guardian: “At times such as these, where events overseas have an impact on inter faith relations in the UK, the response of faith groups and interfaith bodies here is very important.
“It is clear, though, that there is recognition that there are serious issues involved which call for long-term, considered reflection and engagement. Identifying and building on shared values and also finding ways to discuss areas of disagreement is crucial.”
After the joint conference, the religious and community leaders held up “#hopeunity” banners in a photo shoot beneath the golden dome of the Central Mosque before the Friday call to prayer for Muslims.
