London Bridge attack - Statement

Statement from the Co-Chairs of the Inter Faith Network for the UK and Moderators of the IFN Faith Communities Forum

NEWS RELEASE

4 June 2017

We hold in our thoughts and prayers those who have lost their lives or been injured in the attacks at London Bridge, and also their families and friends.

We give thanks for the bravery and commitment of all who went to their assistance.

This was a further brutal attempt to undermine the stability of British society and to sow suspicion and fear  -  one that must be met by continuing to stand resolutely together as people of all faiths and none to uphold the values of an open democratic society. 

We must continue to work together for a respectful and positive society where people feel valued and included and safe and where all can flourish free from fear.

Attacks such as these can bring scapegoating and acts of hatred in their wake. Let us work to try and prevent that and respond together to assist whenever necessary. 

We know that, just as following the recent attack in Manchester, inter faith organisations in London will be playing an important role in the days and weeks to come. They are also in our thoughts at this time.  

Two weekends from now the anniversary of the murder of the late Jo Cox MP by an extremist of a different kind will be marked by the Great Get Together. People around the UK will be coming together in their communities in a spirit of neighbourliness to highlight and celebrate what unites.  Let us seize that moment to strengthen our bonds of friendship and create new relationships and to remember and affirm that we have, in her words, “far more in common with each other than things that divide us”. 

IFN Co Chairs and Moderators of the IFN Faith Communities Forum
 

Notes for editors

1. Press queries to Inter Faith Network: tel 020 7730 0410; email ifnet@interfaith.org.uk
2. The Inter Faith Network for the UK www.interfaith.org.uk was founded in 1987 to advance public knowledge and mutual understanding of the teachings, traditions and practices of the different faith communities in Britain and to promote good relations between people of different faiths in this country. It works with its member bodies and others to carry out these aims.
3. Member bodies of the Inter Faith Network include: national faith community representative bodies; national, regional and local inter faith bodies; and academic institutions and educational bodies concerned with inter faith issues. A list of member bodies can be found at http://www.interfaith.org.uk/members.
4. A copy of this statement can be found at http://interfaith.org.uk/resources/statements-and-messages and a copy of IFN’s statement making policy at https://www.interfaith.org.uk/uploads/Policy_on_making_of_statements.pdf
5. IFN’s recently issued guidance, Looking After One Another: The Safety and Security of our Faith Communities published in partnership with the Department for Communities and Local Government, the Home Office, the Crown Prosecution Service, the National Police Chiefs’ Council and the National Fire Chiefs’ Council can be found at: https://www.interfaith.org.uk/news/press-release-looking-after-one-another-the-safety-and-security-of-our-fait
   That document contains guidance on responding jointly to attacks on places of worship; working for calm at times of tension; and working to build on and strengthen existing good inter faith relations. It contains material about how and where to report hate incidents, cyber-attacks, and actual or suspected terrorist activity; where to find information on strengthening the security of buildings; and where to find information about working to build – and strengthen – good inter faith relations locally.
6. A note circulated by the Department for Communities and Local Government following the recent attack at Manchester Arena, entitled Advice and Support for Community Leaders on Managing Tensions can be found at https://www.interfaith.org.uk/news/advice-and-support-for-community-leaders-on-managing-tensions 
7. Further information about the Great Get Together can be found at https://www.interfaith.org.uk/news/the-great-get-together 

List of responses by faith and inter faith bodies.