Manchester Arena 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

23 May 2017

Our thoughts and prayers are with those who lost their lives or were injured in last night’s terrorist murders at the Manchester Arena, as they are with their families, all others affected  and those responding with assistance.

We deplore and condemn this wanton, brutal and cowardly taking of the lives of young and old.  

Let us stand together to oppose terrorism and the ideologies that promote it.

Let us also uphold and strengthen the unity of our society and work to ensure that it is a positive and harmonious one where all children and young people can grow up safely and without fear.

It is vital that we all – of every age and background -  work to build bridges and positive relationships and to enable difficult issues to be addressed and worked on – always seeking to avoid the use of violence to resolve issues. 

We know that each time a terrorist attack occurs, groups within society become the target of abuse or even attack because of terrorist actions which claim, or are perceived by some, as having a link to them.  We must stand, likewise, against this. An attack on one is an attack on all.

We remember at this time, in this context, particularly the many in the Greater Manchester area working for good relations.

The Co-Chairs of the Inter Faith Network for the UK 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 PDF version of this statement can be downloaded here. 

List of responses by faith and inter faith bodies.

Looking after one another: the safety and security of our faith communities