Parsons Green: Responding together in solidarity - Statement
Statement from the Co-Chairs of the Inter Faith Network for the UK and Moderators of the IFN Faith Communities Forum
In the wake of news of the terrorist attack this morning at Parsons Green on the London Underground, our thoughts and prayers go out to all affected.
Our thoughts are also with the emergency services and all those working in the wake of this attack to respond locally to keep inter faith and community relations strong, such as Faiths Forum for London, the London Boroughs Faith Network and local faith and inter faith groups. In this, as in other emergency response situations, faith groups play a key role in offering practical and spiritual support.
We re-state in the strongest terms our condemnation of terrorism, noting the toxicity of spurious justifications by terrorists on the basis of religious beliefs which they claim to espouse.
In recent months, people of all faiths and none have stood together in the face of this kind of cowardly aggression. Let us continue to do so, and let us work with vigour to counter narratives of hatred and also to resist division and support all those who face hatred and the fear of discrimination due to ignorant or prejudiced minds linking them with terrorist attackers.
Notes to editors
- Press queries to Inter Faith Network: tel 020 7730 0410; email ifnet@interfaith.org.uk
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
- 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-fai
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.
