COVENTRY’S religious leaders across faiths have united against terrorism in a joint statement in the wake of the Manchester attack.
They have pledged: “We stand together in Coventry for peace in our world.”
It is signed by Abdullah Shehu, chair of the Coventry Muslim Forum; the Bishop of Coventry, the Right Reverend Dr Christopher Cocksworth, and others.
The suicide bomb attack at a Manchester Arena concert on Monday killed 22 including young children and left 59 people injured.
It has been denounced as “evil” by this faith leaders in Coventry, where armed police have been seen at key locations including the city’s train station, after Prime Minister Theresa May announced the national security situation was now “critical” – with the possibility of imminent further attacks.
It reads:
“Joint Statement from Coventry Faith Leaders regarding Manchester Attack
“Our hearts rage against the assault on life at the Manchester Arena – this murder of the innocents, so many of them young. We stand with the people of Manchester, and towns and cities across the Northwest, in their grief and suffering. We pray for them.
“This outbreak of evil seeks to cause fear, sow seeds of distrust between peoples and even drive communities apart. We will resist it. We will turn our rage to good.
“We call on all our communities to be one community, united in resolve, showing together that the strength of human goodness overcomes the cowardice of acts of terror.
“We stand together in Coventry for peace in our world and reconciliation between peoples. As leaders of different religious traditions, we stand together in Coventry to condemn such cowardly acts that are not in any religious teaching, and for peace in our world and reconciliation between peoples.”
It is signed by..
Christopher Cocksworth – Bishop of Coventry
Abdullah Shehu – Chair, Coventry Muslim Forum
Sanjay Jagatia – Director/Secretary General Hindu Council UK
Bill Rattigan – Baha’i community
Ros Johnson – Jewish community
Mehru Fitter – Zoroastrian community
Harry Hall – Coventry Multi-Faith Forum
