'An attack on one is an attack on all'

Inter faith leaders have responded to the terrorist attack at the Finsbury Park mosque in the early hours of Monday morning (19 June)  

The following statement has been issued by the Co-Chairs of the Inter Faith Network (IFN) for the UK, of which the Inter Faith Working Group of the Baptist Union of Great Britain is a member, and Moderators of the IFN Faith Communities Forum.  Condemning the attack, the statement highlights the role faith communities have in responding and to inter-community tensions. It calls for faith communities to continue to stand together, support each other and work together for the common good.  

Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims of the horrific terrorist attack in the early hours of this morning at Finsbury Park and with their families and all others involved.
 
The attack took place just outside Muslim Welfare House where, this weekend, a Great Get Together event was held, like other GGT events, “celebrating all that we hold in common”.  That event, like the mosque open days, other cross-communal events at Muslim Welfare House and nearby Finsbury Park Mosque and active engagement in the Islington Faiths Forum, has highlighted the extensive work of those bodies to create positive links, as well as the good relations that others locally have with them.
 
Where terrorism seeks to wear the face of religion, or where innocent people connected to mosques or other places of worship are the subject of hatred and attack because of perceived links to terrorism, we must stand up for their safety and their right to live free from prejudice, suspicion and hatred.
 
We must continue to stand together, support each other and work together for the common good.  
 
Earlier this year IFN, with Government, the Crown Prosecution Service, the National Police Chiefs Council and the National Fire Chiefs Council published short guidelines: Looking After One Another: The Safety and Security of our Faith Communities.  As we say in this “As faith communities we… have a role in responding to emergency situations and to inter-community tensions, both as individual communities and – very importantly – together.  In our shared society we are deeply interconnected.  An attack on one is an attack on all.”
 
We close, as we began, with thoughts and prayers for those affected and remember also all those killed, injured and bereaved in other recent attacks.

The Inter Faith Network Co-Chairs and Faith Communities Forum Moderators
  

 
Elsewhere, the Churches Together in England offered this statement following the Finsbury Park attack. CTE is a visible sign of the Churches’ commitment to mission and unity together. It currently has 44 national Member Churches, including the Baptist Union of Great Britain.

We were shocked to learn of the brutal attack on worshippers leaving the Finsbury Park mosque in the early hours of this morning. We unreservedly condemn all acts of violence which seek to undermine our society and foster hatred and intolerance.
 
Jesus came among us as the Prince of Peace, and in his name and for his sake, we stand in solidarity with our Muslim friends.
 
We remember in our prayers those who have been injured.
 
We pray for the leaders of our communities and nation, and for those who work in our emergency services.
 
We pray too for those who perpetrate such acts that God may touch their hearts and minds with his love, forgiveness and compassion.