Response to recent terrorist attacks
filed in News, Statement on 30 Oct 2020
Hounslow Friends of Faith endorses the following statement of the Inter Faith Network for the UK made on 30th October 2020
We condemn in the strongest terms terrorism and other acts of violent extremism. They have no place in a democratic society. We deplore these fundamental acts of inhumanity and our thoughts and prayers are with those who have been affected.
In recent times, in many places around the world – as this week at the Notre-Dame Basilica in Nice in France – people have been murdered at their places of worship. Such attacks on places of worship are a reminder to stand together and to continue to work together with ever greater urgency against ignorance, prejudice and hatred. Hatred and violence targeting any community because of its faith and belief are scourges that cannot be tolerated. There must be freedom for all communities to worship and practise their faith freely and without fear.
Response to the Terrorist Attack
filed in Statement on 22 Jun 2020
Hounslow Friends of Faith endorse the following statement:
Our thoughts and prayers are with all affected by the terrorist stabbing attack in Reading on Saturday, in which three people were killed by the attacker and others injured, including those who responded to it with such bravery.
We condemn in the strongest possible terms terrorism and extremist ideologies that underpin it.
Let us stand together in resolute resistance to such murderous acts and in solidarity with those who are affected by them.
This weekend is one on which the murder by another violent extremist four years ago of the late Jo Cox MP is remembered. Her words, ‘We have more in common than that which divides us’, have been at the heart of that remembering and have great resonance.
On all that we hold in common, and appreciating also our diversity, let us continue to work together with courage and commitment to develop and strengthen our shared society in ways rooted in, and characterised by, our shared values such as justice, compassion, pursuit of learning and wisdom, respect, and peace.
We close as we began, holding in our thoughts and prayers all those affected by yesterday’s attack.
A statement on behalf of the Board and the Moderators of the Faith Communities Forum of the Inter Faith Network for the UK
Endorsing Statement by Inter Faith Network UK
filed in Statement on 20 Feb 2020
Part of a Statement by the Faith Communities Forum of the Inter Faith Network for the UK ~ an organisation to which Hounslow Friends of Faith is affiliated:
Our United Kingdom and its individual nations are home to people of many different faiths and beliefs.
As faith communities, each with our own traditions and beliefs, we affirm strongly the value of harmonious coexistence, of values that are shared and of cooperation for the common good.
We are particularly concerned at this time about prevalence of divisive rhetoric, hate speech and rising hate crime. There are those who are actively seeking to drive a wedge between communities, to divide and to foment prejudice and hatred.
We stand together in the face of such destructive actions and in support of those affected. We encourage all to join us in working for greater understanding, for cooperation and positive coexistence and, in the words of IFN’s vision, “a society where there is understanding of the diversity and richness of the faith communities in the UK and the contribution that they make; and where we live and work together with mutual respect and shared commitment to the common good.”
Recent Attacks in London and Manchester
filed in Statement on 05 Jun 2017
Hounslow Friends of Faith issued two statements following the terrorist attacks in London and in Manchester.
Hounlsow Friends of Faith is shocked and greatly distressed that once again individuals have carried out a deplorable attack at London Bridge, so soon after the outrage in Manchester. We know these feelings are shared by many groups in the borough and welcome the statements of condemnation which have already been issued. We feel the pain of those caught up in the events and hold them in our thoughts and prayers.
We acknowledge once more the good relations between faiths which exist in Hounslow. We must not allow such attacks to weaken our resolve to stay as one Hounslow community.
Charanjit Ajit Singh Chair Bessie White
On behalf of HFOF Committee Information Officer
5th June 2017
Statement following Manchester Arena attack
As faith leaders in Hounslow, we unite in our sadness and condemnation of the dreadful attack in Manchester which has affected families, young people and children. Here we are grateful for the good relations that exist between the faith communities where we know each other as friends and colleagues and work together for the common good. We must not allow this attack by an individual to damage this. We hold all those affected in our thoughts and prayers.
Signed
Charanjit Ajit Singh Chair Hounslow Friends of Faith
Rev Tom Gillum Vice Chair Hounslow Friends of Faith
Divya Din Vice Chair Hounslow Friends of Faith
Shafiq Rehman General Secretary Hounslow Jamia Mosque and on behalf of Hounslow Social
and Political Committee which represents the mosques and Islamic Centres in the borough of Hounslow
Rev Richard Frank Church of England Hounslow Area Dean
23rd May 2017
We have already received several messages of support and requests specifically to be associated with this statement. These include from the Ahmadiyya Community and HIRA (Hounslow Islamic Relief Association) in Feltham.
The photo shows the statement on display at the vigil held at Hounlsow Jamia Masjid on 27th May attended by representatives of many faiths.
Manchester Arena Attack
filed in Statement on 23 May 2017
Hounslow Friends of Faith has issued the following statement after the shocking attack in Manchester last night, 22nd May 2017.
“As faith leaders in Hounslow, we unite in our sadness and condemnation of the dreadful attack in Manchester which has affected families, young people and children. Here we are grateful for the good relations that exist between the faith communities where we know each other as friends and colleagues and work together for the common good. We must not allow this attack by an individual to damage this. We hold all those affected in our thoughts and prayers.
Signed
Charanjit Ajit Singh Chair Hounslow Friends of Faith
Rev Tom Gillum Vice Chair Hounslow Friends of Faith
Divya Din Vice Chair Hounslow Friends of Faith
Shafiq Rehman General Secretary Hounslow Jamia Mosque and on behalf of Hounslow Social and Political Committee which represents the mosques and Islamic Centres in the borough of Hounslow
Rev Richard Frank Church of England Hounslow Area Dean”
We have already received several messages of support and requests specifically to be associated with this statement. These include from the Ahmadiyya Community and HIRA (Hounslow Islamic Relief Association) in Feltham.
Faiths Forum for London statement on Westminster attack
filed in Statement on 23 Mar 2017
Hounslow Friends of Faith are distressed by the attack on 22nd March at Westminster, at the deaths and injuries caused and any damage to the good community relations in Hounslow. We as people of faith reach out to our friends and colleagues of all faiths and none in the borough and beyond.
We endorse the statement issued by the Faiths Forum for London which can be read below.
We hold all our communities in our prayers.
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Religious Freedom Spring 2016
filed in Statement on 30 Mar 2016
Hounslow Friends of Faith are very pained by the recent incidents of deaths as a result of religious intolerance. In addition to the outrage in nearby Brussels, there have been other attacks – in Turkey aimed at Muslims, on families and children in Lahore in Pakistan directed at Christians, but also affecting Muslims, and now the murder of Asad Shah in Glasgow, apparently because he was a member of the Ahmadiyya Community. Religious freedom is an increasingly significant issue for the UK, as for other countries around the world.
This last attack in Glasgow has been condemned by the Muslim Council of Great Britain, and many others. As the Interfaith Network for the UK has said, ‘attacks on, or intimidation of, groups and individuals of other beliefs is an extreme form of restriction of the religious freedom of others. We deplore these in the strongest terms.’
Hounslow Friends of Faith is a group which exists for the promotion of religious harmony for the benefit of the public in the Borough of Hounslow and surrounding areas. We have as members, or are in touch with, individuals of all faiths and beliefs represented in the borough and of many of the different denominations within these faiths. In all faiths there are different perspectives and beliefs. We must respect other people’s freedom within the law to express these beliefs and convictions. Where we disagree, we must not allow these beliefs or disagreements to lead to hostility or even violence in our relationships.
Let us all encourage more inclusive education, dialogue and engagement, and work together on the basis of our common values for increased understanding, cooperation and harmonious coexistence.
The Interfaith Network for the UK, of which HFOF is a member, have issued two statements on these issues which can be found on http://www.interfaith.org.uk/resources/statements-and-messages
Faith bodies respond to terrorism
filed in Statement on 30 Nov 2015
While Parliament discussed next steps in Syria, Hounslow Friends of Faith and the Mosques and Islamic Centres of Hounslow issued this statement which was endorsed at a multifaith event at Hounslow Jamia Mosque on Saturday 5th December 2015.
JOINT STATEMENT BY HOUNSLOW FRIENDS OF FAITH AND MOSQUES AND ISLAMIC CENTRES OF HOUNSLOW
We are saddened and horrified by the recent atrocities that have taken place in Paris. Our hearts and prayers go out to the victims and their families. In Hounslow, all the faith groups have been working together for some time to build upon strong bonds and good relations that exist between all the communities.
We reinforce the pledge which we took on 9th June 2015 at the Hounslow Jamia Mosque that ‘We stand together to counter hate and intolerance and for building a stronger and safer Hounslow.’
We will continue to stand together for peace in our community, and reaffirm our commitment to the values of inclusiveness and tolerance against those who seek to create division and fear.
Terror attacks in France
filed in Statement on 17 Nov 2015
Members of Hounslow Friends of Faith have been deeply shocked by the terrible attacks in France on 13th November. We hold the people of France in our prayers.
We will be consulting with faith groups locally about the way forward and what action we can take to continue to maintain and extend good relations between all faiths in the borough. The faiths make a big contribution to society at large and it is important that their members all feel valued and supported.
The Interfaith Network for the UK issued a statement on Saturday 14th November. Members of HFOF and others attending our Interfaith Week event on 16th November were very pleased to endorse it.
The statement is below:
The terrorist attacks in Paris and inter faith relations in the UK: Statement from the Co-Chairs and Vice-Chairs of the Inter Faith Network for the UK
We have watched with deep concern the news unfolding of coordinated murders, injury and destruction in terrorist attacks in Paris. Our prayers are with all affected by this atrocity.
A jihadist motive is described in news coverage.
Terrorism has many faces. Sometimes it wears the mask of religion, claiming a justification in religious teaching for its acts. This is rejected in the strongest terms by faith communities.
Terrorists have as their aim the creation of a climate of fear and uncertainty. Their victory begins the moment that people can no longer live in trust and with a sense of shared citizenship. In Britain, we live with the reality of the impact of international terrorism, feeling the shockwaves of events such as those in Paris as well as in other places around the world. In such a context, we need to build on the solid history of inter community relations in the UK. Let us not allow the wedge of suspicion and distrust to be driven between our communities.
Tomorrow Inter Faith Week gets under way in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. One of its themes this year is ‘Living Well Together’. The events that the Week will see are a reminder of the reality and the importance of a positive coexistence. Tackling tough issues is part of this and on the agenda are those such as extremism, freedom of expression and responding to social ills such as poverty. Inter faith discussion and engagement does not just focus on easy issues; it is not just the province of those who agree. It is a challenging and vital process that needs, increasingly, to be part of the common discourse of our society.
We conclude, as we began, with our concern and sympathy for our near neighbours in France at this time.
The Rt Revd Richard Atkinson OBE (Co-Chair)
Vivian Wineman (Co-Chair)
Maulana M Shahid Raza OBE (Vice-Chair)
Dr Natubhai Shah MBE (Vice-Chair)
Lord Singh of Wimbledon CBE (Vice-Chair)
The Inter Faith Network for the UK
2 Grosvenor Gardens
London SW1W 0DH
Tel: 020 7730 0410
Email: ifnet@interfaith.org.uk
Twitter: www.twitter.com/IFNetUK
Facebook: www.facebook.com/IFNetUK
Faiths meet to increase understanding post Paris
filed in Event, Statement on 17 Feb 2015
Hounslow Jamia Masjid and Islamic Centre, in partnership with Hounslow Friends of Faith hosted a Communities Roundtable at the mosque in Hounslow on Thursday 12th February. This brought together over 30 leaders of the faiths and denominations in the borough to share views and concerns informally in the wake of the recent events in France. Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim and Sikh groups were represented. Councillor Sue Sampson, Lead member for Communities, two senior staff from the Communities Partnership Unit and the Met Police faith liaison officer also attended.
In a wide ranging discussion the value of working together across faiths was recognised. Hounslow is a community of communities. Faiths should be respectful of each other and not judge.
Issues raised included the need to get the message across of the positive contribution faiths make to the community and that they are actively addressing concerns such as working with their young people. On-line radicalisation is a reality whether Islamist or far right. Places of worship have to be alert, tackle it with their young people and share knowledge and best practice of how to do this.
Young people need to be engaged through action, not just dialogue. ‘Faith bodies and the local authority have a crucial role to tackle the issue of engaging with young people’ said HFOF Chair Charanjit Ajit Singh. ‘We need to give them the tools to develop into law abiding citizens as equals. We must be careful of the language we use to each other, but also challenge it if necessary’.
‘Freedom of speech and expression is an important and highly earned value of democratic societies and must be exercised with care and respect for others. Fanaticism, in any form including through pen or pistol, has no place in our communities’ said Zubair Awan, Joint Secretary of Hounslow Jamia Masjid.
Participants plan to keep in touch and support each other in working on these issues.