Interfaith statement on Manchester attack

The Co-chairs of the of the Inter Faith Network for the UK and Moderators of the IFN Faith Communities Forum have issued a statement following the Manchester bombing.

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 Inter Faith Network for the 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. www.interfaith.org.uk

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