Monday 20th June 2017:
The Hindu Council UK is shocked and devastated at the horrific and awful attack on innocent people after a van ploughed into worshippers leaving a mosque which took place shortly after midnight on Sunday night, close to the Muslim Welfare House on Seven Sisters Road, Finsbury Park. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the man who was killed and to his family and friends, and also to those who were injured and for the police and emergency services who serve the whole community and preserve our values.
The hatred that is demonstrated by this act is hard to understand, especially after a weekend of large gatherings of people of all religions, faith and ethnicity in support of solidarity, peace, community cohesion and to heal community tensions and to unite people of different backgrounds on the basis of our common humanity. Finsbury Park is one of London’s most diverse and lively areas. It is a place where young and old, rich and poor, and people of every race, live together in harmony.
In the UK, the vast majority of people want to live in a peaceful and diverse community. We rejoice in our diversity and the opportunity this gives us for peaceful living side by side and upholding the values of justice and peace of our society.
While this vile attack was targeted at innocent Muslims leaving prayers during the holy month of Ramadan, it is also an assault on all our shared values of tolerance, freedom and respect. Any attack on a particular faith or a place of worship – is an attack on all of us. We have to protect each other’s faith. Terrorists irrespective of colour want to divide us, and we simply can not let them win.
Furthermore, we appeal to our Temples and other Places of Worship to remain vigilant and follow the guidance provided by the Police, especially during the challenges that we are all facing today.
The Hindu Council UK condemn hatred, racism, prejudice, and violence in all its forms; and we are committed to working with other faiths and those of none in supporting each other for a kinder and more tolerant society.
It is vital, now more than ever, to stand together and not let those who seek hate to divide us to succeed. What we need now is more openness to eradicate all forms of extremism.
“We have far #MoreInCommon than that which divides us”
Sanjay Jagatia
Director/Secretary General
On behalf of the Co-Chairs, Trustees, Director and Executive Representatives of the Hindu Council UK