Church of England and Lancashire Council of Mosques standing united ahead of protests
Religious leaders in Lancashire have reiterated their solidarity and togetherness in the wake of disturbances across the country which they fear could spread division in communities.
The Church of England’s Blackburn Diocese, which covers the whole county, and the Lancashire Council of Mosques have put out a joint statement calling on people of different faiths or no faith to stand ‘shoulder to shoulder’.
It comes amidst protests said to have been planned across Lancashire including in Blackpool, Preston and Blackburn today (Saturday) and violent disturbances across the country following the tragic, fatal stabbling of three young girls in Southport.
The joint statement, by Bishop Jill Duff, the Anglican Bishop of Lancaster, and Hafiz Abdul Alim, of the Lancashire Council of Mosques, said: “We, at the Church of England in Lancashire (Blackburn Diocese) and Lancashire Council of Mosques, deeply value the positive relationships that exist among individuals of diverse faiths and backgrounds in our wonderful county.
“In Lancashire we celebrate our differences and work to foster respect and strong community relations for everyone in Lancashire, regardless of their faith, race, ethnicity or background. “In the wake of the tragic events in Southport, our prayers are with the families of those affected and for the safety and security of all our communities.
Division and hate have no place
“We acknowledge the recent disturbances in other areas and understand that there may be those seeking to create division within our communities. We believe it is important that we all, as people of faith and no faith, stand united, shoulder to shoulder. Division and hate have no place in Lancashire.
“As we approach the weekend, we urge all our communities to steer clear of areas where demonstrations or counter-demonstrations may occur.
“Places of religious worship hold a special place in our hearts, and we encourage everyone to remain vigilant and report any concerns to the police promptly. We are reassured that the police will act swiftly to prevent offences and, if necessary, arrest offenders.
We also urge everyone to be mindful of the content, particularly misinformation, being circulated on social media, which serves to divide and tear down, rather than unite and build hope. We are in regular communication with the police and authorities and pray for peace for everyone.
“We pray for blessings and peace for all those who live, work, and travel in our beautiful, friendly, and cohesive county of Lancashire.”