October 7 One Year Anniversary, United Against Hate: A Call to Action from UK Faith Leaders
“Our faiths and our humanity teach us that we should mourn for all the innocent people who have lost their lives.
As the world grapples with the devastating consequences of the ongoing Middle East conflict, UK faith leaders have come together to issue a powerful call to action: reject prejudice and hatred in all its forms. The past year has been marred by over 2,600 protests, 550 arrests, and a staggering £46 million policing bill ¹. Yet, amidst this chaos, Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis, and Imam Qari Asim have joined forces to condemn antisemitism and Islamophobia, emphasizing the need for shared humanity and solidarity across communities.
Their open letter is a heart-wrenching plea to recognize the horrific scale of human suffering and to mourn the loss of innocent lives. It’s a reminder that, despite differing views on the conflict, people of faith can stand united in their grief and commitment to compassion. The letter also underscores the urgent need to challenge stereotypes and counter the alarming rise in hate crimes. Shockingly, the Community Security Trust reported 5,583 antisemitic incidents, while Tell Mama recorded 4,971 anti-Muslim incidents, both at record levels. Iman Atta of Tell Mama urges more efforts to combat hate, and cross-community events are planned to foster remembrance and peace.
“In these challenging times, we must also reject those who seek to divide us. Anti-Jewish hate and anti-Muslim hate have no place in the UK today. We must stand together against prejudice and hatred in all its forms. “The UK has long been a model of different communities and religions getting along with each other. We commit to upholding and nurturing this proud tradition.”
In this moment of crisis, the UK’s proud tradition of interfaith harmony is more crucial than ever. Faith leaders are committed to upholding and nurturing this legacy, and we must join them. By standing together against prejudice and hatred, we can create a brighter future where all communities can thrive. As Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg so eloquently put it, “We are both on the side of life”. Let us heed this call to action and work towards a world where love, compassion, and understanding triumph over hate and division.
Picture Story – October 7 and One Year After;
