Faith leaders make joint stand against ‘hate’ on October seventh anniversary

The Archbishop of Canterbury and other UK faith leaders have issued a joint statement reflecting on the primary anniversary of the October seventh terrorist attack on Israel. 

In the statement, they lament the “horrific” suffering and lack of life within the 12 months because the “brutal” attack.

They call on people to reject “anti-Jewish hate and anti-Muslim hate”, and said that “shared humanity must bring us together”. 

The statement ends with a commitment to upholding the UK’s “proud tradition” of spiritual diversity. 

The statement was signed by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Most Rev Justin Welby, Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis, and Chair of the Mosques and Imams National Advisory Board, Imam Qari Muhammad Asim, amongst others.

The statement reads in full:

“It has been a 12 months because the brutal Hamas terrorist attacks in Israel, and the beginning of this devastating war in Gaza and beyond.

“During this time, the dimensions of human suffering has been horrific. As people of religion from Christian, Jewish and Muslim communities within the UK, while we may hold different views about facets of the conflict, we stand united in our grief and in our belief that our shared humanity must bring us together.

“Our faiths and our humanity teach us that we should always mourn for all of the innocent individuals who have lost their lives.

“In these difficult times, we must also reject those that seek to divide us. Anti-Jewish hate and anti-Muslim hate haven’t any place within the UK today. We must stand together against prejudice and hatred in all its forms.

“The UK has long been a model of various communities and religions getting together with one another. We commit to upholding and nurturing this proud tradition.”

Churches and cathedrals are holding vigils today to mark the anniversary. Among them is Salisbury Cathedral, which is holding a prayer vigil for peace in its Trinity Chapel from 12pm – 12:30pm. The cathedral said it was a possibility “to lament all who’ve lost their lives”, and “reflect, light a candle, and pray quietly with others for peace”. The vigil will end with a 20-minute silence.