| An open letter from clergy and faith representatives in Westminster, London | An open letter from clergy and faith representatives
in Westminster, London to the worshippers of the Al Noor Mosque and Linwood
Islamic Centre in Christchurch, New Zealand We are a group of clergy and faith representatives from
seven world religions, including Islam, in Westminster, London that have been
meeting regularly for over three years. Members of our interfaith forum meet in
each other’s centres to foster good inter-religious relations and promote
community cohesion. Our meetings are convened under the auspices of Interfaith
Matters, a United Kingdom based registered charity. All members of our forum categorically condemn the
murderous and merciless attack on Muslim worshippers attending their Jumu'ah
(Friday) prayers.
We express our respect to the emergency services and
gratitude to all who have offered sympathy and support since. At this time of
suffering and sorrow, we add our heartfelt comfort and condolences to all that
have been touched by this tragedy. As clergy and faith representatives, this heinous act of
hatred does nothing other than reinforce our resolve to work together. We ask
only that the memory of those who died serves as a blessing that we may all
live by the ways of peace. They are us Bhava Bhakti devi dasi, Radha and Krishna Temple, ISKCON
London
Brother Ivan Vodopivec, Notre Dame de France Roman
Catholic Church, London
Canon Pat Browne, Roman Catholic Duty Priest to the UK
Parliament and Parish Priest of the Holy Apostles Church, Pimlico, London
Fr Michael Donaghy, Chaplain, Westminster Cathedral,
London
Imam Abdul Haque, former Imam to Westminster Muslim
Cultural Centre, London
Jai Nitai dasa, Radha and Krishna Temple, ISKCON London
Lesley Taherzadeh O’Mara, Spiritual Assembly of the
Bahá’ís of Westminster
Meeno Chawla, City Sikhs Ambassador
Rabbi (Emeritus) Dr Thomas Salamon, Westminster Synagogue
Rabbi Barry Lerer, Central Synagogue, London
Rabbi Benji Stanley, Westminster Synagogue
Rabbi Helen Freeman, West London Synagogue of British Jews
Rabbi Sam Taylor, Community Rabbi, Western Marble Arch
Synagogue
Sheikh Alomgir Ali, Founder, Tawfiq Online Learning and
former Imam of the Victoria Islamic Cultural and Education Centre
Sister Catherine Jones, Missionary Sisters of the Society
of Mary, Notre Dame de France Roman Catholic Church, London
The Revd Anthony Ball, Canon Steward and Almoner,
Westminster Abbey
The Revd Catherine Duce, Assistant Curate, St Stephen's
Rochester Row
The Revd Matthew Catterick, Vicar, St Saviour’s Church,
Pimlico
The Revd Graham M Buckle, Vicar of St Stephen’s with St
John’s, Westminster
The Revd James Johnston, Assistant Curate, St Matthew's
Westminster / St Mary le Strand, London
The Revd John Pearson-Hicks, St Barnabas Pimlico
The Revd Jon Dal Din, Director, Westminster Interfaith
The Revd Lucy Winkett, Rector, St James’s Church
Piccadilly, Westminster
The Revd Mark Dean, Chaplain and Interfaith Advisor,
University of the Arts London
The Revd Michael Redman, Anglican Bishop's Interfaith
Adviser for City of Westminster and City of London
The Revd Owen Higgs, Vicar, St Gabriel, Pimlico
The Revd Philip Chester, Vicar of St Matthew, Westminster
and Area Dean of Westminster (St Margaret)
The Revd Ralph Williamson, Vicar of St Peter's Church,
Eaton Square, London
The Revd Ru hai Shi, International Buddhist Progress
Society UK
The Revd William Whitcombe, Priest in Ordinary to HM The
Queen and Chaplain University of the Arts London
Veronica Wetten, London Fo Guang Shan Temple
Steven Derby, Director, Interfaith Matters Open Letter to Al Noor Mosque and Linwood Islamic Centre in Christchurch New Zealand.pdf
| | Public statement on the Christchurch massacre - New Zealand Baha'i Community | Public statement on the Christchurch massacre - New Zealand Baha'i Community
We express our profound sorrow at the loss of so many lives in Christchurch on Friday 15 March 2019 and condemn this attack on innocent people in their place of worship. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Muslim community and all those who are now grieving.
Such troubling events have, in the past, seen the genesis of efforts for peace and unity. It was a spate of racially motivated attacks that led to the first celebration of Race Relations Day in 1999, inspiring the Race Unity Speech Awards, an annual forum that has allowed thousands of young people to share their views on the ideal of racial harmony and the steps necessary to realise this ideal in Aotearoa.
Let this moment be the same. Let us examine the powerful and destructive social forces that have led to this tragedy, and the still more potent powers of the human spirit that can establish unity, justice and harmony in our society. Let us reflect on our shared identity, not only as New Zealanders but as members of a single human race. Let us consult earnestly with one another about the measures necessary to re-establish and safeguard the security and tranquillity of our nation. Let us one and all take decisive action to make New Zealand a true leader in demonstrating the oneness of humanity, showing the strength of our loyalty not only to our fellow New Zealanders but to the people of all other nations. Let us not content ourselves with relative excellence but strive persistently until our nation fully realises the ideals of peace, inclusivity and harmony that so many of us hold dear.
Above all, let us support youth and children in their constructive efforts. The atrocity that occurred overshadowed a day when thousands upon thousands of young people showed the strength of their desire for a just and sustainable future. Young people have great ability to drive forward important causes, such as that of racial unity and inclusivity, as they are often less encumbered by the conscious and unconscious biases that perpetuate racial prejudice and inequity.
It is the responsibility of adults to comfort and counsel our young people, to give them hope, to listen to their views, and to support their efforts towards personal growth and social change. With this loving encouragement, the young people of Aotearoa may – in the words of a well-known Bahá’í prayer for youth – "guide the wayward, lead the hapless, free the captives and awaken the heedless".
Arohanui
National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of New Zealand
| | The Waikato Interfaith Council stands in solidarity with the Muslim community | The Waikato Interfaith Council stands in solidarity with the Muslim communityTo our Muslim brothers and sisters in Christchurch and throughout New Zealand
The Waikato Interfaith Council stands in solidarity with the Muslim community in New Zealand to unequivocally condemn the appalling tragedy and loss of life at two mosques in Christchurch on Friday 15 March 2019 during afternoon prayers. Our thoughts, prayers and aroha go out to all those directly affected by this devastating event and expression of hate and intolerance. We call for people of all faiths to stand against fear and hatred by exemplifying love, goodwill and compassion towards our neighbours, and urge us all to raise our awareness of the phenomenal religious, linguistic and cultural diversity that is the human species. Tolerance is not enough. Your tears are our tears.
Members of the Waikato Interfaith Council:
Andrea Haunes (Anglican)
Brother Andrew McKean (Anglican)
Anjum Rahman (Muslim)
Dr Carrie Barber (Society of Friends)
Gayl de Boer (Bahá’í)
Gary Whyte (Presbyterian)
Jovi Abellanosa (Hamilton City Council)
Louis Paulussen (Christian)
Marshall Hope (Theosophical Society)
Mylene Rakena (LDS)
Pam Chiles (Buddhist)
Rev Dr Susan Thompson (Methodist)
Sylvie Rabinovitch-Bolstad (Jewish)
Teresa Fernandez (Catholic)
Todd Nachowitz (Jewish)
| | The Hindu Council of New Zealand (HCNZ) join with other New Zealanders in condemning the terrorist attack on the Muslims brothers and sisters | The Hindu Council of New Zealand
(HCNZ) join with other New Zealanders in condemning the terrorist attack
on the Muslims brothers and sistersTo the brothers and sisters of the Muslim community
The Hindu Council of New Zealand (HCNZ) join with other New Zealanders in condemning the terrorist attack on the Muslims brothers and sisters, performing their Friday prayer at the Deans Avenue mosque and at the Linwood Avenue mosque in the City of Christchurch. It has been confirmed that there are 49 fatalities with many others injured.
As the authorities continue to deal with what is an unprecedented and abhorrent event for New Zealand, HCNZ extend our sincere condolence to the Muslim community. Our compassionate thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims here in New Zealand and around the world.
HCNZ extend our thanks to the people of Christchurch, the emergency services and the New Zealand Police for their compassion and bravery during this terrifying time. HCNZ with all other Hindu organisations, Temples and Association (HOTA )around the country extend their heartfelt support to the Muslim community in this time of need.
As New Zealanders we stand together as a proud nation of more than 200 migrant communities, sharing the common values. No act of terrorism will divide us.
Vinod Kumar
President
Hindu Council of New Zealand | | The Religious Diversity Centre is shocked and dismayed at the violence enacted against the Muslim community | The Religious Diversity Centre is shocked and dismayed at the violence enacted against the Muslim communityThe Religious Diversity Centre is shocked and dismayed at the violence enacted today against the Muslim community in the Masjid Al Noor and the Linwood Masjid in Christchurch and indeed against all Muslims in the country.
The Religious Diversity Centre extends our deepest sympathy to our Muslim brothers and sisters in Christchurch and throughout New Zealand.
They are in our thoughts and prayers.
We join Mayor Dalziel of Christchurch in asking all New Zealanders over this coming week to go out of their way to give a simple greeting to people of a faith or culture different from their own. Let’s be proud of the diversity in our midst and show it in action!
Jocelyn Armstrong
Chairperson
Religious Diversity Centre Trust
On behalf of Trustees: Dr Zain Ali Muslim, Dr Jenny Te Paa Daniel Christian, Professor Paul Morris Jewish, Professor Edwina Pio Christian, Professor Douglas Pratt Christian, Bhai Verpal Singh Sikh, Selva Ramasami Hindu, Ven Amala Wrightson Sensei Buddhist, Chaplain Ricky Waters Christian
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