Community Leaders Solidarity Event 2024

Community Leaders Solidarity Event

In response to the recent far-right riots, various faith and community leaders, along with politicians, gathered in unity at Almanaar’s garden on Friday, 9th August 2024. They stood together to condemn the riots and attacks against Muslims, mosques, immigrants, and their places of residence.

The participants included London’s Deputy Mayor for Communities and Justice, Dr. Debbie Weekes-Bernard; the Archdeacon of Middlesex, The Ven. Richard Frank; Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg; Rev. Sally Thomas; Sheikh Dr. Mohammed Ahdash; Joe Power MP; Cllr Sarah Addenbrooke; and Cllr Marwan Elnaghi, among others.

MCHC’s CEO, Br. Abdurahman Sayed, opened the event by welcoming all participants, thanking those who contributed to organising the event, and highlighting how the unity of the community has been demonstrated in the face of challenges and calamities.

The event was concluded with remarks from Cllr Kasim Ali, who emphasised the significance of the gathering and the commitment of those who sacrificed their Friday afternoon to stand in solidarity and unity against those who seek to divide us.

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Update: 16/08/2024

Joint Statement from Kensington & Chelsea Interfaith Steering Group

A cross section of local faith and community leaders, came together last Friday, 9 August, at the Al Manaar/Muslim Cultural Heritage Centre in response to the distressing riots that have taken place across the UK. We met to express our solidarity, unity, co-operation and, above all friendship. A number of people spoke, all expressing condolences for the families of the bereaved and sharing our revulsion at the extremist views and violent actions that have ignored the distress of the victims and spread false information to promote their racist and Islamophobic agenda.

We affirmed our stance that no-one should suffer intimidation and violence because of their religious beliefs or ethnic background. People fleeing from threat and persecution in other places should be able to find a safe place in the UK.

All agreed that Kensington and Chelsea is proud to be ethnically and religiously diverse and we will always stand together against all who seek to sew hatred and division. Together we oppose all expressions of Anti-Semitic, Anti-Islamic, racism and discrimination against minority groups.

Sadly, for security reasons, this event had to be invitation only but we shall continue to work together as one for the common good and celebrate that we have a strong community spirit and people who care for one another.