The Archbishop of Canterbury, Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis and the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Westminster Cardinal Vincent Nichols have joined two of Britain’s most prominent Sunni and Shia imams, Imam Dr Sayed Razawi, Chief Imam and Director General of Scottish Ahlul Bayt Society and Imam Qari Asim, Chairman of Mosques and Imams National Advisory Board in a letter to The Times to praise those who volunteered to repair damage caused by rioters, and to condemn the violence.
Sir, Over the last few days we have watched in horror as a small minority has brought hatred, violence and vandalism to towns and cities across the country. We have seen anti-Muslim hatred and the targeting of mosques; asylum seekers and refugees attacked; violence directed towards the police and private property, all of which are a stain on our national moral conscience.
Every British citizen has a right to be respected and a responsibility to respect others, so that together we can build a cohesive and harmonious society for all.
As faith leaders, we salute the many people who have stepped forward to repair damage and restore their neighbourhoods. We pledge to work with government and all sections of society towards a constructive and compassionate dialogue on immigration and social cohesion.
The Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis
The Most Rev Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury
Imam Dr Sayed Razawi, Chief Imam and Director General of Scottish Ahlul Bayt Society
Imam Qari Asim, Chairman of Mosques and Imams National Advisory Board
Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster
