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Faiths unite to condemn bombings

Report from BBC Scotland, 8 July 2005, and the Scottish Inter-Faith Council.

GCT's Stephen Smyth with Rabbi Moshe Rubin of Giffnock and Newlands Hebrew Congregation; Mr Ashraf Anjum, President of the Glasgow Central Mosque; and Mr Gurmal Singh of the city's Central Gurdwara Singh Sabha. Picture: BBC Scotland.

Leaders of different faiths have joined together in Glasgow to show solidarity amid fears that Muslims could face a backlash after the London bombings.
Police in Glasgow said there had been a couple of minor incidents following Thursday's blasts.

Some Muslims are advising each other not to go out alone, particularly women wearing headscarves.

On Friday, members of the Sikh, Jewish and Christian communities gathered with Muslims in the city's Queen's Park.

Brother Stephen Smyth, ecumenical officer with Glasgow Churches Together, said: "It is really important that the various faith communities stand together on an occasion like this to show that what unites us is much more important than anything which divides us."

Religious Leaders of Scotland unite to denounce attacks in London

Statement from the Scottish Inter-Faith Council

"We, the religious leaders and faith representatives of Scotland utterly condemn those responsible for the attacks in London yesterday and wish to express our deepest sympathies to the victims and their families.

"The scriptures and teachings of all our faiths – Baha’i, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim and Sikh denounce the use of indiscriminate violence. To justify such actions in the name of any religion is totally contrary to our values and practice.

"Our prayers are with those caught up in this tragedy and their loved ones, with the emergency services and all those caring for the victims.

"In recent years, as representatives of the diverse faiths of Scotland, we have come together on many occasions to express our shared values. We cannot allow such acts to divide us.

"Out of this terrible atrocity we must continue to work together for peace, so that people of all faiths and none can live together in respect and mutual understanding."

The statement has been endorsed by the following religious leaders of Scotland:

Mr Ashraf Anjum, President of Islamic Centre, Glasgow.
Most Rev Bruce Cameron, Primus, Scottish Episcopal Church
Allan Forsyth, Baha’i Council for Scotland
Rt Rev David Lacy, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland
Achariya Ji Mishah, Hindu Mandir
Imam Mustqeem Shah, UK Islamic Muslim, Glasgow
Ravinder Kaur Nijjar, Sikh Community, Glasgow
Most Rev. Keith Patrick O’Brien, Cardinal and Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh.
The Venerable Rewatha, Sri Lankan Buddhist Centre
Rabbi Rose, Edinburgh Synagogue
Rabbi Moshe Rubin, Giffnock Synagogue
Wege Singh, Guru Nanak Gurdwara, Edinburgh

The Scottish Inter Faith Council (SIFC) raises awareness of inter faith relations; facilitates dialogue between the religious leaders of Scotland (through its role as Secretariat to the Religious Leaders bi-annual meetings) and within faith communities; supports the development of inter faith structures at both local and national levels. SIFC also facilitates dialogue between faith communities and the Scottish Executive