MCB the country commemorated the 10th anniversary of July 7 2005 London terrorist bombings at the Islamic Cultural Centre in London. (Photo: MCB)
Elham Asaad Buaras
Muslims from across the country commemorated the 10th anniversary of July 7 2005 London terrorist bombings and the 20th anniversary of genocide in Srebrenica, Bosnia Herzegovina.
To mark the events, the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) organised a national Iftar (breaking of fast) at the Islamic Cultural Centre in London. Muslim leaders were joined by leaders from other faiths and civil society organisations.
MCB, Secretary General, Dr Shuja Shafi, said defying the terrorist meant an “increase in our bonds of unity, not to single out any one group of people for blame or opprobrium, especially if they had nothing to do with such carnage and have actively spoken out against it.”
Similar events were held around the country including in Harrow where senior faith figures congregat at the Shi’a Ithna’ashari Community of Middlesex (SICM) in North Harrow on July 6.
The Mayor of Harrow, Krishna Suresh and members of local faith groups including over 30 members from three local churches and a synagogue also shared an iftar meal with local Muslims.
“This event was an opportunity to pray for the victims of the London bombings ten years ago; to pray for those massacred in Srebrenica twenty years ago; and to pray for all victims of terror and unjust killings throughout the world,” said SICM, Executive Committee member.
“Those murdered on 7/7 represent the diversity of our city – Muslims were amongst those killed; and scores of Muslims as well as colleagues of mine from the British Medical Association stood up to tend to the wounded, give blood and pray for the victims,” said SICM trustee, Dr Nizar Merali. “What is important is to increase the bonds of unity and friendship and not divide us – and that’s what we have tried to do over the last decade with the local communities.”
Reverend John Swarbrick from North Harrow Methodist Church noted that political leaders “must be seen to be doing something – but identifying that something in a way that brings communities together rather than driving them further apart is becoming increasingly intractable.”
Rabbi Michael Hilton of Kol Chai Synagogue praised the “amazing community” at SICM after encouraging the #WalkTogether initiative as, “a way to meet new people because the way to remember hatred is to make new friends”.
Rev. David Tuck from St Alban’s Church brought twelve people from his congregation “We all share the shame and the horror of the terrible things that are done in the name of religion – all religions, our religions, whether in New York or London, Tunisia or Burma, Balkans or Sri Lanka, or Nigeria.”
When referring to what could be done more locally “where Muslims, brothers and sisters, are being made to feel increasingly isolated and threatened”, referring to the growth in Islamophobia, he talked about our ongoing work: “if we keep on trusting and loving [each other], it will make a difference. We shall live in harmony together here in Britain.”
