THE REVD
PAUL TRATHEN
(CHAPLAIN OF
FOREST SCHOOL & VICAR OF ST PETER’S-IN-THE-FOREST)
DR MOHAMMED
FAHIM
(IMAM OF
SOUTH WOODFORD MOSQUE AND HONORARY VISITING CHAPLAIN OF FOREST SCHOOL)
FRIDAY 4
OCTOBER 2013
STATEMENT BEGINS
The attacks on All Saints' church, Peshawar, and the Westgate
Shopping Centre in Nairobi tell us nothing new about terrorism.
The murderous targeting of non-Muslims in Nairobi, and Christians, in particular, in Peshawar are depressingly similar in type, if not in scale, to a series of attacks in other parts of the world, such as Egypt, Syria, and northern Nigeria. Indeed, there is seldom anything new in terror, merely new victims.
The murderous targeting of non-Muslims in Nairobi, and Christians, in particular, in Peshawar are depressingly similar in type, if not in scale, to a series of attacks in other parts of the world, such as Egypt, Syria, and northern Nigeria. Indeed, there is seldom anything new in terror, merely new victims.
Reactions in both Kenya and Pakistan have been greatly
encouraging. Both governments announced a three-day period of mourning. The new
Pakistani President, Mamnoon Hussain, and the Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif,
denounced the bombing. The Kenyan President, Uhuru Kenyatta, spoke of the loss
undergone by the "national family". Islamic leaders have condemned
both attacks, and Muslims have joined Christians and others in queues to give
blood. Efforts of this kind are the best hope for denying the terrorists the
divisions that they wish to foster. In the light of them, Western commentators
must beware the trap of seeing the Islamic world in the same two-dimensional,
confrontational way as the terrorists.
Dr Mohammed Fahim says, "A crime is a crime! It has no
religion or race or colour. Killing of
innocent people is condemned by God in all religions. God says in the Holy Quran: ‘Killing of one
innocent soul is equivalent to killing all people, and saving one life is
equivalent to saving the whole of humanity’ (5:32)."
The Revd Paul Trathen says, “The pattern of Christian witness
throughout the centuries has been a deep commitment to justice - we pray for
justice for the victims, for justice to be established.”
On Friday 4 October, and again on Monday 7 October, we two local
faith leaders share a platform in our Chapel, a place of community in the
diverse, plural life of Forest School.
We wish to speak about peace and justice. We stand together, as brothers in faith – and
in willing service of all in our communities – to state that the loving mercy
of the Almighty is greater than the hate in terrorists’ hearts.
STATEMENT ENDS
For further
details or comment –or to arrange photography or interview - please contact
either The Revd Paul Trathen at chaplain@forest.org.uk or Dr Mohammed Fahim drmohammed.fahim@gmail.com
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