Members of the Birmingham Faith Leaders’ Group gathered for Friday Prayers today, at Birmingham Central Mosque, to express their dismay and abhorrence at the terrorist attack earlier today on the Al Noor and Linwood Mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand.

Leaders from all six of Birmingham’s largest faith communities expressed their sorrow at the loss of life, and their sympathy with the families, loved ones and communities affected; and their solidarity with the nation of New Zealand as the aftermath of these atrocities is faced.

The leaders shared the sense of outrage felt right across Birmingham’s communities today, at this attack on faith. They declared their intention to stand in solidarity, especially with those in our city who now feel violated and vulnerable as a consequence of murderous acts on the other side of the world.

The Birmingham Faith Leaders’ Group endorsed the statement issued this morning by Birmingham Central Mosque, which was read out to worshippers during Friday Prayers, especially in it reaffirmation that “there is no justification whatsoever for such acts of horrific violence and brutality, which is completely against the good of humanity. Those responsible must be brought to justice to protect good, in our constant fight to eradicate evil within humanity.”

Finally, the Birmingham Faith Leaders gathered on the Mosque steps and, led by Rabbi Yossi Jacobs, Chief Minister at Singers Hill Synagogue, to share in a joint prayer for guidance, protection and justice, concluding, “O Lord, keep us and preserve us in life and in security to rejoice in Your world and let us say Amen!”