Faith leaders across Bradford have issued a united statement condemning child sexual exploitation, opposing groups who could stir up ‘hatred and violence’ and making a united commitment to work for together for ‘peace, justice and the wellbeing of all’.
The statement from leaders with the Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim and Sikh communities in the city, came before the atrocities in Paris last weekend.... And on the eve of a Peace Rally outside City Hall, and ahead of a planned EDL march at the weekend.
Bradford Religious Leaders’ Statement, 12 November 2015
“This statement comes from leaders within the Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim and Sikh communities of Bradford and district As religious leaders in Bradford we stand together, committed to praying and working for the good of this great city and district. We believe that our different faiths and traditions teach us to respect one another, and to value our neighbours and our common life.
“At this time our hearts go out to all those who have suffered from child sexual exploitation: victims, their families and their friends. We say, together with the ‘United Keighley’ campaign: “any sexual abuse of children is wrong: whoever does it, whenever, wherever. It is morally, legally and spiritually wrong. It harms our children, it harms all of us. There is no place for it in this city and district or anywhere else, and we utterly condemn it.
“We are proud of Bradford’s heritage as a city in which people of many different backgrounds, cultures and faiths have lived together for many years. We stand together against any person or group who would seek to set us against each other, or to stir up hatred and violence.
“We stand together with the people and the great institutions of this city: our local government, our schools, colleges and university, our businesses, our public, health and emergency services and our voluntary sector. We commit ourselves to work together for peace, justice and the wellbeing of all.”