Council of Faiths statement re 9 October

Almost as soon as it was announced publicly that the English Defence League was going to be mounting a demonstration in Leicester, the Council of Faiths went public with a response. In the Leicester Mercury, 8 September, our Chair, Manjula Sood, was quoted as saying,

We saw what happened in Bradford and we don't want the same thing here in Leicester.
We have built a reputation of community cohesion. We are not perfect but other cities look to us as an example of cohesion and we don't want to damage that.
Anything which disrupts the harmony of the city is not welcome - and that includes extremism in all its forms.

However, a lot has been said since then. Over the past week or so, an increasing number of community-led organisations in Leicester have been issuing public statements ahead of the demonstration by the English Defence League (EDL) and counter-demonstration by Unite Against Fascism (UAF) in the city centre tomorrow (Saturday 9 October). We woouldn't want to make it look as if we have nothing to say on the matter, so we've produced a formal statement of our own. The text, which was sent to our contacts Leicester City Council, Leicestershire County Council and the Leicester Mercury this afternoon for wider distribution, reads as follows:

"WE HAVE FAITH IN LEICESTER!"

A statement by Leicester Council of Faiths

Friday 8 October 2010

Since its formation in 1986, Leicester Council of Faiths has worked to promote trust, understanding and co-operation among the city’s faith communities. It is recognised as a key player in establishing, maintaining and promoting Leicester as a place where people of different religions and beliefs co-exist peacefully. Leicester Council of Faiths works alongside other groups and organisations which encourage mutual respect, community cohesion and a world-embracing vision. It has long been a leader in informing, consulting and engaging civic institutions, local authorities and service providers on issues affecting the faith communities, as well as offering support and inspiration to our city’s ongoing regeneration. Its members include representatives of Leicester’s Bahá'ís, Buddhists, Christians, Hindus, Jains, Jews, Muslims and Sikhs.

As we approach our twenty-fifth anniversary, it becomes clear that the spirit of mutual support among our faith communities is lively, robust and strong – particularly in the face of the challenges currently facing our city. Leicester Council of Faiths presents a united voice in expressing our opposition to any attempts to spoil the good relations enjoyed by the diverse communities who go to make up our “One Leicester”. We see an injury to one as an injury to all. Likewise, we are committed to joining our fellow citizens in a collective effort to heal the wounds caused by bigotry, intolerance and prejudice – from whatever source they may come.

We express our confidence in Leicester City Council and in Leicestershire Constabulary to keep the streets of Leicester safe and the people of Leicester secure this weekend. We urge members of Leicester’s faith communities to carry on with their normal lives as much as possible and not to join in confrontational activities. Better to let this pass, then return to business as usual. The Council of Faiths will be joining in the city centre celebrations on Sunday tenth, then playing an active role in Leicester Speaks (AKA Local Democracy Week) beginning Monday eleventh October. These are the kind of activities that show Leicester at its best; we’ll gladly put our energy into them.

Councillor Manjula P Sood MBE

Chair, Leicester Council of Faiths