LEICESTER CITY COUNCIL'S EQUALITY & DIVERSITY CHARTER

Here's the text of Leicester City Council's Equality & Diversity Charter, launched at a meeting in the Town Hall today. The charter confirms (and elaborates on) the city Council's commitment to its Public Sector Equality Duty, which came into force in England, Scotland and Wales on 11 April 2011, replacing previous duties in relation to disability, gender and race equality duties. This triune duty comprises the tasks set in bold immediately below.

Leicester City Council is committed to equality of opportunity, elimination of discrimination, and promotion of good relations between all people.

We are proud of, and celebrate, our city's diversity.

We recognise that people have differing needs.

When allocating resources we will be clear on how we have prioritised individual and community needs.

We will treat people with respect.

We will provide accessible information on our services, community activities and events we support.

We will aim to deliver services that are accessible and culturally appropriate to those using them.

when making important decisions about local public services we will engage with local residents and communities.

We will work with our employees to ensure that equality is embedded in the workplace.

We have developed an equality and diversity strategy which reflects this commitment.

If you are a member of the public who uses our services, you can find out more about our commitment to equality and diversity at leicester.gov.uk/equalityanddiversity

If you are a council employee, you can find out more about putting equality and diversity at the centre of what you do at insite/equalities

The charter is signed by Sir Peter Soulsby (City Mayor) and Cllr Manjula Sood MBE (Assistant City Mayor: Community Involvement, Partnerships and Equalities - and Chair of Leicester Council of Faiths)

MUSLIMS SHOCKED BY HATE KILLING

There are four of these blue boxes around the city centre, housing vendors of the Leicester Mercury. This one is at the top of Gallowtree Gate, near British Home Stores. Each of the blue boxes had this headline poster on it. I think this was a good thing to say in public and I  wanted to record it.

LEICESTERSHIRE POLICE UPDATE, 24 MAY 2013

Dear George

As a trusted partner we felt it important to give you a quick update this morning with regards to any local incidents which may be related to events in Woolwich.

It’s reassuring to report that the people of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland remained calm and there has been no incident or activity since our last update.

We did arrest a 42-year-old man yesterday for possession of an offensive weapon after he was seen in Wordsworth Road in the Welford Road area of Leicester with a large knife. However, we must stress that this was an isolated incident and in no way connected to domestic extremism. If you are approached by anyone in your community about this incident today please reassure them that this man is in custody and there are no extremist links.

Local officers will continue their work in their neighbourhoods, linking in with faith groups and partners, listening to concerns of our communities and to give reassurance. 

There is still no intelligence to suggest there will be a negative reaction to events in London but we will continue to monitor this and will update you of any developments. Similarly, if anyone in your community has any information and concerns they can help us in our efforts by calling 101.

Once again, thank you for your help and assistance over the past few days. The people of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland are very proud of the excellent community relations and the respect we have for different cultures, communities and religious beliefs and the vast majority clearly want this to continue.

Rob Nixon

Chief Superintendent
Leicester City BCU Commander

BISHOP OF LEICESTER STATEMENT RE WOOLWICH INCIDENT

As you can imagine, faithful reader, many comments and statements will be made regarding events in Woolwich, Wednesday 22 May 2013. I'm posting a selection of these on the blog, limited to relevant organisations with which Leicester Council of Faiths is involved to some extent. Below is a statement issued today by the Bishop of Leicester:

The Bishop of Leicester, Rt Rev Tim Stevens, has called on communities to remain calm following the horrific murder in Woolwich, London on Wednesday afternoon.

The Bishop said, "I am deeply distressed by reports of this barbaric attack which took place in front of passers-by in a street in South London. It has been confirmed that the victim was a serving soldier and the Prime Minister has said that there were "strong indications that it is a terrorist attack". The police now need to be allowed to do their job and ascertain the facts behind what took place.

"Individuals who commit such crimes in the name of religion or politics stand at odds with the compassionate shared values which we stand for as a society. Such acts aim to divide our communities and I call upon everyone to remain calm and united. At this deeply tragic time, my prayers and thoughts are for the victim and those who knew him, but also those many ordinary people traumatised by this shocking and wholly unjustified event".

BRITISH HINDU VOICE STATEMENT RE WOOLWICH INCIDENT

As you can imagine, faithful reader, many comments and statements will be made regarding the incident in Woolwich, Wednesday 22 May 2013. I'm posting a selection of these on the blog, limited to relevant organisations with which Leicester Council of Faiths is involved to some extent. Below is a statement by British Hindu Voice ("a think tank and a single voice for the Hindu and Jain Communities in Leicester and Leicestershire") issued today in the name of the Chair, Mr Vinod Popat:

The British Hindu Voice (BHV) today condemned the murder of a serving British Officer. The Chair of BHV Vinod Popat stated “I am shocked by the news of the murder that happened in  broad daylight on a British street. The gruesome nature of the murder and the gloating that followed should be condemned in the strongest terms. Our thoughts and prayers are with the brave British soldier’s family”BHV urges calm at these difficult times. It is now known that the perpetrators were both Muslims and whilst we support the Islamic community in their efforts to distance from the individuals, the worry is that faiths and religion could be confused and innocent communities could be targeted. BHV will continue to work with other faiths in Leicestershire to ensure that the good harmony is maintained.

FIRST PERSON: RELIGION CAN'T BE DEFENCE FOR BRUTAL KILLINGS

Suleman Nagdi has written the First Person column in today's Leicester Mercury:

Religion can't be defence for brutal killings

Suleman Nagdi says the murder of a soldier on a London Street betrays all Muslims

The shocking murder which took place on Wednesday has left me appalled and angry. Appalled at the brutality and savageness of the murder of an innocent man and angry that this wanton act of violence is being labelled as "Islamic".

The Federation of Muslim Organisations (FMO) rightly condemned in the strongest terms possible what occurred. I concur with our Prime Minister when he said: "This was not just an attack on Britain. It was a betrayal of Islam and the Muslim communities who give so much to our country."

I must begin by expressing sympathy and condolences to the family of the dead soldier, who have lost their loved one as a result of inexplicable violence.

It is shocking that this tragedy happened in broad daylight.

Eyewitness accounts describe the depth of psychotic callousness with which the killers acted – killers whose motives are irrelevant, as the crime itself demonstrates an extreme level of psychological disturbance.

I am numb and outraged that two people intent on violence have hijacked my faith to such an end. This is a complete distortion of the true meaning of Islam.

It betrays all Muslims who have peace and compassion in their hearts and particularly those in our Muslim communities across the UK who work for the security of our nation.

Such a brutal act of murder cannot be justified using religion as a defence. Islam places the highest value on life and safeguarding a single human life is tantamount to safeguarding all life.

It is truly distressing to see the extreme right opportunistically using this tragedy to spout their vicious racist hatred and sadder still to see that some people are responding to this incident by joining their extreme cause.

Most Muslims I have spoken to have been distressed by the fact they are being made to defend themselves when the deranged killings have nothing to do with them or their religion.

The killers' motives are political and their methods are criminal.

The tensions felt by British Muslims will be exacerbated in the days to come by those who blame all Muslims for the actions of two psychotic men, who may happen to be Muslim.

As reports of two lone attacks on mosques in Britain are covered in the media, it is imperative that all of our communities, Muslim and non-Muslim, come together in solidarity to ensure the forces of hatred do not prevail.

It is important we allow our police authorities to do their job without speculation. We also urge the utmost vigilance and ask the police authorities to calm tensions and ensure this tragedy does not unfold into greater tragedy.

Suleman Nagdi is chairman of Leicestershire Faith Forum [sic] and spokesman for the Federation of Muslim Organisations.

SORRY TO SEE END OF INSPIRING PLACE

This letter appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Sorry to see end of inspiring place

I was sorry to learn of the demise of Groundwork based at Western Park.

I worked there when it was known as Environ about 10 years ago.

I worked on the organic garden at Eco-House and also created a small wildlife pond in another part of the area at the back of the main office.

I also went on a beekeeping course at Brooksby College, near Melton, which was funded by Environ, where I learned about the fascinating life of bees.

I hope the enterprise remaining at Western Park can still be used as an environmental concern so it can educating the public on ecology and the natural environment.

It was an inspirational place for me as I love working with nature and organic gardening and the use of a sustainable way of life by recycling in all aspects of my life.

Phil Dews, Anstey

SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT ON FUNDS FOR CHURCH GARDEN

This letter appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Setting the record straight on funds for church garden

RJ Bingham ("Why not everything in these gardens is lovely", Mailbox, May 20) is concerned about the Diocese of Leicester's plans for funding Cathedral Gardens.

He wittily suggests that as the wall obstructing views in and out of the Guildhall is currently being reduced, so we also remove the "wall of silence" from the diocese on the whole topic, although the rest of his/her letter seems to contain remarkably few actual questions on which we could be accused of being silent.

What it does contain is a number of inaccurate statements, which I'm glad of the chance to respond to.

Firstly it speaks of the diocese "accepting a £1.9 million grant from the city".

I'm not sure where these figures are supposed to have come from but the fact is that no such "grant" exists.

What is proposed is that the city will undertake work to the adjacent highways that it is responsible for, which is likely to amount to about £1.5 million.

The city's capital programme is there for public works and this is an excellent example of such works that will bring benefit to the whole city and its many and increasing number of visitors – which will, of course, itself bring benefits to the local economy.

The cathedral is looking to raise the balance of the funds needed from grants and benefactors – a significant amount of which has already been pledged.

Then the suggestion is made that by entering into constructive partnership with the city authorities in one area, the Church somehow forgoes the right to be critical of any other aspects of their work.

The truth is that, as a Church, we are always ready both to support those in need – as witness the considerable work already carried out both from St Martin's House and parishes up and down the city and county.

We are also always ready to speak up where there is a proper case to be made. Bishop Tim has been foremost among those challenging the Government cuts which are themselves the background to the changes the city has been forced into in its support for homeless people.

Finally, that old cliché about "the Church's millions" is rolled out.Yes, the diocese has capital assets – though considerably less than many local individuals, for example.

These are held in trust for a wide range of work, mainly for the support of parishes, and are fully put to use for that purpose.

The cathedral, unlike more ancient foundations, has very meagre endowment funds and it's just not true to say it can lay out large sums on a whim.

What it can do – and is doing under the leadership of David Monteith, its new Dean – is offer a generous welcome in God's name to all the people who live in or visit our city and provide a healthy challenge to the dominant story of our age, that money is all and the things of the spirit are of no significance.

We have a story that began in one garden in Eden, passes through another in Gethsemane and ends in a heaven often portrayed as a garden of paradise. It's no surprise we'd like to welcome as many as possible through our own gardens in the years to come – and will gladly partner with whoever shares our vision for the healing of humanity.

Pete Hobson, acting Canon Missioner, Leicester Cathedral

CITY DIVERSITY IS REASON FOR PRIDE

This letter appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

City diversity is reason for pride

What a very great pleasure to read your Diversity Day supplement and editorial (Mercury, May 21) and the recognition of the achievements, challenges and dedicated and consistent leadership at every level and in every community that makes Leicester so special.

It struck a good chord of commitment to working with difference and the reality that it's not all plain sailing and can be downright difficult.

While the focus was on race and nationality, diversity embraces age, gender, religion, sexuality, disability and all aspects of difference and it would be great to see that reflected in your next supplement, as I think it is generally throughout the year.

The words of the Chief Superintendent and the Mercury Editor were extremely welcome.

Can you tell readers how you are using the Leicester experience to inform policing and media at a national level? It is needed.

Both institutions – police and media – are in the spotlight and have a significant impact on the wider agenda, so it would be good to know that our local leaders are also influencing the national debates and standards.

Linden Rowley, Blaby

MERCURY OPINION: TERRORISM MUST NEVER DIVIDE US

This is from the Mercury Opinion column in today's Leicester Mercury:

Terrorism must never divide us

It is a sad reflection of the turbulent times in which we live that Muslim leaders have had to swiftly put out public statements condemning the utterly horrific and barbaric murder of a soldier in London on Wednesday afternoon. They should not need to do so any more than any other group.

The people who carried out this atrocious attack are hopelessly deluded and misguided individuals and do not remotely reflect the values of the Muslim community.

However, Muslims have been so demonised over the past few years that an incident such as this fuels unwarranted suspicion and reprisals, as we have seen in London with attacks on mosques.

It is in this febrile atmosphere that Muslim leaders have had to react quickly to make it clear that the actions of the killers are condemned by the Islamic community and do not represent its values and beliefs.

Apparently, the killers chanted the name of Allah during their vile attack. People who have committed atrocities throughout history have proclaimed religious faith, as though their appalling actions have some sort of divine sanction. In reality, they are simply using the name of a faith to try to justify their own crimes. Their behaviour bears no relation to the teachings of the religions they proclaim.

Defeating terrorism is not just the work of the police and security services but wider society, too. It is about being united and showing the terrorists that people in this country stand shoulder-to-shoulder with one another in the name of peace whatever their faith and background. Those who demonise Muslims or attack mosques are just continuing the division and discord that the terrorists seek.

The reality is that terrorists have nothing to do with any of us. They are people who exist on the margins of society wrapped up in their own hate-filled views. They are not part of any religion or group or community. They are isolated individuals in a hell of their own making.

Finally, let's not lose sight of what matters most here; the dreadful death of a young man in the most barbaric way imaginable. Our hearts go out to his loved ones. We cannot imagine the pain they are going through. Our sympathies seem inadequate in the face of this horror but they are all we have to give.