Fear and anxiety immediately followed the riots which spread across England last week, with Muslims in particular afraid to leave the house because of the hatred and violence on the streets. But in this Religion Media Centre briefing, faith leaders described how within 24 hours, faith and community leaders sought and found solidarity and support from their neighbours, other faith groups, police, councils and what has been seen as the vast majority of the British public, appalled at what they were witnessing.
Speakers made clear that these were race riots. No group has felt safe and communities of all kinds felt “triggered” by the fact that angry racist outbursts emerged so quickly and were so widespread. The contrast between violence and the overnight reversal to peace has left concerns and questions, which faith leaders addressed in this discussion. Questions about British identity, the need to call out and stop Islamophobia, the need for a government strategy for social cohesion, the essential work of continuing conversations in local communities, and the challenge for teachers dealing with the aftermath when schools return in September.
Many of the participants on this call took part in the Religion Media Centre’s Creating Connections events, bringing together faith representatives and the media in towns and cities across England. The host is Leo Devine and the speakers include RE advisers and teachers Ed Pawson, Dr Kate Christopher and Manju Kaur; Muslim leaders Julie Siddiqi and Imam Musharraf Hussein; Community leaders Amrick Singh Ubhi and Rev Dr Israel Oluwole Olofinjana; and journalists Gary Newby, Content Editor at ITV News Central, and Alex Strangwayes-Booth, formerly BBC and now with CTVC.
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Faith community leaders rebuilding society after the riots
Faith community leaders from across England have spoken of anxiety and fear especially among Muslim women after the violent disorder in more than 20 cities and towns earlier this month.
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