Israel-Gaza: Bucks faith leaders unite against violence

L to R: Countess Howe, Rt Rev Dr Alan Wilson, Muthu Mardawan, Imam Abdul Dayan, Kevin Piper, Gerald Knight, Rev Canon Rosie Harper, Rabbi Neil Janes

A group of faith leaders has made a display of unity in response to the Israel-Gaza conflict.

Seven leaders read out an interfaith statement at Buckinghamshire council offices in Aylesbury.

Leaders from the British Bahá'í, Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim, and Quaker communities in Buckinghamshire said: "There are many friendships between us.

"We have stood together through both peaceful and challenging days."

The statement condemned hate crimes against Muslim and Jewish communities, adding that antisemitism, Islamophobia and Hinduphobia were "unacceptable."

• Listen to the full statement here

"We call on all fellow citizens to stand up and speak out against every form of hate", the group said.

They added that faith communities may sometimes have "different loyalties", but that they "can disagree respectfully and without resorting to violence or hate".

The leaders spoke of their determination "to do our utmost to prevent violence and intimidation across our county, whether on the streets, in places of worship, in schools, in universities, or in any other institutions".

"We are on the side of life," they said. "We feel compassion with and we pray for all who are caught up in this horror.

"We share our prayers for an ultimate end to war."

The statement was introduced by Countess Howe, Lord-Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire, and was read out in order by:

• The Right Reverend Dr Alan Wilson, Bishop of Buckingham

• Muthu Mardawan, President of the Aylesbury Hindu Temple Trust

• Imam Abdul Dayan, Head of Chaplaincy, HM Prison and Probation Service

• Gerald Knight, Vale of Aylesbury Bahá'ís

• Kevin Piper, Clerk of Trustees for the Chiltern Area Quaker Meeting

• The Reverend Canon Rosie Harper, Chaplain to the Bishop of Buckingham

• Rabbi Neil Janes, Rabbi of South Bucks Jewish Community