Archbishop of Canterbury visits Leicester

The Federation of Muslim Organisations (FMO) was honoured to be involved in the visit of 
the Archbishop of Canterbury, The Most. Revd Justin Welby on his visit to Leicester. The 
Archbishop’s visit was part of the Meissen Delegation, which is a partnership between 
Anglo-German churches. The event was put together by Revd Canon Dr John Hall, Director 
of St Philip’s Centre – a study and engagement charity supported by the Diocese of Leicester 
which is rooted in strengthening inter-faith relations.
The Archbishop was accompanied to Leicester by the Bishop of Leicester – The Rt Revd Tim 
Stevens, the Bishop of Bradford – The Rt Revd Nick Baines, the Bishop of Woolwich – The 
Rt Revd Michael Ipgrave and the Bishop of Pontefract – The Rt Revd Tony Robinson.
The Archbishop’s visit was unfortunately set against the tragic background in Woolwich 
where Drummer Lee Rigby was mercilessly slaughtered in broad daylight. The Archbishop 
spoke along with Sheikh Ibrahim Mogra from the Muslim Council of Britain to express his 
shock and sadness at the tragic events of this week.
The FMO welcomes the Archbishop’s thoughtful and considered words in which he 
emphasised the need for calm and for communities to continue their efforts in strengthening 
their common bonds. The FMO also welcomes Sheikh Mogra’s statement which reflects the 
feeling of the wider Muslim community that the abhorrent acts perpetrated in Woolwich were 
wholly and completely ‘un-Islamic’.

24th May 2013
Suleman Nagdi MBE DL
Mobile 07759 446555 – s.nagdi@hotmail.com