Let Us Renew Our Pledges to Work Together to Defeat Extremism
We have been greatly concerned with the recent events relating to the alleged terror plot where MP Sir David Amess was brutally murdered, we condemn this act in the strongest terms.
We paraphrase and reflect the kind words of Father Jeff Woolnough, parish priest at nearby St Peter’s Catholic Church when he said we must all speak with unity and one voice of the many religions, faiths, non-faith, ethnicities, denominations, colours and creeds that make up modern Britain.
We, in each in our own way find ourselves on the front line of the battle against the many different forms of extremists, people who sow hate and prey on young people to encourage them to harm themselves, their families and the fabric of the communities in which they live.
Many of us work every day to protect young people at risk from all forms of radicalisation, but it is a daily battle and one that demands a coordinated and concerted response. We must reach across the boundaries of our backgrounds to come together in unity with one aim in mind – to protect our communities, our families, our young people and our way of life. United, we declare that we reject the lies that extremists spread and that we refuse to allow them to groom our young people and destroy our democratic structures, families and communities.
Let us renew our pledge to work together to defeat their poisonous ideology: by sharing our knowledge of how extremists seek to exploit young and vulnerable people, by coming together to meet regularly, and to agree a co-ordinated effort to protect and empower members of the communities in which we live, by saying simply and clearly with one voice: enough is enough. We invite everyone who loves life – whether in voluntary or private sector, government or non-government – to join in shaping these solutions, because we face a common and determined enemy, therefore it demands a common and determined response.
The FMO would principally call for restraint and ask the general public to remain vigilant and ensure that we all contribute in maintaining public safety. At this point in time the FMO is not minded to make any further statements in respect of this, as we do not wish to prejudice the guilt or otherwise of those that have been arrested until the investigation have been concluded.
We are committed to maintaining law and order and encourage all the faith and non-faith communities to work together with the law enforcement agencies in safeguarding the safety of the public and of our country.
We wish to offer our heartfelt condolences to the family of Sir David and pray that the Almighty give them the strength to deal with this tragedy.
Suleman Nagdi
Federation of Muslim Organisations
