The Bishop of Birmingham is among those urging people who oppose anti-Islam group Pegida to share a cup of tea with someone from another ethnic, cultural or religious background.
The "Hope not Hate" pledge is being organised to counter the next event of Pegida UK, the organisation that holds protests against what it describes as "mass immigration and Islamisation of the West" and is led by Tommy Robinson, formerly of the English Defence League.
The march set to take place in Birmingham on Saturday, February 6 at midday is described by Pegida UK as a "peaceful, silent walk".
The pledge states Birmingham has "a long and proud tradition" as a diverse and harmonious city. Birmingham's churches, mosques, synagogues, gurdwaras and temples, trade unions and community groups have a reputation for working tirelessly to help people in the city, whatever their faith or ethnic background.
"The benefits of our diversity can be felt in every element of our city, and we celebrate the contribution of our teachers, healthcare workers, lawyers, business-owners, politicians, artists and poets (among many others) who come from a diverse range of backgrounds," the pledge states.
Known historically as the "city of a thousand trades", people have always come from around the world to work in Birmingham, and still do to this day.
"Unfortunately despite our proud history, we have been 'chosen' as the target for the British leg of a European 'day of action' targeting Muslim communities, taking place on 6 February," the pledge continues.
When the English Defence League organised a march in Birmingham in 2013, more than 50 people were jailed for a total of more than 75 years, thousands of pounds of damage was done and 30 police officers were injured.
"As proud people of Birmingham, we wish to declare that Pegida are not welcome and have nothing to offer our city --- apart from a huge bill for policing and the clear up operation after they have gone," the pledge states, urging supporters "to arrange to sit down and drink a cup of tea with someone from another community that we do not know well and explore what we have in common" and "take pictures together with people from different ethnic, cultural or religious backgrounds and post them with the slogan: 'We choose HOPE'."
The Bishop of Birmingham David Urquhart is among the supporters of the pledge. It is also backed by the Bishop of Aston, Catholic church leaders, the chair of the Birmingham Methodist District and representatives of Birmingham mosques and synagogues as well as MPs from all parties.
Labour MP Liam Byrne told the Birmingham Mail: "Brummies are proud of the diversity that makes our city great. So we're not going to let the far right march in here and spread their lies, fear and hatred. So we need everyone and anyone to sign Hope Not Hate's petition – and sign it pronto."
