Christians, Muslims Continue Good Relations after Foiled Terrorist Plots

|TOP|Faith leaders in the communities from which the flight bombing terrorist suspects come have condemned all terrorism and reaffirmed their commitment to work together.

In a joint statement issued earlier in the week, Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, Jewish and Sikh leaders in Birmingham called for justice and the building of mutual respect, according to The Church Times.

The faith leaders said the taking of innocent lives was indefensible in any of their religious traditions.

Christian and Muslim communities in High Wycombe expressed their shock at the revelations that the terror suspects came from their neighbourhoods.

|AD|"High Wycombe has a long history of multiculturalism," they said a joint statement. "We urge politicians and the media to be judicious in their use of language at a time of heightened sensitivities."

The Revd David Picken, Team Rector of High Wycombe, said on Wednesday: "There is now a time needed for reflection. One of the positive things is that we are committed to have a regular forum to discuss community issues, and also faith issues."

Canon Dr Anne Davison has been adviser to the Bishop of Chelmsford’s on interfaith relations for the past 13 years.

She said that the communities in Newham and Walthamstow in east London had put a great deal of effort into building up good relationships.

“I think the will is there and strong enough to see us through this. A lot of work has been going on in the past ten years, especially since 9/11, and we are doing all we can to keep good relationships going,” she said.

Faithworks also urged the public to avoid religious labelling. "We encourage all people to show compassion and restraint in their attitudes towards the Muslim community,” the organisation urged, according to The Church Times.