'We Stand with Victims of Terrorism,' say Church Leaders

The Church of Scotland will join hundreds of other concerned people from across Scotland at Saturday's 'Scotland United Against Terror' rally.

The rally, to be held at 1.30pm in Glasgow's George Square, comes in the wake of foiled bomb plots in London and the attempt by two men to drive a burning jeep loaded with gas through the front doors of Glasgow Airport's main terminal.

The Kirk will be represented by the Rev Dr Graham Blount, the Scottish Churches Parliamentary Officer, and the Rev David Cameron, Moderator of the Presbytery of Glasgow.

Mr Blount said: ""At times like these, when others seek to drive a wedge between our communities, it is more important than ever that we should stand together.

"As faith communities we stand with victims of terrorism, with victims of injustice and with all who want to build peace."

A joint statement was released earlier in the week by the leaders of Scotland's various faith communities condemning the terrorist attacks. The Most Rev Keith Patrick O'Brien, spiritual head of the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland, the Rt Rev Sheilagh Kesting, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, and Allan Forsyth, Chair of the Baha'i Council for Scotland, were among those backing the statement.

"We ... utterly condemn the recent attack on Glasgow airport and incidents in London, as we do all acts of terrorism and hope that the full force of the law will be brought to bear on those who perpetrate such violence against innocent people," said the leaders in the statement.

"As religious leaders, we affirm our view that any act of terrorism carried out in the name of religion is a gross perversion of the purpose of faith and is not supported by either the tenets of any of the faiths in Scotland nor by the vast majority of the followers of each faith."

A first suspect was charged by police on Friday in connection with the London and Glasgow attacks.

Bilal Abdullah is to appear in court in London on Saturday charged with conspiracy to cause explosions.

Investigations are ongoing in Britain and Australia where a number of suspects are still being held. Prime Minister Gordon Brown said on Friday that the investigations are "getting to the bottom" of a militant cell behind the failed attacks.