London: The Oxford Foundation in partnership with the Secretary for Inter Religious Affairs to the Archbishop of Canterbury, The Al-Khoei Foundation and the Clothworkers’ Company held a United for Peace – London’s Communities United Against Extremism Service interspersed with silent reflection and beautiful music at the historic Clothworkers’ traditional Livery Hall which is a unique venue in the heart of the City of London where the Clothworkers’ Company motto for nearly 600 years has been, “My Trust is in God Alone.”
The United for Peace Service had messages of support from His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales who hoped that the prayers at the Service will lead to that “Peace which passeth all human understanding” and Prime Minister Theresa May who stated that “Tackling extremism is not something the Government can do alone. The United for Peace: London’s Communities United Against Extremism service in London demonstrates that when people of all faith backgrounds come together, we are stronger in our fight against extremism.”
The Service was graced with senior faith representatives and civic leaders from multiple faith traditions and none which included prayers and sacred hymms from the Muslim, Christian, Jewish, Sikh, Hindu, Buddhist, Zoroastrian and Humanist traditions. It also included powerful speeches against violent extremism by Mike Hains OBE, whose brother David Haines, A British humanitarian worker, was killed by the terrorist group “Daesh” which commonly calls itself as “IS” and Ahmad Nawaz who is a survivor of the Peshawar School attack and lost his brother Haris Nawaz along with 131 of his fellow students and 17 members of staff who were killed by the Taliban.
The Service was concluded by a pledge for peace where all who were in attendance pledged to stand united against those who propagate hatred and violence towards others, including violent extremism and to live by the core values that are inherent in our traditions which are values of compassion, common understanding, respect and mutual love for all. Report by S M Irfan Tahir Photojournalist / Member National Union of Journalists (NUJ) Great Britain.
