Violence and hatred can never be the solution
Vigil for Peace. 5pm, Sunday 5 November
We are aware of the need to draw together the diverse communities of Oxfordshire together in this time and renew bonds of friendship and a common commitment to peace.
Five hundred people of goodwill from across Oxfordshire came together for a vigil for peace in Broad Street in Oxford on Sunday 5 November at 5pm.
There were short reflections, shared grief and words of comfort offered. People lit candles and torches at 5.15pm, standing in silence as an act of solidarity with those who suffer on all sides of the conflict. Watch the BBC South report of the vigil on our YouTube channel.
Together, we are horrified by the violence that we are seeing in Israel and Palestine, and the suffering of ordinary people who have lost loved ones and who fear for their own lives and for friends and family members. We hold all the victims and their loved ones in our prayers.
We stand together here in Oxfordshire as religious and community leaders to say that we must continue the good work of community and relationship building that has taken place over many years.
We support and encourage all those working to facilitate honest and respectful conversations and to strengthen the network of good relations, friendships and trust between our communities of which we in Oxfordshire are so proud.
Let peace and understanding be the solution.
Imam Monawar Hussain (Founder, The Oxford Foundation), Martin Goodman (President of the Oxford Jewish Congregation), The Rt Revd Dr Steven Croft (Bishop of Oxford), Councillor Susan Brown (Leader of Oxford City Council)
See the full list of faith and community leaders below
About the faith and community leaders group
The Bishop of Oxford and Imam Monawar Hussain first hosted faith and community leaders from across Oxfordshire on Monday 17 October. The group will meet regularly in the coming months to give a collective voice in promoting understanding, peace, and strong community relations across the area.
In addition to the vigil for peace on 5 November, the group will collectively attend the civic act of remembrance on 12 November in St Giles. The next planned meeting of the group takes place on 16 November 2023.
List of members in alphabetical order
Fiaz Ahmed, Shaikh Bin Baaz Mosque
Mark Bhagwandin, Secretary, Oxford Hindu Temple and Community Centre Project
Revd Charlotte Bannister-Parker, Founder, Hope4Creation
Cllr Susan Brown, Leader, Oxford City Council
Revd Anthony Buckley, City Rector
The Venerable Jonathan Chaffey, Archdeacon of Oxford
Rt Revd Gavin Collins, Bishop of Dorchester
The Rt Revd Dr Steven Croft, Bishop of Oxford
Surinder Dhesi DL, Banbury Sikh Community
Anneliese Dodds, MP
Penny Faust, Former Chair of Oxford Council of Faiths & Jewish community
Martin Goodman, President of the Oxford Jewish Congregation
Louise Gordon, Vice President, Oxford Jewish Congregation
Caroline Green, Chief Executive, Oxford city Council
Imam Monawar Hussain, Founder, The Oxford Foundation
Mutahar Islam, South Oxfordshire Muslim Community
Sadat Khan, President, Madina Mosque (representing Oxford Three Mosques)
Layla Moran, MP
Jawaid Malik, JP, Vice Chair, Oxford Council of Faiths and Chair, Asian Cultural Centre Association
Superintendent Bruce Riddell, LPA for city of Oxford
Sally Scott, High Sheriff of Oxfordshire
Rebecca Vickers, Chair, Oxford Council of Faiths
Dr. Reuven Ziegler, Jewish community