The Bishop of Oxford and Imam Monawar Hussain 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.
"We are horrified by the violence that we are seeing in lsrael 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 Oxford 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 Oxford are so proud.
"Violence and hatred can never be the solution.”
Notes for editors
- Bishop Steven has written to churches across the Diocese of Oxford, encouraging participation in a global day of prayer and fasting.
- The Oxford Diocesan Committee for Interfaith Relations (ODCIR), chaired by the Venerable Jonathan Chaffey, Archdeacon of Oxford.
- The Oxford Foundation, founded by Imam Monawar Hussain, exists to promote religious and racial harmony and good relations between persons of different faiths and racial groups. The Oxford Foundation challenges extremism in all its manifestations.
- For media enquiries, please contact Steven Buckley (07824 906 839) or Rebekah Sharrock (07880 716 761)