LETTER: United to condemn appalling attacks

This appalling attack is justified by no creed and no faith, it is abhorrent to the sacredness of human life around which all our faiths stand united. Freedom of speech stands at the heart of the open societies we are proud to create; it must be cherished, championed and defended.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to those affected, firm in the belief that love, hope and courage can stand against and overcome fear, hatred and division.

There are no words that can rise to the occasion of a tragedy like this. We join together in calling on people of each of our faith traditions, and those of no faith but of good faith, to join us on a fast to be held on Tuesday 20th January.

By this united action, we will each, in our own way, fast to bring us closer to those suffering such grief in these sad days.

Co-signed by:

Mutahear Chowdhury, Mansfield and Ashfield Bangladeshi Association (MABA) Chairman;

Jomirul Hoque, MABA Assistant Chairman;

Runu Ahad, MABA Secretary;

Kasa Miah ,MABA Treasurer;

Shofiqur Rahman, MABA Committee member;

Nanu Ahad, MABA Committee member;

Ripon Choudhury, MABA Committee member;

Nasir Kamali, MABA Committee member;

Kobir Molik, MABA Committee member;

Revd Caroline Phillips, Priest-in-Charge, St. Augustine, Mansfield & St. Barnabas, Pleasley Hill;

Revd Canon Mark Adams, St John’s with St Mary’s, Area Dean of Mansfield;

Revd Dr Keith Hebden, St Mark’s, Mansfield & Maun Valley Citizens (MVC) Leadership Team;

Jane Creedon, St Philip Neri RC Church & MVC Leadership Team;

Joy Riley, Queen Elizabeth Academy Community Manager & MVC Leadership Team;

Ruth Wilde, St Mark’s Mansfield MVC Leadership Team;

Wendy Ince, Mansfield Methodist Curcuit & MVC Leadership Team;

Ann Donlan, Notts NUM Ex-and Retired Miners Association & MVC Leadership Team;

Barry Donlan, Notts NUM Ex-and Retired Miners Association & MVC Leadership Team;

Revd Bruce Rienstra, St Peter and St Paul, Warsop;

Paul Frost, Committee Member, Mansfield Old Meeting House (Unitarian);

Cllr Diana Meale, Nottinghamshire County Council (Labour);

Rt Hon Allan Meale, Mansfield (Labour;)

Fr Malachy Brett, St Philip Neri Roman Catholic Church;

Cllr Sally Higgins, MDC (Labour);

Martin Lee, Mansfield Labour Group Chairman;

Revd Patrick Timperley, Minister, Old Meeting House Unitarian Chapel;

Pastor Konrad Schäfer, Mansfield Christian Community Church and Vision WNC Chaplain;

Derek Rumbol, Mansfield Baptist Church Deacon;

Revd Hazel Robinson, Vicar of Blidworth & Rainworth;

Hannah Ilsley, Mansfield Vineyard Church leader;

Tim Ilsley, Mansfield Vineyard Church leader;

Revd David Fudger, St Peter’s and St Mark’s Mansfield;

Tony Egginton Executive Mayor of Mansfield;

Alan Spencer, General Secretary, Notts National Union of Mineworkers;

Eric Eaton, Notts NUM Ex and Retired Miners Association.

The Rev Keith Hebden added: “Mansfield is a place of welcome and generosity; this letter and actions shows that we will not let other people’s story of how the world is dictate how we treat one another. Maun Valley Citizens exists to unite good people for the common good in Mansfield, and the wider area which is why the leadership team were proud to join the Mansfield and Ashfield Bangladeshi Association in this initiative.”

Mansfield Mayor Tony Egginton said: “I would certainly want to be standing with you and I feel I would be talking for the majority of people right across our township regarding this recent atrocity.”

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