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British Muslim leaders condemn Hamas attacks and refuse to apportion blame for Gaza hospital blast
Over a dozen clerics have signed a statement denouncing the killings and the surge in antisemitism in Britain
October 19, 2023 15:23
Over a dozen clerics have signed a statement denouncing the killings and the surge in antisemitism in Britain
October 19, 2023 15:23Over a dozen British Muslim faith leaders have condemned Hamas's brutal attacks on civilians in Israel and refused to lay the blame for Tuesday's hospital blast in Gaza on the country's shoulders.
A statement signed by 15 leading Muslim figures in Britain published by The Muslim News addressed the war between Israel and Hamas and "utterly condemned" the numerous instances of antisemitism and Islamophobia witnessed in Britain since October 7.
In the statement, they said: “We, the undersigned British Muslims, unequivocally condemn the killing of civilians in Israel and Gaza.
"As we watch the heart-wrenching scenes of Al Ahli Arab Hospital burning, we are reminded that the killing and destruction against innocent men, women and children is deplorable and is contrary to the principles of justice and humanity that we hold dear in our faith."
The message goes on to urge the Israeli government to "act with restraint and within the boundaries of international law" and express horror at the "complete siege on Gaza", which, it says, "has resulted in immense suffering" for Palestinian people.
The signatories, which include Shayk Ibrahim Mogra, the former assistant secretary general of the Muslim Council of Britain, and Shaykh Dr Musharraf Hussain, a prominent Nottingham imam and scholar, called for the international community "to pursue diplomatic and political avenues to peace", adding: "it is surely only through diplomacy that we can achieve lasting peace in the Holy Land."
They added: "We also utterly condemn all acts of antisemitism or Islamophobia that have taken place on our streets here in Britain.
"No one should feel unsafe in their own neighbourhoods and in this country. Mutual respect and dialogue between Muslim and Jewish communities at home and abroad, along with a shared commitment to peace, justice, and the safety of all communities are ever more important.”
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