Peace in Luton

A peaceful day in Luton - but concern for the future.

Yesterday, Saturday 11th September, was relatively quiet in Luton, as far as I can tell.

You will probably know that the Qu'ran burning proposed by Pastor Terry Jones in Florida did not happen. He announced that such a demonsration was permanently off. He was in New York to attend the protest against the "Ground Zero Mosque", actually to be accurate a Muslim community centre two blocks from Ground Zero. (though in my desire for accuracy please don't count that as a statement in favour or against). The outcome of that protest as I write is not clear. While Pastor Jones did not burn Qu'rans, it seems at least one in the crowd made an attempt to burn pages of one. Members of the English Defense League, who emerged in the wake of the disruption of the now infamous Royal Anglian Homecoming Parade in March 20009, were in New York and Kevin Carol, Lutonian national co-leader of the EDL was prominent among them. Channel 4 has a good report from New York that includes a short interview with Carol and team.

In England the EDL were in London to march to the American Embassy to honour the victims of 911.  Later visitors to the same place were Muslims Against the Crusades, a new version of the old extremist group al-Muhajiroun that caused our problems here last march. After speeches condemning America and the UK, protesting what was happening to their co-religionists in Afghanistan and Iraq, and offering support for 911, they burnt US and UK flags along with pictures of Pastor Jones. The EDL by this time had retunred and were shouting from behind a line of police, incensed at the burning. It appears to have been smooth and there are reports of leader of the Muslims Against the Crusades, Anjem Choudary, was arrested. I believe that attempts were made to burn a Qu'ran there.

The English Defense League also organised an unannounced protest in Oldham, at which they had about one hundred people. This "Flash Mobilisation" is a new tactic and one we have been expecting as  they become disillusioned with static protests locked in by police with whom they have been planning the event. 

With the action being elsewhere and no obvious direct impact from a Qu'ran burning, we were fortunate. However even the idea of the Qu'ran burning has insensed many, and will have lifted the tension level. The success of the new tactics of the EDL will also be watched here as well; the implications are of enormous concern.

Please do pray for the UK, Europe, and the USA all with rising Islamophobic movements, and for the church to have a strong voice in this situation.

Luton Councilof Faiths Statement on Qu'ran Burning

Luton Council of Faiths (LCOF) published a statement yesterday on the situation. While it was written at a time when the plans to burn 200 Qu'rans in Florida were on hold the heart of the message is still totally relevant.

Download LCOF statement on Int'l Burn-a-Quran Day

Churches condemn Qu'ran burning plans : Luton Today

Pleased  to see that the Luton News has a story now online on our Churches Together message to Muslims in Luton.

Churches condemn Qu'ran burning plans

Luton Christians unite to wish Muslims a happy Eid

Christians in Luton have condemned plans by a church in the US to burn a Qu'ran.

Churches Together in Luton, which represents Catholic, Methodist, Church of England and Baptist churches in the town, said it regretted that the actions of the Dove World Outreach Centre church, in Florida, "should have caused such offence internationally".

Muslims are today celebrating Eid, which marks the end of Ramadan.

Peter Adams, from Churches Together in Luton, said: "This action does not represent the way of Jesus Christ whom we seek to follow as Christians, and we completely disassociate ourselves from it.

"We wish indeed to apologise on behalf of the church for the action of a few of our number who intend dishonour for your sacred book and caused you as Muslims such deep offence."

Mr Adams said Churches Together wanted to wish all Muslims in Luton a happy Eid, adding: "We know at this time of celebration many of you still have your thoughts and hearts in Pakistan, as that nation continues to suffer and face the terrible loss from the floods.

"We and our congregations want to assure you of our continued prayer for all who have lost loved ones, have suffered and lost livelihoods, and also our prayer and support for the nation as it starts to rebuild."

And also encouraging is that the Muslim Council of Britain picked up that story. Its not on their news page, but there was a tweet last night at about 1am!

Luton Christians unite to wish Muslims a happy Eid‎: http://alturl.com/azpi9

And Luton Council of Faiths statement (which I will post later) has been picked up by Luton on Sunday:

Luton Council of Faiths condemns the attempt to "International Burn-a-Koran Day":

The Luton Council of Faiths has condemed the attempt to burn the Koran on the anniversary of the terrorist attacks in America nine years ago.

This comes after the continuing row over a small church's plan in America to burn copies of the holy book.

Terry Jones, the church's pastor, has put his plans on hold but they have sparked international outrage.

A spokesman for the Luton Council of Faiths said: "We take pride in good Christian-Muslim relations in Luton. Following 7/7 act of terrorism, the earthquake in Kashmir, the attack on the Mosque in Bury Park or recent floods in Pakistan, churches together in Luton have on all these occasions stood by their Muslim neighbours in Luton.

"Christmas and Eid Greetings are often exchanged. Individual as well as collective community friendships are formed.

"Therefore, following “Luton in Harmony” campaign, which symbolises the mutual aspiration for harmonious co-existence and friendship between people of all faiths, cultures, ethnicities and nationalities in Luton, we appeal to  religious and community leaders to help maintain  peace in the town and once again tell the world that we will not let a handful of  extremists from any community or religion to hold  the vast majority of  peaceful people  within our diverse  towns and cities, such as Luton, to ransom."

I am expecting that it will be on BBC Three Counties Melting Pot with Ian Pierce on Sunday (about 7.20ish I am told).

Greetings at Eid and a message of regret at burning of the Qu’ran

A message From the Churches of Luton

(You can Download Eid greetings and regrets at Qu'ran burning   in a pdf version here.)

First, as leaders of churches in Luton we wish to greet you, our Muslim friends, at this feast of Eid. May you, your family and your community enjoy the feasting after the month of fasting. Eid Mubarak!!

Also, we know at this time of celebration many of you still have your thoughts and hearts in Pakistan, as that nation continues to suffer and face the terrible loss from the floods. We and our congregations want to assure you of our continued prayer for all who have lost loved ones, have suffered and lost livelihoods; and also our prayer and support for the nation as it starts to rebuild.

We want to take this opportunity to tell you of our deep regret at the planned burning of your holy book, the Qu’ran, at a church in Florida, USA. This action does not represent the way of Jesus Christ whom we seek to follow as Christians, and we completely disassociate ourselves from it. We regret that the actions of one independent and atypical church should have caused such offence internationally. We wish indeed to apologise on behalf of the church for the action of a few of our number who intend dishonour for your sacred book and caused you as Muslims such deep offence.

On this anniversary of the terrible events of September 11th 2001, which has unleashed so much conflict and suffering in our world, we once again want to commit ourselves to working with you, our Muslim neighbours, colleagues and friends, along with people of all faiths and none, for peace in our town. We wish to be obedient to the words of Jesus Christ: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”

We would request you to pass this message on to all in your community and worshipping congregations. And a very warm Eid Mubarak!

Thursday 9th September 2010

What the parties said

Two weeks ago we wrote to all candidates / party slates in the contest of seats in the Eastern England region for the European Parliament.

We enclosed the statement (Working Together for Peace and Unity in Luton )and added the following words:

As candidates in the Eastern Region election to seats in the European Parliament, we would draw your attention to the challenge in this statement, and urge you most strongly to express your commitment to the peace and welfare of the community in Luton and all its people of every faith and none, and to opposing all prejudice, hatred, racism or religious intolerance. We would invite you to allow our website, PeaceinLuton to carry your responses to this challenge.

The full list of candidates is here.  Seven people will be elected.

These are the responses we have had:

Animals Count -- 1. Jasmijn De Boo / 2. Alexander Leslie Bourke / 3. Richard James Deboo-- no response.  Nothing of significance in manifesto.

British National Party (BNP) 1. Eddy Butler  2. Emma Louise Colgate   3.    Stephen McCole   4. David Alexander Fleming   5.  David Maurice Lucas   6.    Mark Fuller   7.    Seamus Padraic Dunne    --- No response.

Christian Party "Proclaiming Christ's Lordship" 1. Jeremy John Tyrrell   2. Kim Christofi    3. John Arthur Jackson 4. Grace Ovba Oghenegare 5. Albert Usikaro 6. Douglas William Suckling 7. Sally Craig  -- Automated response only - of no relevance!

Conservative Party 1. Geoffrey Charles Van Orden 2. Robert William Sturdy 3. Victoria Grace Ford 4. John Christopher Flack 5. Jonathan Morgan 6. Claire Patricia Annette Strong 7. Clare Robina Whelan --

Vicky Ford:  I congratulate you on working together for peace, understanding and unity in Luton. I would like to thank the many members of the public from different walks of life and backgrounds for their warm welcome when I have been to visit.

English Democrats Party 1. Robin Charles William Tilbrook 2. Charles Jeremy Vickers 3. John Robert Cooper 4. Raymond Brown 5. Adrian Ralph Key 6. Nicholas Peter Capp No reply

Jury Team 1. Andrew Timothy Armes  2. Ian Tyes   3. Stephen John Garton   4. Jules Sherrington   5. Andrew Stephen John Parker  6. Michael Edward Yates  7. Patrick James Harris

Ian Tyes: "I am happy to lend my support to your joint faith workings to oppose extremism in Luton."

Jules Sherrington .  "Thank you So much for having the 'faith' to address us with your Peaceful Movement, and I concur with the sentiments you express in your communication. Being a Christian, albeit somewhat infrequently at Church, I am by definition, committed to the cause of peace and understanding across the 'faith boundaries."

Liberal Democrats 1. Andrew Nicholas Duff 2. Linda Anne Jack 3. Ian James Mack 4. Peter James Welch 5. Earnshaw Desmond Bami Joko Palmer   6. Andrew Mark Houseley   7. Qurban Hussain

Linda Jack:  "There has never been a more important time for Christians and Muslims to unite against the threat from those whose mantra is hate and division. I am delighted to offer my full support to this campaign."

Andrew Housely:   "Peace and harmony to all in Luton. Banish hate."

Note: Linda Jack lives in Luton, so does Qurban Huasain. She is a Christian;  and he a Muslim. She spoke to me again today to express her strong support of our initiative.

No2EU: Yes To Democracy 1. Brian Percival Denny 2. Frank James Jepson 3. Stephen William Glennon 4. Philip Katz 5. Eleanor Mary Donne 6. Peter John Relph 7. Ronald Rodwell   No reply

Pro Democracy: Libertas.eu   1. Richard Peter Elvin 2. Margaret Lucille Jeanne Parker 3. Peter Chaplin 4. James Arthur Graham Daniels 5. William Gordon Stuart Winter strong> No reply

Socialist Labour Party 1. David Paul Roberts 2. Paul Amos Liversuch 3. Shaun Alan Kirkpatrick 4. Michael Clifford 5. Thea Ruth Roberts   No reply

The Green Party 1. Sue Mallender 2. Richard Mallender 3. Ashley John Baxter 4. Matt Follett 5. Barney Smith

A party statement sent in reply read: Whether based on creed, colour, religion, sexuality or ethnic background, my Party abhors all kinds of discrimination. Instead of discriminating against the things that divide us, it’s time we all celebrate the things that unite us and learn from each other the sense of diversity we all project on to the world today.

The Labour Party 1. Glenis Willmott 2. Roy Francis Kennedy 3. Kathryn Marie Salt 4. John David Morgan 5. Catherine Anne Marisa Taylor   No reply

United Kingdom First 1. Ian Francis Gillman 2. Christopher Duncan Elliot 3. Nadine Platt 4. David Noakes 5. Mariann French    No reply

United Kingdom Independence Party 1. Derek Roland Clark 2. Christopher Pain 3. Stephen Allison 4. Deva Indeera Asanga Kumarasiri 5. Irenea Marriott  No reply

Comment on the events surrounding the march of 24th May

We have today issued a press statement on the events in Luton yesterday:   Download Statement on may 24th march.  The text is as follows:

We are deeply saddened at the events surrounding the march that took place in Luton yesterday, 24th May 2009. The actions of the large numbers of mainly young people who broke away from the march and created havoc in the streets of the town, damaging cars and property and assaulting a small number of people, are not in the interests of any group within Luton.

The stated purpose of the march as it was originally presented to Luton Borough Council by the organisers to honour British troops who have fought in Iraq and Afghanistan, especially after the shameful protests during the Homecoming Parade through Luton of the 2nd Royal Anglian Regiment on 10th March. We have condemned those protests then by a small number of extremists and do so again.

However it was evident in recent weeks that many sought to use yesterday’s march to promote religious hatred and cause division in our community. In the event, the large number of those who demonstrated broke away from the march before it began, and after a short moment of silence at the Town Hall War Memorial ran riot for the next hour. We totally condemn what took place and the damage and fear that resulted from this. Extremist behaviour, whatever its name, has no place in our town nor in our country.

We remain committed as churches and mosques, along with all other faith groups in Luton, to learning to be good neighbours and Working Together for Peace and Unity in Luton for the benefit of all - irrespective of one's faith or ethnicity.

The March This Sunday

An update for prayer on the planned march this Sunday.

(This was a message sent out by Peter Adams to churches on morning of Friday 222nd May. However it serves as an update for all. For those who pray, please pray.)

The short version.
There will be a march this weekend – Sunday at 5pm, to protest against the extreme Muslim demonstrators who disrupted the army march two months ago. The march is not official but will be allowed, as long as it is lawful.

Please pray for the police & Luton Borough Council as they make decisions at this time and seek to keep peace in the town. Pray for the march not to become violent and for it to be contained, and for those demonstrating. Please pray for the safety of the Muslim community. Pray for the Carnival for it to be celebration of diversity in this town, and for it to go peacefully on Monday. And for the peace of the town.

For more information, please read on:
As you will probably be aware from me or others we have been expecting a large demonstration to oppose the extreme Muslim demonstration against the Royal Anglian Parade back on 10th March. As you are also probably aware, that will now take place on this Sunday, 24th May, at 5pm.

The march is being organised by March for England, who have held a number of marches in support of British troops in recent months. They have got behind some local people, who are now calling themselves the “United People of Luton”, who have been attempting to do something since March 10th. The event gathers in Manor Park (off Park Street) on Sunday and at 5pm marches to the Town Hall to have a short ceremony at the War Memorial there, and to deliver a petition to the council and police asking to ban the extremists from the town centre.

I have been waiting to write until I could be as accurate as possible in what I tell you. The organisers were in discussion with the council and police, and specifically the Safety Advisory Group, and were given a go-ahead subject to meeting all the safety requirements. However they withdrew from cooperation about ten days ago when they didn’t feel the council were responding quickly enough. They said they would continue with the march; the council said no permission had been given, and nobody knew what would happen. That is all reflected on the web and the press. Yesterday, Thursday, the council clarified that while the march was not official, they recognised that people would be gathering and would allow free speech and a peaceful demonstration as long as people remained within the law. They wrote:

We are however bound by the legal system and fundamentally we have a responsibility to ensure freedom of speech and the right to demonstrate peacefully. We have set out our process in Lutonline last month and we made it clear we do not tolerate breaking of the law. I am sure you are aware that following both recent unauthorised demonstrations that arrests have subsequently been made.

In this spirit and within this framework we were in dialogue with the organisers of the proposed march on May 24th. I am sure you are now aware that there is no official march on Sunday as the organisers broke off negotiations with the Safety Advisory Group. Our intelligence tells however that people will still assemble and this will be managed by the Police. In basic terms they will be allowed to process and if they have a petition it will be accepted by the safety officer for delivery to the Town Hall. At all times they will be made to comply with Police instructions.

So the march will go ahead, and we need to pray. Having been talking with most of the groups involved through this time, and watching the others on the web, can I suggest we pray for:

1. The council. They have been under enormous pressure, and while it might have been done differently earlier on it is easy to speak with benefit of hindsight, and they are now clearly seeking to make the best of a very difficult situation. They are in an election season and that adds to their work (they administer the election) and also changes the way things take place.
2. The police. There will be many around on Sunday. Pray for their safety, their wisdom, and their calm and peace when under provocation.
3. The March / Demonstration. While the stated purpose of the march is understandable and good, there are clearly some who will come with other intentions. A number of facebook groups, chat rooms and websites have been alive with very ugly language in these past weeks, and it is fair to say that while the organisers have said they are committed to certain goals and guidelines for the march, they have in the recent past been identified with much more extreme positions, and remain closely linked with many who have said they will come to make known those views. The stated focus is to call for action against extremist Muslims; however the language often identifies all Muslims in this category and is also full of racial hatred.
4. The demonstrators. Lets pray for them. They have some legitimate concerns and many will be seeking to state those fairly and legally. Pray for them not to be drawn into the hatred and violence that is also going to be there. And please pray for the many whose language and actions are full of hatred, for restraint and for change of heart.
5. The Muslim community. Pray for their safety this weekend and in coming weeks, and their restraint when being provoked. Pray for those who are seeking to keep good communications going with them.
6. For the Peace of Luton. Please pray for the different communities in our town, to draw together and not to separate. Please pray for the Peace In Luton process that I am working on with Fiaz Hussain of the Council of Mosques to develop, and which we launched last Wednesday, that we might learn how to be good neighbours.
7. The Carnival. Pray for the Carnival for it to be celebration of diversity in this town, and for it to go peacefully on Monday. 

Finally the council and police have asked for “any one who has influence on any of these groups to discourage unlawful protest and counter-protests at this time as it will escalate the risk of conflict in the town.”

I would suggest it be really good to both pray for peace this Sunday, and to call people to peace.

Sign the Commitment

You can now sign an online commitment to "Work Together for Peace and Unity in Luton".

Online petition - Working Together for Peace and Unity in Luton

and join the Facebook page:  Working Together for Peace and Unity in Luton

Download the LCoM and CTL statement .

Working Together for Peace and Unity in Luton

At a meeting hosted by Churches Together in Luton (CTL) and Luton Council of Mosques (LCoM) on Wednesday 13th May 2009, Muslim and Christian leaders in Luton called for peace and good neighbourly relations in the face of the activities of those who would challenge the peace of our town.

We signed the following statement as a commitment to be good neighbours, and as an invitation to others to join us. We are asking our representatives in national and local government to join us or to support us in that commitment, as well as all candidates running in the June 4th elections for the Eastern England seats in the European Parliament. We call on the media to acknowledge and respect that commitment, and to work with us to report on the efforts to build peace and unity in Luton.

In making this statement we recognise the differences there are between our faiths, but we choose to build on those things which unite us. Most importantly, the call to love God and love our neighbours is central to each of our Holy Scriptures. Together with others working for good interfaith relations in the town, we will do all we can to support the building up of common ground between us. We are aware of all the challenges we face, separately and together, especially in the time of economic hardship. We seek to respond to those challenges in friendship and cooperation rather than through prejudice, hatred, racism and religious intolerance.

We are now calling on others in Luton and beyond to join us or support us making this same commitment.

In recent weeks Luton has again been seen in the media as a place of Islamic extremism and rising nationalist extremism. Yet the reality is that these are small extremist groups, and do not represent the majority of the community.

As Muslims and Christians in Luton we are committed to grow in understanding of each other and to work together for good. In doing so we are inspired and challenged by words that lie at the heart of each of our Holy Scriptures, where we are commanded to love God and love our neighbour. As neighbours in this town, we need to discover the things that unite us, and celebrate those. Where we are different we are committed to seek understanding and trust, rather than resorting to hatred and strife. Let us respect each other, be fair, just and kind to one another and live in sincere peace, harmony and mutual goodwill.

In this time of tension we are calling for people of all communities and every area of life in Luton, and especially those elected to local and national governments, and all candidates in the upcoming European elections to join us and support us in this task.

Working Together for Peace and Unity

Luton Council of Mosques

Churches Together in Luton

Working Together for Peace and Unity

In recent weeks Luton has again been seen in the media as a place of Islamic extremism and rising nationalist extremism. Yet the reality is that these are small extremist groups, and do not represent the majority of the community.

As Muslims and Christians in Luton we are committed to grow in understanding of each other and to work together for good. In doing so we are inspired and challenged by words that lie at the heart of each of our Holy Scriptures, where we are commanded to love God and love our neighbour. As neighbours in this town, we need to discover the things that unite us, and celebrate those. Where we are different we are committed to seek understanding and trust, rather than resorting to hatred and strife. Let us respect each other, be fair, just and kind to one another and live in sincere peace, harmony and mutual goodwill.

In this time of tension we are calling for people of all communities and every area of life in Luton, and especially those elected to local and national governments, and all candidates in the upcoming European elections to join us and support us in this task.

Come back soon to sign the commitment