Statement from the Leader of Oxford City Council on the one-year anniversary of 7 October.

“We are a year on from the attacks on 7 October last year, which triggered such devastating loss of life across the region of the Middle East.

Last night we held our second peace vigil jointly with the Oxfordshire Council of Faiths. We came together in large numbers, as we did last November. Sadly, since that time, countless further lives have been lost, particularly in Gaza. And now conflict has spread, not ceased. Many, many families are mourning the loss of loved ones. Terrible injuries have changed lives. Many families have lost their homes. The suffering is terrible.

Yesterday at the peace vigil, we came together to support each other – people of all faiths and none. We celebrated and recognised all of Oxford’s many diverse communities. In Oxford we are rightly proud of our welcoming, multicultural and compassionate city.

The terrible loss of life in Israel, Gaza and now Lebanon has shocked and appalled us all. We need peace.

We are conscious that many people in our local communities are grieving for loved ones or are worried about friends and relations in Gaza, Israel, Lebanon and Iran, as well as other conflicts in the world such as Sudan and Ukraine.

A year on, I also want to say that nobody should experience fear in our city as a result of international events. No-one should feel worried to wear a symbol of their faith or culture whether that is a hijab or a star of David. Oxford City Council stands shoulder to shoulder with people from all communities in our city and county, coming together in peace and solidarity, irrespective of their faith or background.

Today we once again fly our city flag at half-mast to mark our sorrow at the war, destruction and loss of life in Gaza, Israel, Lebanon and elsewhere in the world and in the hope of peace.

I pledge to continue to work with all of our faith communities to ensure that hate and prejudice have no place here, and that people of all faiths and none, and of every background, feel safe, welcome and at home.”

Susan Brown, Leader of Oxford City Council

Statement following the Southport attack

A statement on behalf of the Oxfordshire Faith, Civic and Community Leaders’ Group from Imam Monawar Hussain (Founder, The Oxford Foundation) and Steven Croft, Bishop of Oxford:

“As faith and community leaders across Oxfordshire, we share the grief of the people of Southport following the tragic loss of life on Monday and Tuesday.

We are committed together to building a strong, coherent, and supportive community across our diverse city and county. We deplore the attempts by some extremist groups to spread disinformation and to stir up hatred and violence against particular groups. We are grateful for the ongoing work of Thames Valley police in ensuring the safety of
all.

We encourage everyone in our community to verify reports on social media before circulating them further and to continue to demonstrate compassion peace building and mutual respect, especially in this season.”

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The 2024 FRIENDSHIP WALK was held on Thursday 27 June

A link to a page with the current Friendship Walk details and links for donations is here)

Starting at 6.15pm from the Jewish Centre, Richmond Road via St Giles Churchyard, to Radcliffe Square, where light refreshments will be provided by the University Church; from there to the Madina Mosque in Stanley Road.At about 8.00pm there will be a shared meal provided by the Moslem and Jewish communities.

The synagogue will be open to visitors from 5.30pm.

The Walk provides an opportunity to meet and walk with people from Oxford’s many different faith communities.  At each place the Walkers are greeted and there are reflections from members of different faith traditions.  People of all faiths and none are welcome to join in the Walk.

Oxfordshire’s Communities Vigil for Peace

The Bishop of Oxford and Imam Monawar Hussain hosted a second meeting
for faith and community leaders from across Oxfordshire on Tuesday 31st
October 2023. 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 and have issued the following statement and
invitation.

We are aware of the need to draw together the diverse communities of
Oxfordshire at this time and renew bonds of friendship and a common
commitment to peace. We invite all people of goodwill from across
Oxfordshire to come together for a vigil for peace in Broad Street in
Oxford on Sunday 5th November at 5 pm. We invite everyone to bring a
candle. There will be some short reflections, shared grief and words of
comfort offered and we will light our candles together at 5.15pm and
stand in silence, as an act of solidarity with those who suffer on all
sides of the conflict.

Together, 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 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 continue to be the solution.