A peace vigil has been organised by representatives of Birmingham’s Muslim community following the London attacks this week. Community leaders have called two vigils in response to the violent attack in Westminster, which left 5 people dead and around 29 injured.

Following an attack in the heart of London on Wednesday, a candle-lit peace vigil has been organised to pay tribute to those affected by the tragedy.

The solidarity gathering will be held in High Street in Birmingham city centre (outside Waterstones and the Bullring) at 5pm on Friday 24th March.

Organised by MEND (Muslim Engagement and Development) and Stand Up To Racism, attendees are encouraged to bring candles and messages of peace, as city representatives share their thoughts about the tragic events in the Capital.

Organisers of the vigil wrote online:

“We regret the tragic events in Westminster and our thoughts are with all those affected by what has happened.

“Birmingham is a united city and we will not let anyone use these terrible events to divide us. Please come and join us on Friday for a unity vigil.”

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Vigil and rally
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A second emergency vigil and rally has been called by Birmingham’s Muslim community and will be held in Victoria Square on Saturday 25th March at 1pm.

The rally – titled ‘Not In Our Name, Muslims Against Terrorism’ – was called after 40 representatives of city Muslim organisations came together last night at Birmingham Central Mosque in Highgate.

Officials from Birmingham's Muslim community have come together to organise a rally against terrorism, in light of the recent London attack
Officials from Birmingham’s Muslim community have come together to organise a rally against terrorism, in light of the recent London attack

The public event will bring together representatives from all faiths and cultures, with a strong emphasis on the Muslim community being united against radicalism, terrorism and division.

An official statement signed at the mosque event yesterday states:

“We in the Muslim community are shocked and saddened by the attack in Westminster. As a community we stand united in condemnation of those who want to bring fear and division to the UK through such terrorist act.

“We know that our religion is beautiful religion. We know that our religion is a religion of peace. Our religion does not allow terrorism. It does not allow the killing of innocent of people.

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“When terrorism is carried out in the name of our religion, we must stand up and say that it is ‘Not In Our Name’.”

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“The Holy Quran says: ‘Whoever kills a person unjustly is as though he has killed all mankind. And whoever saves a life it is as though he has saved all mankind’

“That is why when terrorism is carried out in the name of our religion, we must stand up. And we must say that it is ‘Not In Our Name’.

“Our voice must be loud and clear. And we must demonstrate this by coming out. By being vocal.

A meeting of over 40 representatives from various local mosques and Islamic centres was held at Birmingham Central Mosque last night to discuss unity against terrorism (Photograph: Adam Yosef)
A meeting of over 40 representatives from various local mosques and Islamic centres was held at Birmingham Central Mosque last night to discuss unity against terrorism (Photograph: Adam Yosef)
A cross section of Muslim community leaders, including Salma Yaqoob (centre) have come together to call a unity rally against terrorism (Photograph: Adam Yosef)
A cross section of Muslim community leaders, including Salma Yaqoob (centre) have come together to call a unity rally against terrorism (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

“If we don’t then we allow the terrorists to speak on our behalf. We allow the terrorist to define our holy faith. We allow the terrorist to divide our communities.

“That is why we have organised a Muslim rally tomorrow Saturday 25th March at 1pm in Victoria Square Birmingham.

“A Muslim Rally to say ‘Not In Our Name’. For all Muslims to say terrorists do not represent us. For all muslims to say terrorists do not define us.

“For all Muslims and our children to say that we are represented and defined by the beautiful teachings of our Holy Prophet (pbuh). For all muslims and our children to say we are represented by our peaceful religion.

“That is why we are appealing to all Muslims to please bring your family, friends and children to come tomorrow at the rally to say terrorism is ‘Not In Our Name’.”

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05gZPtD3z8M]

Speaking to I Am Birmingham about the need for the rally, human rights activist Salma Yaqoob said:

“The Muslim community is uniting on Saturday at 1pm  in Victoria Square. It’s really important that people are clearly condemning what’s gone on in London. It’s been tragic, people have lost their loved ones and we in Birmingham are saying ‘Not in our name’.”

The peace rally has been organised by members of the Muslim community and representatives from mosques and Islamic centres across the city.

The event has also received support from Birmingham City Council, Hope Not Hate and Stand Up To Racism.

Muslim community members condemning terrorism at the Birmingham Central Mosque in Highgate (Photograph: Adam Yosef)
Muslim community members condemning terrorism at the Birmingham Central Mosque in Highgate (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

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London attack
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The solidarity events come following news that Khalid Masood from Birmingham was responsible for the London attack which left 5 dead, including a police officer.

52-year-old Khalid Masood – born Adrian Russell Ajao – drove a car over Westminster Bridge on Wednesday (22 March), near the Houses of Parliament, killing two pedestrians and injuring many others, before crashing into railings outside the Houses of Parliament.

According to witnesses, the attacker ran towards Parliament with two knives, where he came face to face with police officers. The assailant then confronted an unarmed officer, stabbing and killing him. In response, the attacker was shot dead by nearby armed officers.

48-year-old PC Keith Palmer has been named as the police officer killed in the line of duty during the Westminster attacks in London earlier today
48-year-old PC Keith Palmer has been named as the police officer killed in the line of duty during the Westminster attacks in London earlier today

The policeman who was killed has since been named as Keith Palmer, a 48-year-old husband and father, who was a member of the Diplomatic Protection Service.

Among those injured, a woman was pulled out alive from the River Thames but suffered injuries.

One of the victims of the attack was later been named by Spanish newspapers as 43-year-old mum-of-two Aysha Frade, believed to have been killed as she went to pick up her young children.

It is believed seven people remain in a critical condition and 29 have been treated in hospital.

Following the incident, several addresses were raided in Birmingham and London and a number of arrests made.

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Tributes
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The Library of Birmingham is lit up in the colours of the Union Jack as a tribute to the victims of the London Westminster attacks (Photograph: Majid Mahmood)
The Library of Birmingham is lit up in the colours of the Union Jack as a tribute to the victims of the London Westminster attacks (Photograph: Birmingham City Council)

The Library of Birmingham was lit up in red, white and blue on Wednesday night to pay tribute to the victims of the Westminster attacks and to show solidarity with the people of London.

Birmingham City Council today lowered the Council House flag to half-mast the next day.

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Birmingham MPs working in and around Parliament have praised the efforts of the emergency services and police officers during the attacks.

A statement from community group Birmingham Egyptians stated:

“Birmingham Egyptians condemn today’s horrific attacks at Westminster in which innocent people have died or been injured.

“This type of violence is unfounded and meaningless. Our sincere condolences and sympathies are with the families of those who lost their lives and those injured.”

The special funeral prayer, or 'Janazah-in-absence' was held for boxing and civil rights legend Muhammad Ali at Birmingham Central Mosque in Highgate (Photograph: Adam Yosef)
The Birmingham Central Mosque in Highgate has condemned the London attacks which have killed 5 and injured 29 (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

The Birmingham Central Mosque Trust – the city’s premier Muslim place of worship –  also issued a statement following the London attack. Mosque chairman Muhammad Afzal stated:

“The Birmingham Central Mosque strongly condemns the brutal Westminster terror attacks in London.

“Whoever the attacker is, and whatever the cause may be, nothing justifies taking lives of innocent people which is completely against the good of humanity.

“Those responsible must be brought to justice to protect good, in our constant fight to eradicate evil within humanity. We request all communities for the unity and calm. Life is very sacred and this brutal attack must be condemned by all regardless of any background.

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“Those responsible must be brought to justice to protect good, in our constant fight to eradicate evil within humanity.”

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“The Islamic faith does not allow anyone to take the life of others. Such people are condemned in the holy Quran and in the sayings of the Holy Prophet.

“No religion justifies the indiscriminate killing of individuals in such a barbaric and heartless way, and such acts only serve to differentiate between the misguided and the just.

“We call upon those that may have even a shred of sympathy for the like-minded terrorists to shake their conscience and realise that such acts are the work of evil and not the work of God-fearing people.

“In this tragic difficult time, our sincere thoughts and condolences are with the bereaved families and the general public of the United Kingdom. We also stand firm in solidarity with victims families and the rest of the world, who have been affected and are in mourning.”

Birmingham Central Mosque official Mohammed Ali displays a 'Not In Our Name' sign (Photograph: Adam Yosef)
Birmingham Central Mosque official Mohammed Ali displays a ‘Not In Our Name’ sign (Photograph: Adam Yosef)
Birmingham Central Mosque chairman Muhammad Afzal and South Yardley ward councillor Zaker Choudhry (Photograph: Adam Yosef)
Birmingham Central Mosque chairman Muhammad Afzal and South Yardley ward councillor Zaker Choudhry (Photograph: Adam Yosef)
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