Friends share sorrow and show solidarity with Manchester
Friends in the UK and beyond have expressed sorrow and solidarity with the people of Manchester
Friends around the UK and beyond have expressed sorrow and solidarity with the people of Manchester following the attack at the Manchester Arena on 22 May.
British Friends held a vigil at Friends House on 23 May, and Britain Yearly Meeting endorsed a statement by the Inter Faith Network: ‘Our thoughts and prayers are with those who lost their lives or were injured in last night’s terrorist murders at the Manchester Arena, as they are with their families, all others affected and those responding with assistance. We deplore and condemn this wanton, brutal and cowardly taking of the lives of young and old.’
The statement urges people of faith to ‘stand together to oppose terrorism and the ideologies that promote it’ as well as upholding and strengthening ‘the unity of our society and work to ensure that it is a positive and harmonious one where all children and young people can grow up safely and without fear.’
It stresses: ‘We know that each time a terrorist attack occurs, groups within society become the target of abuse or even attack because of terrorist actions which claim, or are perceived by some, as having a link to them. We must stand, likewise, against this. An attack on one is an attack on all.’
Friends in Africa have sent a message of solidarity. Churchill Malimo, executive secretary of the Friends World Committee for Consultation (FWCC) Africa Section, and clerk Joshua Lilande said: ‘We are deeply saddened by loss of innocent lives. Friends in Africa and especially Kenya, who have experienced similar suffering from extremists, join us in conveying heartfelt condolences to the bereaved and share in the grief and comfort to those in hospitals and families in shock.’
The Friends Committee on National Legislation issued a statement on behalf of Friends in the USA, saying they ‘are holding Quakers in Britain and everyone affected by the Manchester attack in the Light’. Quaker and MEP Judith Kirton-Darling, who was in Spain last week, described ‘amazing solidarity from Spanish’ in a Facebook post.
Sarah Donaldson, Manchester and Warrington Area Meeting’s executive officer, said: ‘On Tuesday Central Manchester Meeting House was open as usual, although many customers understandably chose to cancel their events. Staff attended work and we spoke openly about our sadness and about our fears. We were heartened by messages of support sent from Quakers in the Area Meeting, in London and beyond. In the evening, as I watched people streaming past our front door on the way to the public vigil, I felt a strong sense of the building as a calm centre to the busy city. ‘
She added: ‘On Wednesday there was a chance to offer that calm to the public. The regular weekly lunchtime meeting for Worship took place and was well-attended. One of our Friends also set out his stall on the steps offering free hot drinks and a chat to any passerby, as he does most Wednesdays.’
On Thursday staff and customers joined together on the steps of the Meeting house during the minute’s silence. ‘We had a direct view of our civic buildings and felt a full part of our city,’ Sarah Donaldson said.
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