Westminster attack: Local community leaders speak out

Friday, 24 March 2017 16:00

Five people have died in a horrific terror attack which took place on Wednesday near the Houses of Parliament.

The 52-year-old attacker ran over members of the public with a rented car on the Westminster Bridge killing five people and critically injuring 50 others.

After crashing the car he entered the Palace of Westminster, where he stabbed Pc Keith Palmer to death.

Khalid Masood was soon shot dead by a close protection officer.

Many local community leaders are speaking out following the attack and strongly condemn the attack that took place.

We spoke to:

Bana Gora, Chief executive officer of the Muslim Women’s Council, she said: “We cannot be held individually or collectively responsible for what others claim to do ‘in the name of Islam’, as this creates a guilt-trip of apologism which suggests Muslims bear guilt for an atrocity which has shaken our humanity to the core, as much as it has shaken those who are not Muslim. We must all be vigilant and take precautionary measures to ensure we do not feed into the ‘us’ and ‘them’ narrative. We’d like to emphasise that the media has a responsibility to exercise accurate, balanced reporting. Reactionary reports which vilify Muslims on the basis of their faith or race is precisely the kind of divisiveness that acts of terrorism seek to create.”

Subah Amini Regional co-ordinator for the press and media at the Ahmadiyya community said: “The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community strongly condemns the barbaric attacks that took place in Westminster. Our sympathies and prayers are with the people of London and all those affected. Such attacks and violence against innocent people can never be justified under any circumstances."

Bradford East MP Imran Hussain and Leader of the Bradford council, Susan Hinchliffe were unavailable for comment.

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