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Emails to the MCB on issues and concerns
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Page 215
| 11/07/2005 |
| Matthew Young |
| As a white British Atheist I know that Islam is not responsible for
yesterday's attacks on London. I know that British Muslims, along with
British people of other faiths and those of no faith, despise and condemn
what was done. The terrorists claims to act in the name of Islam must cause
pain and upset to all true Muslims.
It causes me pain and shame that some of our countrymen are so ignorant that
they blame all Muslims for such attacks. Please be reassured that these
people do not speak for the majority of Britains anymore than the terrorists
speak for the majority of Muslims.
There are many injustices and wrongs in this world. The UK is partly
responsible for some of them and I hope that it will work to correct them.
This can only be achieved through a society that values and understands
diversity, as well as understanding what we share as human beings. I hope
that the Muslim Council of Britain shares these beliefs and aims, and I wish
you well in your efforts to achieve them.
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| 11/07/05 |
| Douglas P. Mitten |
I was saddened to learn that your organization had been receiving hate
mail. I am an American in California and do not paint all followers of
Islam with the same brush. Just as some American Christians fail to
follow the tenets of our faith there are followers of Islam who do not
follow the Quran. I know that you with all other law abiding citizens of
this world family of humanity are, like I am, appalled at the actions of
those who would harm others for political purposes. I dream of the day
that all on this planet accept each other and live in the peace the
creator intended for us all. Blessed Be and may you be safe in your
homes, houses of worship and on the streets of London and the rest of
England.
Sincerely,
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| 11/07/2005 |
| P. Webb-Heath
|
Hello,
I feel the solidarity you feel with all the citizens of the Uk at the
atrocities of the last few days.
I believe that Muslims in Gt Britain and Worldwide are as good as anyone
of any other faith.
However there are people who will decide that the Muslim faith is bad
and I know it isn't.
The problem I have, is that although all the leaders state and proclaim
that this atrocity is wrong, I have heard no-one come out and say the
words I want to hear.
*Killing is evil, killing Infidels will not give you entrance to heaven.
Taking any life condemns you to hell. There are no excuses,
no exceptions, taking a life means damnation.*
**
Please get your leaders religious and otherwise to send this message.
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| 11/07/2005 |
|
|
| I was horrified by the number of hate or threatening mail you have
received since the bombing.Despite the large number I urge you to
consider that these are mostly the ignorant and uneducated among us. I
know of no-one personally who feels that any of the blame lies with our
muslim countrymen and women. I have just returned from Edinburgh where
many of us marched for the relief of the poor as well as for the
abolition of nuclear weapons. We also blockaded a detention centre for
immigrants, demanding compassion for all. i talked with dozens of people
there and all agree that we are proud of our multi-cultural society and
wish for openess and tolerance for all faiths. I noted that in
Edinburgh, the main mosque integrates widely with the community in many
different ways such as coffee mornings, ethnic food lunches and a
general invitation to all to attend question/answer sessions and observe
worship. It is time for all faiths to share some time worshipping
together. It is the best way to show our solidarity against those who
would divide us. I was raised as a Catholic, have developed some
Buddhist ways of worship and am moved very much by the Islamic prayers
and readings though much is lost in translation. Please remember that
the greater percentage of us are in support of you . The terrorists are
wrong to do what they do and so is Bush and Blair. God bless you all.
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| 11/07/2005 |
|
|
Dear all,
I just wanted to express my disgust at the abhorrent messages you have
been receiving from misguided and ignorant individuals in light of
yesterday's events. Please be assured that there are many, many
Londoners who are all too aware that the actions have Al Qaeda bear no
relevance whatsoever to the teachings of the Koran and the values that
you hold dear. London is a city of extraordianry multiculturalism and
for the most part we live in remarkable harmony. I am deeply saddened
that these tragic events have lead to you being threatened and just
wanted to extend a hand of solidarity.
Yours,
Louisa Combs, a student aged 20 from south London.
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| 11/07/2005 |
| Sarah Fisher |
Dear all,
I was horrified to hear about the hate mail that has been directed at
the MCB since the attacks in London yesterday. I am deeply ashamed
and truly saddened to find that there are still people ignorant enough
to attempt to place the blame for these horrific events at the feet of
British Muslims.
I know, in my heart of hearts, that there is no God who would honour
the perpetrators of such acts.
I can only apologise on behalf of those who have yet to broaden their
minds and understanding and I offer my sympathies and condolences to
any of the Muslim community who were in any way hurt in yesterday's
attacks,
With love and respect
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| 11/07/2005 |
| A.P. Garry |
Dear sir, let me say immediately that as a non Muslim two things on
television among all the horrors shown today left me felling sad and
angry. First was this evening when a saw an elderly gentleman of your
faith who, along with others members of his family, had come to find his
granddaughter who was missing. He was in tears and my heart went out to
him and his family, such sadness and sorrow must be hard to bear even
with his faith to help him.
The second was the reports of the fear felt by some of your faith of the
possible reprisals simply because of their beliefs or the cloths they
ware. This is as intolerable as the acts carried out in London
yesterday. I was not in London yesterday but was, years ago, during
another bombing carried out by the IRA. This did not turn people against
Irish men and women because of who they were neither should yesterday
cause hate and resentment of those of the Muslim faith.
Although we are all reviled by yesterdays cowardly acts we do not all
immediately point the finger at everyone who has the same beliefs and
although I can not control the feelings and acts of my fellows I will
say now, you have my sincere apologies, for what it is worth, for any
hurt or insult unjustly levelled simply because you have different beliefs.
With a very heavy heart for all those who suffered yesterday
Yours faithfully
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| 11/07/2005 |
| Tom |
Dear Sirs
I wish to say how sorry I am that some extremists have sent you hate mail. I
am sure I speak for the majority of ordinary British people when I say that
I know that the persons who committed the bombings in London do not
represent Islam or Muslims in the UK.
I just felt I had to let you know that you have the support of all
good-minded people, whatever their race or religion. I sincerely hope that
there is no 'backlash' against ordinary Muslims.
I grew up in Walthamstow in East London in the 1960's and 1970's, and my
elderly parents still live there, so I have a particularly strong feeling
for what has happened in the city. I am now a teacher in a town on the south
coast of England. I do not follow any religion, but I try to act in a way
that is motivated by good intentions to all people. I can tell you that all
my colleagues would agree with me, and also most of the children aged 11-16
that I teach. Of course, there are children who say bad and racist things,
and we always challenge them to think more carefully.
You are busy people, so I do not need you to reply to me, but please make
sure you let your followers know that you are getting messages of support
too. I am sure that you will receive other messages of support like this.
Best wishes to all good Muslim people.
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| 11/07/2005 |
|
I have just heard that you have received thousands of hate emails. I
would like you to know that there is at least one family here that sends
our thoughts to you & sincerely hopes that there is no backlash
whatsoever against the Muslims in this country or anywhere else.
This is a very tiny gesture in the scheme of things but any loving
positive thought may help
Best regards
The Kingdons in Thatcham, Berkshire
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| 11/07/2005 |
| Sarah Evans |
Dear Sir/Madam
Having closely followed the TV coverage of the London bombings over the last two days with great sadness, I was horrified to hear that Muslims had received abusive emails.
These attacks have nothing to do with Islam. I am not a Muslim but I know Muslims are lovely people worthy of great respect, as is their religion.
I can assure you that you have my full support and I offer my deepest sympathy for all those who have lost loved ones and who have been injured,
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| 11/07/2005 |
|
Dear Sir,
I am not against any religion, but in the current circumstances of the
London tragedy would it not be reasonable to ask, the Muslim women to
dis-regard the burker, the face cloth worn. I know this is asking
alot...but it would go some way to reassurring white English, (and again
I'm not racist) that the Muslims are "on the face of it" no different..
And our prayers are with all those in London who have suffered,
Christian, Muslim, Jew etc etc
Regards.
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| 11/07/2005 |
| Ian Mackrell |
I expect that over the next few weeks and months Muslims in the UK will
be subject to attacks, verbal or physical, from the mad, the bad, and
the stupid.
May I just say that there are many people like me who know that true
Muslims deplore and condemn the murders and maimings not only as against
the real teaching of Islam, but also on grounds of common humanity. We
also deplore and condemn any assaults on our fellow citizens who are
Muslims.
Sir Iqbal Sacranie said that we must not allow the violence to divide
us, and we will not. As this nation, including those of German
descent, once defeated Hitler, so today's Britons of whatever religion
or origin must stand together to defeat the new barbarians.
May good luck attend all of us.
Regards
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| 11/07/2005 |
| Sam |
Dear Sir,
Muslims should be invited to take part of a march to the streets
of London to demonstrate against the series of bomb attacks which struck
London on Thursday.
Muslims should condemn this act and show the whole world that this
terrorist will not win and will not harm islam and muslims as well as
non-muslims.
Please arrange this event and announce it in all mosques.
Thanks
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| 11/07/2005 |
| W.B.Lowe |
Dear Sir.
I am a British born Christian aged 68. At the time I was born we were part of the British Empire, and at school I was taught that every person in that Empire was part of my extended family, and to this day I still believe in that extended family, you and the people of your faith are part of a new extended family the British family of faiths and nations, that live together on these islands.
Please do not feel that a backlash is coming to your people after the terrible London bombings, there are many who believe as I do, and we all stand together against all types of terrorism, whether it be directed at Muslim, Jew, or Christian, and will defend you and your people, as we would any other in our community.
God bless you all
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| 11/07/2005 |
| Paul |
Dear Sir/Madam,
I write this in support of British Muslims some of whom I know will feel
threatened after Thursdays sickening events in the hope this will add
some balance to the hate mails you may receive. And I also hope you
will feel confident that there are many thousands of decent intelligent
people from all races/religions around this part of London who will
offer vocal support where needed.
This atrocity has hurt us all equally.
Sincerely
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| 11/07/2005 |
| Andy |
| As a British Christian I would like you to know that I am praying that
British muslims will not be unfairly persecuted by those non muslims who
are - understandably - angered by the disgusting crimes perpetrated
yesterday in London. Nor are we blind to the suffering inflicted on
muslim communities across the world, particularly in Palestine and Iraq.
I pray, in Gods name, that peace and tolerance may prevail over hatred
and bigotry.
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| 11/07/2005 |
| M. Laurence |
Thank you for your thoughtful words on your web site regarding the
London bombings.
Let us all try to work together in peace and harmony, to be a stronger
force against those who try to destroy.
Bedfordshir
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| 11/07/2005 |
| Mark |
Dear all
I learn from the news that some frightened, misguided people have sent
threatening and unloving messages to you and those of your faith. I
wanted to add my voice to the balance which loves and respects all
people of every faith. Although we are not muslims my family values the
beautiful generosity and compassion which your religion is founded upon.
We are with you and share in the loss which your faith, too, has had to
bear.
We will pray for all of those affected by yesterday, as I know you will,
and I am sorry if you have had to endure any more hatred than that which
has already been delivered upon us all.
May love reign
Yours
|
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| 11/07/2005 |
| John Coppins |
After hearing on the ITV programme tonight that Muslim organisations
received thousands of threatening emails within hours of the bombings in
London yesterday, I feel moved to offer my sympathies towards those of
the Islamic faith who are suffering from these ill considered acts as
well as those that were injured in the acts of violence themselves. Rest
assured that these people are not representative of the feelings of the
vast majority of Christians and other faiths and that men of violence
will never hold sway within this country as long as all faiths unite in
defiance of those that seek to undermine our multicultural society.
Unfortunately, as with the period following the attacks in New York, I
feel it is inevitable that some malicious acts will be perpetrated
against more innocent Muslims for which I can only express my deepest
sorrow and profound regrets. Have faith and we will all come through
this together.
Regards,
|
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Page 215
For further information please contact the MCB:
The Muslim Council of Britain
PO Box 52
Wembley
HA9 0XW
Tel: 020 8903 9650
Fax: 020 8903 9026
admin@mcb.org.uk
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