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Within a few miles, the two faces of our society
• IT was both shocking and disturbing to read accounts of attacks on Muslim students at City University (Campus moves to calm fears after attacks, November 13).
In the same edition of the Tribune, there were articles and photographs of memorial services for the dead in wars this century and last, attended by young and old.
The centre pages carried words and pictures of our Service of Remembrance at St Mellitus Church, where the local imam with Muslim friends had taken part.
How distressingly contradictory our society is: that in Tollington Park Christians and Muslims should combine to pray and a mile or two away gangs of people set about cruelly harassing the faithful at their prayer and on their way back to their homes.
And that they do this simply because they cannot tolerate anyone who is different from themselves.
We wish to express our disgust at what occurred.
Elizabeth O’Donohoe
On behalf of St Mellitus’ Justice and Peace Group, N4
• I WAS deeply shocked to learn about the attacks on members of the City University Islamic Society in St John Street, Finsbury, last week.
I am Jewish and know well from my community the terrible places that discrimination and thuggery can lead to.
I have been a local resident for more than 20 years and am immensely proud of the mixing of cultures and beliefs we have in EC1.
It is one of the strengths of our city and our area, and those who carried out the assaults attacked us all.
David Baker
Amwell Street, EC1
• RESIDENTS are rightly horrified at the recent apparently Islamophobic and racially motivated attacks on City University students. The borough’s good reputation for community relations is being tarnished by the actions of a few isolated individuals.
The council is now working with police and City University to make sure the perpetrators are caught.
Anyone with any information or concerns should contact the Clerkenwell Safer Neighbourhoods team on 020 7421 0218 or go to www.met.police.uk/islington for more information.
Cllr Terry Stacy
Lib Dem leader, Islington Council
• ALL decent people will condemn these attacks. The whole community must now come together to combat race and hate crime. Anyone with any information that will bring these people to justice should contact police urgently.
I want to pay tribute to the local police’s response. The Muslim and local community have been greatly reassured by the extra police patrols in Clerkenwell and by the extra crime prevention measures put in place with the university.
Cllr Marisha Ray
Lib Dem, Clerkenwell |
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