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After the deadly attack at the concert of Ariana Grande in Manchester, communities all across the UK are paying their respect to the victims. The approach to do so is based on unity and solidarity between people of all faiths and backgrounds. Many Islamic institutions, Imams and other non-religious leaders in their communities have urged that the people shall not be divided and have called on the communities to come together and help those in need. Here is just a small part of what the Muslim community has done and is doing in response to the attack.
Muslims Taxi Drivers Giving Free Lifts and Helping Victims
After the attack, taxi drivers from all religions and backgrounds brought the attendants of the concert to safe places away from the danger and panic at the scene of the attack. Passengers praised the Muslim drivers through various tweets online. “A Muslim driver took me home last night gave me water and charged my phone. Absolutely stars in my eyes.”, tweeted one. “our Muslim taxi driver directed us to a safe place and said he would never have Left us, he waited till we could get to him”, tweeted another.
It was a Muslim taxi driver that got me out of that hellish situation and to safety. People need to watch their words.
— Laura Rachel. (@L_Hurst) May 23, 2017
'Muslims are to blame'- When in reality Muslim taxi drivers are offering free lifts, and a Muslim doctor working into the night saving lives
— Joshua (@JoshhWoods) May 22, 2017
@JoshhWoods @mattjcorner Absolutely a muslim driver took me home last night gave me water and charged my phone. Absolutely stars in my eyes.
— Mark (@marktitman) May 23, 2017
Muslims Doctors and Nurses Saving Lives of Victims
Not only taxi drivers, but also the doctors and nurses were praised online through tweets of people supporting their efforts. “Muslims are to blame’- When really Muslim taxi drivers are offering free lifts, and Muslim doctors working late saving lives”, read one tweet. “The reality is Muslim taxi drivers are offering free lifts, Muslim doctors working saving lives, Muslim o-negative blood donated”, read another.
The reality is Muslim taxi drivers are offering free lifts, Muslim doctors working saving lives, Muslim o-negative blood donated #Manchester
— Kate Teneighty (@KTeneighty) May 23, 2017
Fund-raisings Led by Muslim Communities
There have been several initiatives by Muslims to raise funds for the victims of the attack and their families. One particular fund-raising initiated by Muslim Engagement and Development (MEND), has already raised more than £4000 for the families of those affected by the attack. “The Muslim community stands shoulder to shoulder with victims (and their families) of these atrocities.”, said Dr Shazad Amin, the CEO of MEND. Another cause led by the Britisch Muslim Heritage Centre together with many parties such as the Islamic Society of Britain, Forum for Change and many more has almost raised £2500 in just a few hours. “We wish to respond to evil with good, as our faith instructs us, and send a powerful message of compassion through action.”, the fund-raise page reads.
Muslim Engagement and Development
https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/muslims-for-manchester-victims
Britisch Muslim Heritage Centre
https://www.launchgood.com/project/muslimsformanchester#/
Londen Central Mosque Arranges Event to Pay Respect to The Victims
Dr. Ahmad Al Dubayan, the Director General of the Islamic Cultural Centre & London Central Mosque Trust, announced in Tuesday the 23th of May that an event was arranged with the presence of the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis. He invited people from all faiths and background to attend this event to pay their respect to the victims: “There has been an overwhelming desire by people from all different faiths and backgrounds wanting to pay their respect to those who lost their lives, suffered injury and to show that #WeStandTogether” against all forms of extremism and hate”, the Director General wrote.
Imams and Many Islamic Institutions Condemning The Attack
Countless institutions have condemned the attack among which the Muslim Council of Britian and Mohammad Shafiq, chief executive of the Ramadhan Foundation, calling this day the “darkest day in the city’s history”. He also insisted “the people of Manchester would not be divided” and would instead “mourn, remember the victims and get on with our lives”. This is exactly what the people of Manchester are working for: unity. David Walker, bishop of Manchester, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that he “will chair a meeting of all the faith leaders from Greater Manchester. We know each other very well, we’re very used to coming together and sharing with one another at a very deep level. We all have the interests of the city and one another at heart. We’re united.”
This article is written by Batoul Mesdaghi.
