Local Harrogate religious leaders call for tolerance, calm and respect
Left to right: Bernard Cohen, President of Harrogate Synagogue; Mrs Roma Cohen; Andrew Jones MP; The Revd Alan Garrow and Imam Hasan Muhammad.
A plea for tolerance, calm and respect has been issued by Harrogate’s religious leaders as the conflict in the Middle East continues.
Local MP Andrew Jones met with the Imam of the Harrogate mosque, the President of the Harrogate synagogue and the Vicar of St Peter’s Church, The Revd Alan Garrow, on Monday 13th November to discuss the ongoing situation and the positions of Muslims and Jews in Harrogate and Knaresborough and nationwide.
Mr Jones commented, "I am grateful to the Imam, the President of the synagogue and The Revd Garrow for coming together to emphasise a message of tolerance, calm and respect. Islamophobic and antisemitic acts are unacceptable and I am pleased that we seem not to be experiencing an increase in this kind of hatred locally.
This meeting is important because it demonstrates that whatever our beliefs we are compassionate beings sharing humanitarian values and respecting one another."
Hasan Muhammad, Imam of the Harrogate Islamic Association, added, "It is good to stand together with Mr Cohen calling for peace and understanding between faiths and, specifically at this moment, between their followers. Harrogate people are well-known for being welcoming and accepting. These are values we should cherish as we live our lives in respect and understanding and celebrate both what makes us different and what we share. As-salamu alaykum"
Bernard Cohen, President of the Harrogate synagogue continued, "The Iman and I meeting today vividly demonstrates that although being of different faiths there is no difference in our humanity and our values of respect, tolerance, community and a desire for peace. We call on everyone in Harrogate and beyond to embrace these shared values and to exhibit them in all they do. Shalom."