| United in condemnation: United in grief | - Manchester Peace Garden
- off St Peter's Square, behind Town Hall
- 12 noon
- Sunday 17 July
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The campaign - 'United in condemnation, united in grief' - has been instigated by Muslim leaders in Manchester. They're urging people of all faiths to come together for a peace rally in the Peace Gardens near the Town Hall. Attending the event on Sunday 17 July, will be the city's Lord Mayor Mohammed Afzal Khan and MP for Manchester Central Tony Lloyd.
 | | Lord Mayor of Manchester Afzal Khan |
Event organiser Khalid Anis said that since last Thursday's tragedy, there had been outpouring of grief and condemnation - not just in London but across the country. "I have been speaking to Muslim colleagues and other faiths and I think that they all feel the same: United in condemnation of the London bombing, united in grief about the victims of the bombing and united in their resolve to work together for a stronger, better Britain." Police say the four bombers were all British Muslims from West Yorkshire. And while it's not yet known whether they were acting alone, or as part of a terror group like Al-Qaida, many Muslims fear a backlash. Mr Anis - who is a spokesman for the Islamic Society of Britain - stressed that the vast majority of Muslims in Britain are tolerant and law-abiding and the Muslim community condemned acts of violence.
 | | Peace Garden, Manchester |
"There is no doubt that the perpertrators of this crime who say they come from a Muslim background have perverted their religious beliefs if they have done this in the name of Islam. The people who did this have nothing to do with Islam and the beliefs of Islam." "It鈥檚 very important the people know how the Muslim community are feeling." Adding: "Maybe there are question marks about that..." Mr Anis urged anyone of any faith to stand shoulder to shoulder in the Peace Gardens on Sunday. "We are inviting members of the public to join together in a stance for peace and in condemning this atrocity. This is how we will get through this time, and we will be a stronger Britain." "Manchester does have something to say: the emotions that we have heard have been so strong, so powerful in condemning this act. What we hope is that this event will give a voice to that feeling."
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