The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) has expressed its horror at the two atrocities in Toulouse, France. The victims in these linked events were three paratroopers – two Muslims and one Catholic and at the Ozar Hatorah school, a rabbi, his two young sons and the head teacher’s seven-year-old daughter. A fourth youth was injured.
“While further information is awaited on the suspect(s), one thing is certain: that this was cold-blooded murder, crimes that we utterly condemn. The killing of innocent people is a crime against humanity and never condoned in our faith,” said Farooq Murad, Secretary General of the MCB, the largest representative body of Muslims in Britain.
He said, “Jews, Muslims and Christians were killed alike in France by a man whose only creed was hate and anger – he acted on behalf of no faith, no cause and no community.”
He added, ”We will be working with our counterparts in France and other faith communities to ensure that we remain united and resolved against such violence. This is the true spirit of our faith. Our heartfelt condolences go out to all the victims and their families, to the Jewish, Muslim and other communities in France.”
Having lived through 7/7 and its aftermath, the MCB hopes that the UK experience of the community, police and government working together to preserve harmony and understanding will also be adopted in France.