The British Muslim community is “anxious” because of the planned protests this weekend, a faith leader has said.
Muslim, Jewish and Christian faith leaders gathered outside Southport Mosque in a call for communities to reject hatred and stand together.
Qari Asim, chair of The Mosques and Imams National Advisory Board, read a joint statement standing alongside Pete Spiers, Archdeacon of Knowsley and Sefton and chair of the Sefton Faith Forum, and Rabbi Robyn Ashworth Steen, co-chair of the Assembly of Reform Rabbis. and Cantors in the UK.
Before he read the statement, he said: “So British Muslim scholars have come from across the breadth and breadth of the country to show how much they care about the community in Southport.
“And that's because it's driven by our faith Islam, which teaches us to be kind, to show respect to people of all faiths and backgrounds. And this is a religion of peace and harmony.
“And we want to see that peace and harmony not only just in Southport, but across the country where people are living in anxiety, the British Muslim community is anxious this weekend because of the proposed plans and protests by the far-right members, and we pray that God Almighty brings peace and happiness and joy to all of the communities in the UK.”