Archbishop of Canterbury: Attacks on Muslims are 'unacceptable' and 'inexcusable'

By: Benjamin Russel-July 22, 2013

THE ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY has condemned recent attacks on Muslims following the murder of Fusilier Lee Rigby as "unacceptable" and " inexcusable ".

The Archbishop of Canterbury was speaking at a

Diversity is a gift, not a threat, it is a hope, not a danger

The Archbishop of Canterbury

Addressing an inter-faith audience gathered at Featherstone High School in Southall, west London, the Most Rev Justin Welby said he did not want to live in a "monocultural" society.

He said: "The attacks on minority ethnic groups across the country that there have been over the last few weeks are inexecusable, unacceptable and a scandal to a tradition of hospitality in this country of which we should be deeply proud and which has contributed far more to us than it has taken from us.

"I want, as I have already done, to acknowledge the pressure that our Muslim friends and colleagues have faced over the last few weeks.

"There have been terrible attacks, I know that the vast majority of those in this country and especially people of faith would join me in condemning utterly any act of violence against anyone because of their faith.

"We want you to know that we stand with you, we will do so privately and publicly. We will do so persistently and I pray in the grace of God, persuasively.

"We will do all we can to support the security forces, the police, in bringing to justice those who seek to spread hate and cause division in our community."

The Most Rev Welby told his audience that diversity was a "gift not a threat" and he "rejoiced" in the example of inter faith cooperation and community work he had witnessed in Southall.

"The kind of country I want to live in has as one of its best examples what goes on in this area. I don't want to live in something that is monocultural,” he said.

The Archbishop of Canterbury speaking after the attack on Lee Rigby

The Most Rev Welby was speaking after visiting St John's Church, the Shree Ram Mandir Hindu Temple and the Sikh Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha, where 20,000 free meals are served every week in Southall. 

The Archbishop also met Muslim leaders, currently observing the Ramadan fast, at the Central Jamia Masjid Mosque in Southall.

The Most Rev Welby said the work done by different faiths he had witnessed in Southall were an example of the "kind of country that I am proud to be in."

He said: "It is hard to say that religion is a spent force when you come to Southall, this is something that people need to see and hear, it is hard to argue against diversity in a place like this.”

During his visit the Archbishop announced a £25,000 grant from a discretionary fund for a new centre hosted by Christians in Southall but providing a range of services including debt counselling to all groups.