Welby denounces ‘evil’ and ‘inexcusable’ attacks on Muslims

The Most Rev Justin Welby (PA)

The Archbishop of Canterbury declared that he does not want to live in a “monocultural” society as he condemned “unacceptable” and “inexcusable” attacks on Muslims over recent weeks.

The Most Rev Justin Welby spoke of “evil actions”, whether the murder of Fusilier Lee Rigby earlier this year or attacks on mosques, as he addressed an inter-faith audience gathered at Featherstone High School in Southall, west London.

“The attacks on minority ethnic groups across the country that there have been over the last few weeks are inexcusable, 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,” he said.

He added: “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.”

PA