In violent times, the Dean visits Mosque in ‘peace and friendship’.

On Sunday 4^th August, the Dean, Mark Oakley, paid a visit to the Old Kent Road Mosque in ‘peace and friendship’ at a time when violence is being shown to Muslims and other minorities in cities across England. The President of the Mosque, Abdul Jelil-Oladejo, kindly invited the Dean to address the congregation, after saying how grateful he was that the Dean had generously been in touch to ‘check on our welfare’.

Mark assured the congregation that he simply wanted to come in peace to say that the Cathedral stood in friendship and solidarity, standing against the hate in person and on-line being shown to members of their community. He said he knew how afraid and vulnerable many in the Muslim community are at the moment. He wanted them to know that they had friends in the Christian community at the Cathedral.

The Dean has also sent a greeting of goodwill to the Baitul Aziz Mosque, also in the locality, and has received an invitation to meet the people there.

‘I am very conscious in these dark days that many men, women and children are victims of deep and often violent and racist hate, meaning they live intimidated lives that are inhibited and reduced by fear’, said Mark.  ‘The rise of hate crime against Jews and Muslims, as well as people of other faiths, is of great concern and Christians need to stand up alongside them, visibly speaking out against such hate. All people should be able to pray and worship, as well as walk in our streets, and live in our localities, in safety. As Christians, our Lord was clear, we are to love our neighbour as ourselves’.