Archbishop of Canterbury to attend interfaith peace vigil in Downing Street

The Archbishop of Canterbury will be joined by an Imam, a Rabbi, and other faith and community leaders, outside Downing Street on Sunday afternoon, in a vigil to commemorate the loss of civilians on all sides of the Israel-Gaza conflict.

Since the catastrophic events of 7 October, and the ongoing bombardment of Gaza and attacks on the West Bank, there has been a great increase in anti-Semitic and anti-Muslim incidents across the UK. Organiser Brendan Cox said: "We want to give voice to the mass majority of people whose viewpoints may differ but who share a sense of loss for the civilians killed on both sides."

Brendan has campaigned for community cohesion since his wife, Labour MP Jo Cox, was murdered in 2016, by a far-right extremist a week before the Brexit referendum.

He said: "We know that people of different faiths can live together in this country. While we might not agree on everything we can agree on humanity and our rejection of hatred."

The event, called 'Building Bridges For Humanity' will take place at 3pm on Richmond Terrace opposite Downing Street.

Speakers will be: Most Rev Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury, Imam Monawar Hussain, Founder of The Oxford Foundation, Rabbi David Mason, Executive Director of HIAS+JCORE, Robi Damelin, Director of International Relations at the Parents Circle Families Forum, Hamze Awawde, Palestinian peace activist, Layla Moran MP for Oxford West and Abingdon, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and International Development, Mira Awad,Palestinian-Israeli Singer, Actress and Activist, Magen Inon London-based Israeli teacher and son of Yakovi and Bilha Inon, both murdered in Israel on 7 October, The Rt Revd Lusa Nsenga-Ngoy, Bishop of Willesden, and Brendan Cox Co-founder, the Together Coalition.

All are invited to attend. Participants will be bringing lanterns and candles.

Brenda Cox said the vigil is "Just the beginning" with more events planned across the UK on 13 December. "People are crying out for this kind of opportunity" he said.

Together For Humanity is a growing coalition of faith and community organsations, set up on 15 November 2023. For more information see: https://togetherforhumanity.co.uk/