Faith leaders pray for victims of Westminster attack

The Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Vincent Nichols, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Most Rev Justin Welby and the Faiths Forum, representing many churches, faith groups and organisations, issued statements on Wednesday following the terrorist attack in Westminster which has left five dead and about 40 injured.

Cardinal Vincent Nichols wrote on his twitter page: "We pray tonight for the victims, their families, for all affected by this terrible attack and those who responded so bravely."

Most Rev Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury tweeted: "Praying tonight for those grieving loved ones - and those injured and traumatised - after the brutal and senseless attack in Westminster."

The Faiths Forum issued the following statement: "We, as representatives of many of London's faith communities, deplore the terrible attack that has taken place today at Parliament and Westminster bridge.

All of our religions exalt the sanctity of human life. There is no justification for such a barbaric assault on innocent people. Terrorism has no place on our streets.

We pray for the victims of this attack, and call for Londoners, and our nation to stand together at this time.

We will redouble our efforts to work for peace, compassion, understanding and hope."

Signatories:

Father Gerard Mitchell SJ, Co-Chair, Faiths Forum for London
Jasvir Singh OBE, Co-Chair, Faiths Forum for London
Dr Deesha Chadha, Hindu Forum of Britain
Leonie Lewis, London Jewish Forum
Dr Natubhai Shah, MBE, The Jain Network
Yousif Al-Khoei OBE, Al-Khoei Foundation
Fred Ashmore, London Quakers
Jon Dal Din, Westminster Interfaith
Malcolm Deboo, Zoroastrian Trust Fund of Europe
Bhavesh Dharni, National Hindu Students' Forum
Annabel Djalili, National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís
Revd Margaret Cave, London Churches
Captain Nick Coke, Salvation Army @nicholascoke
The Ven Duncan Green, Diocese of London
Rajnish Kashyap, Hindu Council UK @HinduCouncilUK
Dilowar Hussain Khan, London Muslim Centre
Revd David Musgrave, London Methodist District
Revd Kumar Rajagopalan, London Baptists
Ven. Bogoda Seelawimala, London Buddhist Vihara
Koser Shaheen, Association of Muslim Lawyers
Talat Shaikh, Muslim Community & Education Centre
Rabbi Deborah Young-Somers, London Jewish Forum
Rt Revd Dr Donnett Thomas, Churches Together in South London
Revd Steven Saxby, London Churches @LondonChurches
Catriona Robertson, London Boroughs Faith Network @multifaith
The Ven. Luke Miller, Faith Sector Panel @ArchdeaconLuke
Maurice Ostro OBE, Founding Patron, Faiths Forum for London
Don de Silva, Buddhist Chaplain
The Rt Revd Pete Broadbent, Deputy Bishop of London
The Rt Revd Adrian Newman, Bishop of Stepney
Ismet Rawat, Association of Muslim Lawyers
Mustafa Field, Director, Faiths Forum for London @LondonFaiths