‘NOT in our name!’ – that was the message spoken loud and clear as representatives from Redditch’s diverse communities gathered at St Stephens Church on Tuesday.
They were there to express their horror at events in Paris, where 192 people were killed by Isis terrorists last Friday, their solidarity with the people of France and to re-state the powerful bonds that bind Redditch together.
Even as the rain battered down they stood by the war memorial, put their umbrellas to one side, unfurled a French Tricolour and held candles as symbols of peace.
Afterwards, inside St Stephens, the Rev Paul Lawlor addressed the 30-strong group which included community leaders, the borough’s mayor, Councillor Pattie Hill, and the leader of Redditch council, Coun Bill Hartnett.
“Together we are appalled at the events that have taken place in Paris; we stand together in our humanity and we stand together to say that it is not in our name that such evil is carried out,” he said. “As people of faith and no particular faith, we hold the people of Paris in our hearts.”
Speaking afterwards Nazura Noor said: “We totally reject these acts of terrorism – they are un-Islamic – they have nothing to do with Islam.”
Boon Yeng of the Chinese community added: “I’m mindful of unity and suffering and it’s at times like this that we appreciate the things we have in common.”
Abdul Ullah of award winning Redditch restaurant Champagne Express said: “I followed events as they unfolded on Friday; I was shocked and disgusted by what I saw. The people who carried out these acts are nothing more than murderers.”
