Gloucester Engages Muslims
People of all faiths have come together at Gloucester interfaith event to help the British people get a better understanding of Islam and Muslims.
"Until what happened a few months ago, we had thought we were doing a great job in engaging with the community but obviously a lot of work still needs to be done," the city's first Muslim Sheriff, Said Hansdot.
Titled, Engaging with Islam, the event was set up by St James' and Christ Church to create more understanding of the growing faith.
It took place on Saturday at St James' in Tredworth between 10:00 and 16:00 BST.
The event plans followed an arson attack on Gloucester mosque last June 18 by two men who pleaded guilty to setting it on fire.
Both defendants are due to be sentenced in November.
A recent research published last June by The Independent newspaper showed that between 40 and 60 per cent of mosques and other Islamic centers (around 700) had been targeted since 9/11.
The number of anti-Islamic attacks has increased as much as tenfold in the days that followed the Woolwich murder of Drummer Lee Rigby.
The research warned that Islamophobic attacks spreading across Britain have also targeted Muslims at home in the past month.
A series of attacks against Muslim targets included three terrorist bombings targeted at different mosques in West Midlands in July.
Tell Mama project, which monitors anti-Muslim attacks in Britain, has also reported 212 “anti-Muslim incidents” after the Woolwich attack.
The figure included 11 attacks on mosques, in a series manifestation of anti-Muslim sentiments.
Taking responsibility in the city, the Muslim mayor was keen on extending interfaith relations between members of all faiths.
"In my role as the sheriff of Gloucester, I'm taking that duty very seriously,” Hansdot, who is the first Muslim sheriff of Gloucester, said.
"I do go to other churches, cathedrals and temples with other religious faiths as well.
"I do engage with these communities, just to show them that 'look I am one of you and I am here to represent you as well'."
Britain is home to a Muslim community of nearly 2.7 million.
In 2011, think tank Demo found that Muslims in the United Kingdom are more patriotic than the rest of population.
Responding to the statement “I am proud to be a British citizen”, 83% of Muslims said they are proud of being British.
Source: On Islam
Titled, Engaging with Islam, the event was set up by St James' and Christ Church to create more understanding of the growing faith.
It took place on Saturday at St James' in Tredworth between 10:00 and 16:00 BST.
The event plans followed an arson attack on Gloucester mosque last June 18 by two men who pleaded guilty to setting it on fire.
Both defendants are due to be sentenced in November.
A recent research published last June by The Independent newspaper showed that between 40 and 60 per cent of mosques and other Islamic centers (around 700) had been targeted since 9/11.
The number of anti-Islamic attacks has increased as much as tenfold in the days that followed the Woolwich murder of Drummer Lee Rigby.
The research warned that Islamophobic attacks spreading across Britain have also targeted Muslims at home in the past month.
A series of attacks against Muslim targets included three terrorist bombings targeted at different mosques in West Midlands in July.
Tell Mama project, which monitors anti-Muslim attacks in Britain, has also reported 212 “anti-Muslim incidents” after the Woolwich attack.
The figure included 11 attacks on mosques, in a series manifestation of anti-Muslim sentiments.
Taking responsibility in the city, the Muslim mayor was keen on extending interfaith relations between members of all faiths.
"In my role as the sheriff of Gloucester, I'm taking that duty very seriously,” Hansdot, who is the first Muslim sheriff of Gloucester, said.
"I do go to other churches, cathedrals and temples with other religious faiths as well.
"I do engage with these communities, just to show them that 'look I am one of you and I am here to represent you as well'."
Britain is home to a Muslim community of nearly 2.7 million.
In 2011, think tank Demo found that Muslims in the United Kingdom are more patriotic than the rest of population.
Responding to the statement “I am proud to be a British citizen”, 83% of Muslims said they are proud of being British.
Source: On Islam
