A number of faith leaders, the three party group leaders on Birmingham City Council and the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner, issued a joint statement in response to the news the English Defence League plan to stage a demonstration in the city on October 11:
“What the EDL just does not seem to understand is that Birmingham’s diversity is what makes it what it is – a brilliant, thriving, creative and tolerant city. Sadly, the EDL has nothing to contribute to that,” the diverse team of Birmingham said. “When the EDL comes yet again to Birmingham this month, the best thing we can do as a city is treat it like any other Saturday, because it is just any other Saturday. We will not let ourselves be defined by intolerance and prejudice. We are Birmingham, and together we show the world every day how our diversity helps us thrive.
“What the EDL just does not seem to understand is that Birmingham’s diversity is what makes it what it is – a brilliant, thriving, creative and tolerant city. Sadly, the EDL has nothing to contribute to that.
“When the EDL comes yet again to Birmingham this month, the best thing we can do as a city is treat it like any other Saturday, because it is just any other Saturday. We will not let ourselves be defined by intolerance and prejudice. We are Birmingham, and together we show the world every day how our diversity helps us thrive.
The signatories include:
Sir Albert Bore – Leader of Birmingham City Council (Labour), Cllr Robert Alden – Leader of the Opposition (Conservative), Cllr Paul Tilsley – Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group; David Jamieson – West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner; John Beard – Chairman of Birmingham Buddhist Vihara Trust; Rabbi Dr Margaret Jacobi – Birmingham Progressive Synagogue; Most Reverend Bernard Longley – Roman Catholic Archbishop of Birmingham; Abdul Rashid – Treasurer, Birmingham Central Mosque; Bhai Sahib Bhai Dr Mohinder Singh – Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha; Sewa Singh Mandla – Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha; Right Reverend David Urquhart – Bishop of Birmingham