‘We have to be strong in our resolve, in our shared humanity’

Once again the world mourns the loss of innocent lives.

The recent attack in Manchester has yet again shocked and angered the world; time and again we see barbarous acts perpetrated against society’s most precious asset: its youth.

Across the world, children continue to be targeted in an attempt to break the spirit of those who should live in peace and harmony, and are victims both in centres of peace and the crossfire of war. 

My thoughts and prayers, and those of my entire family, go out to the many families who are facing the world without a loved one by their side today.

The tragic scenes and stories that are coming out of Manchester are becoming all too familiar.

At the time of writing, we hear that another harrowing attack took place in Egypt — against their Arab Coptic community.

Twenty-four men, women and children have been massacred whilst on pilgrimage by sociopaths.

The holy month of Ramadan has just begun — a month that should be a period of peace, reflection and calm.

Let us hope and pray that this will not be a month of pain, harm and blood.

We have to be strong in our resolve, and in our individual faiths, in our shared humanity.

And even if this pernicious evil should befall us again, we must not let it dampen our resolve.

Sadly, it is clear that the people who have committed these recent atrocities have strayed from the true path of Islam.

The perpetrators of these hideous crimes do not recognise the God we share. This is merely hatred masquerading as religion.

It is my firm belief that the issues that bind us far outweigh the issues that draw us apart.

This is not only a time for retribution, for blame or anger for many of us. It is a time for comforting and healing.

But also for asking why.

In the Middle East, we have seen extremist groups, one after another, attempting to destroy our peoples, our common cultural heritage, our history and something more precious than all of this: our future.

Though it might sometimes appear that these nihilists are winning the day, we must still look forward and strive to forge a way to win a future for our youth.

My prayers are with the people of Manchester, and for the young of the world, wherever they may live.