Freedom of religion is one of our most precious democratic rights. It took
hundreds of years, including international and civil wars, to establish the
right of every individual to freely pursue their religious beliefs subject
only to their conscience and to the necessary and proportionate protection
of the rights and the freedoms of others. It must be defended against every
challenge.
Britain today faces a systematic campaign by sections of the media and some
politicians, fanned by the BNP, to undermine this right by sowing hatred
against Muslims. This has culminated in physical attacks, fire bombings and
assaults on women. This campaign constitutes an attack on civil and religious
liberties including an attempt to suppress the right of persons of all faiths
to dress in accordance with their religious convictions. It must be strongly
opposed – as indeed should any attack on the rights of Christians,
Jews, Sikhs or any other religious group.
It is necessary for all democrats,
of all faiths and none, to come together to defend these basic principles
of freedom of religion and culture.
As the first step, Faith groups are coming together with all political
parties and communities to a central London public rally to support Freedom
of religion and culture and to call for an end to the recent attacks on
Muslims.
Date: 20th November 2006
Venue: Methodist Central Hall Westminster, London. SW1H
9NH
Time: 6.00 pm to 9.30 pm
The aim is to develop a national campaign to defend freedom of religion and
culture and to combat the rise of Islamophobia.
The rally is called by the British Muslim Initiative and Liberty and
supported by: the Muslim Council of Britain, the Mayor of London, Pax Christi, Muslim
Association of Britain, Stop the War coalition, CND, Unison, UCU, National
Assembly Against Racism, the 1990 Trust, Islamic Forum Europe, the Cordoba
Foundation, Muslims for JUSTICE and PEACE, Islamic Human Rights Commission,
Islam Channel, Islamic Times, Dawatul Islam, Assembly for the Protection of
Hijab, Friends of Al Aqsa and IWitness.