Sri Lanka: solidarity and condolences

Following the horrendous terrorists bombs on Easter Sunday in Sri Lanka and the subsequent reprisals against Muslims, I sent the letter below on behalf of ARMS Mersey to the Sri Lanka High Commissioner to the UK. I am confident all ARMS members will endorse the sentiment and, after New Zealand, I sincerely hope this kind of letter does not become a regular item of correspondence from our group.

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19th May 2019

His Excellency Manisha Gunasekera 

Sri Lanka High Commissioner to the UK
No.13, Hyde Park Gardens,
London W2 2LU

Dear High Commissioner,

I am writing to express the horror of the PCS ARMS Mersey committee and membership at the terrorist mass murders that were committed in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday. We have also been dismayed by the recent reprisals against Muslim-owned businesses, mosques and houses as we feel the Easter Sunday attacks were intended to provoke such a response.

Terrorists cannot abide peaceful coexistence and care little when their co-religionists are killed or injured in the violent chaos they seek to provoke. In fact, that is their aim as they want Sri Lankan Muslims to respond violently to attacks against them by rising up against non-Muslims. Everywhere, we must oppose all types of fanaticism and not allow it to divide our communities – the only effective way to peace is through unity in diversity.

We in ARMS oppose all forms of bigotry and intolerance wherever they arise. We extend our deepest sympathies to the families and friends of the victims of these horrific murders, our solidarity with the people in Sri Lanka and our sorrow that such grief has been brought to your country.

Yours sincerely,

Neville Grundy
Chair
PCS ARMS Merseyside

New Zealand: solidarity and condolences

Following the horrendous mass murders in New Zealand, I sent the letter below on behalf of ARMS Mersey to the New Zealand High Commissioner to the UK. I am confident all ARMS members will endorse the sentiment.

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16th March 2019 

His Excellency Sir Jerry Mateparae
New Zealand High Commissioner to the UK
80 Haymarket
London SW1Y 4TQ

Dear High Commissioner, 

I am writing to express the horror and dismay of the PCS ARMS Mersey committee and membership at the terrorist mass murders that have been committed in two mosques in Christchurch. It was with a severe sense of shock that we woke yesterday morning to the horrendous news from your peaceable country.

We stand with Muslims everywhere against Islamophobia and oppose all forms of bigotry and intolerance wherever they arise. We must all unite against the rise of far-right fanaticism and terrorism and not allow them to divide our communities.

We extend our deepest sympathies to the families and friends of the victims of these horrific shootings, and our solidarity to the people of New Zealand who reject the politics of hate that have brought such grief to their land.

Yours sincerely,

Neville Grundy
Chair
PCS ARMS Mersey