Greater Manchester Faith Leaders Election Statement

This is a statement from the Greater Manchester Faith Community Leaders regarding the Local and European Parliamentary elections on Thursday 22 May 2014.

“We will vote on May 22nd. We urge all people in our communities to vote.

The elections – European and local – depend upon our involvement. Our communities' health depends upon every person within them expressing their view. If we abstain, can we complain? If we stay at home, we may be saying “Yes” to a political vision that will destroy our society.

That is why we urge all people to vote – and why we ask all candidates, in these European and local elections, to promote positive relationships between all of our communities, and reject and condemn any form of racism, xenophobia, discrimination, violence or harassment.

We call on all political parties and candidates to avoid doing anything to stir up xenophobia, cause racial or religious hatred, or any form of prejudice. These things have no place in a civilised society.

We utterly reject the politics of hate, and the demonization of one group of people or another for political gain. Equal respect should be given to all people, regardless of race, nationality, religion, gender or sexual orientation.

We are not putting our support behind any one political party.

But we affirm strongly those who promote:
• mutual respect between our communities,
• care for all who are vulnerable (including those who are a long way from home),
• responsible and sustainable use of the planet’s resources,
• and special attention for people who are economically disadvantaged.

We are opposed especially to those who align themselves with anti-Semitic, xenophobic and Islamophobic sentiments and actions, whether locally or in the European Parliament.

We believe our values are best promoted through full and enthusiastic engagement in our representative structures, both local and European. For it’s a way of showing love for our neighbour, in whom we see the image of God.

The right to vote has been hard won. Let’s cherish, protect and use it.”

Signatories

Christian
Rt Revd David Walker, Bishop of Manchester (Church of England)
Rt Revd Terence Brain, Bishop of Salford (Catholic Church of England and Wales)
Archbishop Doyé Agama, Presiding Prelate and Executive Director, Apostolic Pastoral Congress, and Senior Pastor, Christian Way of Life Churches
Rt Revd Chris Edmondson, Bishop of Bolton (Church of England)
Rt Revd Mark Davies, Bishop of Middleton (Church of England)
Revd Richard Church, Moderator, North West Province, United Reformed Church
Revd Keith Davies, Chair, Manchester and Stockport District, Methodist Church
Revd Ron Hicks, Acting Chair, Bolton & Rochdale District, Methodist Church
Major Alan Watters, Divisional Commander, Salvation Army, Greater Manchester
Revd Tim Presswood, Transitional Regional Minister, North Western Baptist Association

Muslim
Councillor Mr Mohammed Afzal Khan CBE, Chair, Manchester Council of Mosques
Mr Amer Salam, UK Islamic Mission, and al-Khizra Mosque, Cheetham Hill
Ms Assia Shah, Muslim Representative, North West Forum of Faith
Councillor Mrs Nilofar Siddiqi, Sufi Muslim Community
Mr Zahid Hussain

Jewish
Mr Frank Baigel, President, Jewish Representative Council of Greater Manchester and Region
Rabbi Jonathan Guttentag, Whitefield Hebrew Congregation
Rabbi Reuven Silverman, Manchester Reform Congregation, Jacksons Row
Mr Louis Rapaport, Chair, Hindu Jewish Association of Manchester
Mr David Arnold, Co-Chair, Council of Christians and Jews, Manchester

Hindu
Mr A. K. Sinha, Community Co-ordinator
Mr V. Gautam, Manchester Hindu Community

Sikh
Mr Jagtar Singh Ajimal, Sikh Community

Jain
Mr Suresh Mehta, Secretary, Board of Trustees, Jain Samaj Manchester