A ‘Prayer for Peace’ event was held at Enfield Civic Centre this week to bring together leaders from faiths including Islam, Judaism, Christianity and Hinduism

The 'Prayer for Peace' event (credit Saray Karakus) — The ‘Prayer for Peace’ event (credit Saray Karakus)

Faith leaders from across the borough issued passionate appeals for unity and togetherness at a ‘Prayer for Peace’ event at Enfield Civic Centre this week.

On Tuesday (4^th) leaders from community groups with a wide range of religious affiliations came together in a united stand against hate and division.

The event was organised in response to recent attacks such as the one on a Manchester synagogue last month which killed two Jewish people.

As well as numerous speeches the civic centre event also saw efforts to relaunch Enfield’s multi-faith forum.

Enfield mayor Margaret Greer opened the event before inviting council leader Ergin Erbil to speak. Cllr Erbil said: “The mayor has spearheaded this campaign, following the vile attack in Manchester on a synagogue and an attack on a mosque in Sussex.

“We have visited as many faith places as possible to say that we will not stand for hate and we will stand united as a borough [and show] we are stronger as a borough because of our diversity.”

He continued: “We have to continue to get that message across to all of our communities, that we will not stand for hate.”

Cllr Erbil also talked about trying to steer young people away from “hateful ideologies” and “dark paths” but that the council couldn’t do it alone and needed help from volunteers and community leaders. “We need you to work with us,” he added.

Faith leaders from religions spanning Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, Alevism and various Christian denominations, as well as a Humanist and other non-religious community leaders, all addressed the meeting.

Reverend Ruth Dewis, the minister of three United Reformed Churches in Enfield, said: “People of faith work alongside each other really well. When people come together in peace, we realise we have a lot more in common than we think.

“Our differences melt away and our common interests become the focus […] we all need to feel connected and part of something bigger.”

Rabbi Mendel Hurwitz, from United Synagogue in Bush Hill Park, warned: “If people only stick within their own groups, they go down the rabbit hole.”

Imam Adam Kantar, from Rumi Mosque in Edmonton Green, said: “We need not to fear one another, not to divide one another, but to recognise our shared values. London is a living example of that vision – we worship in different ways [but] united in harmony.”

Archbishop Costakis Evangelou, known as the ‘boxing bishop’ thanks to his role running Edmonton Eagles Boxing Club, said: “It [the boxing club] is a hub where everyone is welcome, no matter your background. There is no discrimination or anything negative.

“Young people often get a negative press, but we want to change that and show them what they can achieve and to be the best version of themselves.”

Pastor Nick Chanda, of Revival Church in Enfield Town, said: “Ignorance is what divides us – when we have knowledge of what is going on, with each faith group, that is when there is unity, and that gives us power.”

Vanessa, a Humanist, added: “We want to be part of the things you do in the borough to build peace. I hope you continue to include that wide ring of people.”

Faith group leaders at Enfield Civic Centre with council leader Ergin Erbil and mayor Margaret Greer

Following the contributions from faith leaders, Jonathan Toy, Enfield Council’s head of community safety, gave an impassioned speech and criticised the recent use of the St George’s flag, by parts of the far right, to sow division. He said: “Our strength is our difference […] that flag has been appropriated by the far right to create wedges and intolerance.

“It is a sign of hate and we have to challenge it. When points of division show in our community we have to come together and call it out.”

Inspector Andrew Cover, a safer neighbourhoods team leader with the Metropolitan Police in Enfield, also spoke at the meeting. He said: “We are trying to build trust and confidence in the community. As your safer neighbourhood team we have to provide reassurance to communities, through ward panels, police surgeries and visits as well. As an organisation we are keen to build that trust and confidence in the community.”

A reformed multi-faith forum and resilience group will start to meet regularly in Enfield in the new year, Cllr Greer confirmed. “Let’s move forward in peace and partnership together,” she said.

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