Over 130 imams and Muslim leaders have declared that they will refuse to say funeral prayers for the perpetrators of Saturday’s deadly terror attack in London.
In a joint statement released yesterday (5 June), the Muslim Council of Britain announced that Imams and religious leaders from across the country will refuse to perform the traditional Islamic prayer - a ritual normally performed for every Muslim regardless of their actions. And, in what they described as an “unprecedented move”, the leaders are calling on others to do the same.
"We will not perform the traditional Islamic funeral prayer over the perpetrators and we also urge fellow imams and religious authorities to withdraw such a privilege,” read the statement, released on social media.
“This is because such indefensible actions are completely at odds with the lofty teachings of Islam,” it continued.
Citing a section of the Quran, the statement says these terrorists are “utterly misguided” and “distant from our faith.”
“Their acts and wilful dismissal of our religious principles alienates them from any association with our community for whom the inviolability of every human life is the founding principle,” they continue.
“Such criminals defile the name of our religion and of our Prophet, who was sent to be a mercy to all creation,” they write.
In a vigil held yesterday evening in honour of those killed and injured in Saturday’s attack, the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, echoed this sentiment, saying these terrorist attacks pervert the truth of Islam.
“As a proud and patriotic British Muslim I say this: You do not commit these disgusting acts in my name. Your perverse ideology has nothing to do with the true values of Islam and you will never succeed in dividing our city,” he said.
Flanked by Home Secretary, Amber Rudd, and Shadow Home Secretary, Diane Abbott, the Mayor of London added:
“London will never be broken by terrorism.”
Khan said: “We are here in remembrance for the innocent lives lost and the people injured in the barbaric attack on our city on Saturday night.
“London stands in defiance against this cowardly attack on our city, our people, our values and our way of life. I want to send a clear message to the sick and evil extremists who committed these hideous crimes. We will defeat you. You will not win.”
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby and religious leaders of all faiths also attended the vigil, held in Potter’s Field, close to London Bridge, where terrorists began their deadly rampage on Saturday night.
Anglican Archbishop Justin Welby of Canterbury attends the vigil with Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis
Hundreds laid flowers and left tributes to those who had died
People of all faiths attended the event
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