Posted on 03 27, 2009 by Jeff
From Peter Adams, based at St Mary’s and working in interfaith relations:
Many will be aware of the potential for trouble in Luton this Saturday, 28th March. The headline in the Herald & Post yesterday was: “Fascists Stealing a March: Fear of trouble in town centre as troublemakers look to exploit cancelled parade.” In brief, as you will know, the Royal Anglian homecoming march two weeks ago was met by a small but very upsetting Muslim demonstration, and provoked strong reaction from a good number in the crowd. (reported on the Transforming Luton Prayer website here .) As a result a group that wanted to support the army planned a march for this Saturday. When it became apparent that it was attracting extreme right agitators wanting to capitalise on Luton’s diversity and large Muslim population the organiser called it off. The police have made it very clear there will be no march. However the right wing web sites and social networking groups indicate people are determined to press ahead and to gather in the town centre on Saturday at around midday.
The BNP European June election campaign is focussing on the issue of Islamification. While this is not officially a BNP gathering, there will be many of their supporters there hoping it will provoke a response that will attract much more support. The Muslim community are doing all they can to keep calm, and are totally opposed to the small group of extremists in their number that have been provoking the reaction. Leaders of all the faith communities who form the Luton Council of Faiths, who had gathered for their bimonthly meeting on Thursday, pledged to stand together to oppose extremist violence of all persuasions.
Can we please pray fervently for the peace of our town this weekend and in these next weeks? I am reminded of the verse in Jeremiah 29.7: “Seek the peace and prosperity [shalom] of the city where I have [put you]. Pray to the Lord for it, for if it prospers you will prosper.” Please pray especially against fear, and for people from every community to offer neighbourly support to one another during this time.
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