Joint declaration against hate speech to be signed by Faith and Community leaders

Leaders of Jewish Muslim and Christian faith community groups are committing to challenge hate speech with the signing of a joint declaration.

The signing of the declaration is to take place on Sunday 25 January and will “call on all leaders to join us in condemning unequivocally antisemitic, anti-Muslim and xenophobic speech and actions.

“We will work together to challenge expressions of hostility and incitement within our own communities.”

It has been organised by the Mayor of Camden and his charity of the year, 3FF (the Three Faiths Forum), alongside a number of faith and interfaith groups, including the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, JW3 and the UK Jewish Film, in addition to the Islamic Society of Britain, Rumi’s Cave, Radical Middle Way and Faith Matters.

3FF Director Stephen Shashoua told the Jewish News that “After the tragedy in Paris, affirming our commitment to stand together against all forms of hatred takes on a new level of urgency.”

“Extremism needs mistrust and divisions to flourish. Now is the time to strengthen relations between communities, and with one voice speak out against the hatemongers who seek to divide us through violence and fear. We must stay united.”

Two special screenings of a film Besa: The Promise, are also to be shown to commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day.

This film tells the story of Albanian Muslims who risked their lives sheltering Jews during the Holocaust.