Statements

Tower Hamlets commits to East End unity demonstration against racism and bigotry - 20.06.10

Demonstration against racism and bigotry on Sunday 20th June
Stepney Green Park, Stepney Way (Google map)
Music, entertainment, speeches from 12.30pm. March scheduled to leave at 1.30pm and processing to Altab Ali Park in Whitechapel.

Over 800 people attended a rally held at the London Muslim Centre in Whitechapel on Sunday evening (13 June). Representatives from many faiths, trade unions, youth groups and local politicians came together to give a clear message that there is no place for racism, intolerance and bigotry in the East End of London.

The meeting was jointly organised by United East End and Unite Against Fascism, and supported by The East London Community Organisations (TELCO), in response to the threat of the English Defence League coming to Tower Hamlets on Sunday 20 June. There was unanimous agreement that a big, peaceful demonstration of unity should be held on the same day to make it clear to the EDL that their message of hate is not welcome.

The meeting was opened by Dr Muhammad Abdul Bari, secretary general of the Muslim Council of Britain who welcomed the wide range of people in the audience, young and old, of all faiths and none. The Reverend Alan Green, chair of the Tower Hamlets Inter Faith Forum and Church of England area dean, spoke of his pride at the capacity of the people of Tower Hamlets to come together.

Representatives from the Roman Catholic Church, the Salvation Army, the Tower Hamlets Council of Mosques, the Vivekenanda Human Centre (Hindu), the Baha'i Community, the Sikhs of Great Britain, the Friends of the Western Buddhist Order and the Nelson Street Synagogue all pledged support for the demonstration of unity on 20 June. Leon Silver, from the synagogue, told the rally that he was as opposed to Islamaphobia as he is to antisemitism.

Representatives from local youth groups said that they would be putting aside their differences to unite against theEDL. Alex Kenny, secretary of the East London Teachers Association, said that teachers would be attending the demonstration and standing shoulder to shoulder with their pupils. Steve Hart, regional organiser for the UNITE trade union spoke of following in the footsteps of his father, who was at Cable Street opposing Oswald Mosley's fascistblackshirts in 1936.

Politicians from all political parties were invited to attend the rally. Former London mayor Ken Livingstone sent a message of support saying that the event on 20 June would be "a fantastic celebration of the diversity of Tower Hamlets and send a message of strength and unity against fascism and racism".

Peter Hain MP also sent a message saying that he would be attending the unity demonstration. Rob Hoveman brought thesupport of the Respect Party and its leader, Salma Yaqoob. John Biggs, the London Assembly member for City & East and one of the first local politicians to support plans to oppose the EDL, called on people to put their political differences aside to unite against racism and for the kind of East End we are all proud to live in.

The meeting closed with a rousing pledge of support to build the unity demonstration - and to make it the biggest and most diverse that Tower Hamlets has seen for years.

Faith communities are very welcome to join the demonstration - it is vital we show our solidarity, and our opposition to those who seek to fragment our community. Please bring as many people as possible and make yourselves very distinct, by dressing and bringing symbols of your faith. The demonstration will be well organised and stewarded - so there is no need to fear for anyone's safety at the community event.

Information for faith communities regarding Flu Pandemic Planning - Updated 24.08.09

(02.09.09) Muslims making the Hajj this year
Some travel agents are asking pilgrims to produce Certificates of Freedom from Swine Flu prior to booking tickets or travelling. NHS Tower Hamlets has made clear that the Saudi Ministry of Hajj do not require this certification.

(24.08.09) Infection rates are very much down now, but the procedure remains the same if you think you have flu symptoms: ring your GP to explain your symptoms. Many people contracting swine flu will simply need to stay at home and recover, as with any flu outbreak. The GP will decide if medication is necessary and, if that is the case, issue a prescription.
From Monday 13 July the antiviral collection hours will be 10.00 am to 5.00 pm seven days a week at Mile End Hospital, Bancroft Road (Google map).
Prescriptions should be collected from the surgery by a “flu friend” - that is, by someone other than the person with flu!

Getting prepared - download this flyer to add your useful numbers.

Flu friends and patients need to bring their personal identification to the anti viral collection point, you will also need to take the original prescription - not a copy.

If someone thinks they have symptoms but does not have a GP they can ring the Borough’s Health Hotline – 020 7364 5016 – to be referred to one.
The prescription should be taken – by the “flu-friend” - to the flu anti-viral centre at Mile End Hospital, in Bancroft Road, between 8am and 8pm each day (the centre is less busy in the mornings at present!).
The “flu-friend” can also assist in doing the shopping, etc, to prevent the affected person from spreading the flu further.
The advice has not changed for faith communities. We should observe basic hygiene rigourously – washing hands with soap and water, keeping hard surfaces clean and persuading those with flu symptoms to stay at home. No extra precautions are necessary and we are not asked to curtail any of our activities. Schools are not required to close if they have a case of flu, but only if there are operational considerations – such as too many staff off at any one time.

Past postings - Information for faith communities regarding Swine Flu Pandemic Planning

Go to resourses for the latest information (6.07.09)

(Statement from 30.06.09) There are now 26 confirmed cases in Tower Hamlets, including cases in several local schools.
The guidance has changed in several respects due to the spread of flu and a recognition that containment is not sufficient to deal with it: from yesterday absolute confirmation through medical swab tests has now been withdrawn, so there may be more cases that have been treated but not added to the confirmed list; the guidance to schools now suggests that closure is not necessary if a case is discovered – Heads are to make a decision on local issues – most particularly if there are operating issues because of staff sickness.

To date all cases are mild and similar to any other flu outbreak.
The guidance for dealing with symptoms and treatment of flu remain the same: call your GP if you think you have symptoms; if it is diagnosed stay at home until the flu has gone (adults will be contagious for about seven days, children somewhat longer); send a “flu friend” for medicine and shopping. If someone thinks they have symptoms but does not have a GP they can ring the Borough’s Health Hotline – 020 7364 5016 – to be referred to one.

At the present time once a GP has issued a prescription the antivirals can be obtained from the Walk-In Centre at the London Hospital. From next Monday Mile End Hospital will be an alternative source. Other centres may come on-stream if there is a serious escalation in the outbreak.
Apart from the guidance to stay at home if ill, and to observe responsible hygiene there is no requirement to curtail public activities at this time.
Please do encourage congregation members to be “flu-friends” by watching out for one another and their local neighbours.
Go to Statements for previous posts.

(Statement from 2.06.09) There are now two confirmed cases of swine flu in Tower Hamlets. One is a woman who has recently returned from the USA. The other is her partner. Their two flatmates are being tested but, at present, have no symptoms.
One of the two infected is a student at Queen Mary College but has not attended for several weeks, so the Health Protection Agency has stated that an outbreak at the College as a result is very unlikely.
There is a possibility that infections may increase in the next week as people return from half-term holidays and schools re-open. In addition to the practical information I circulated a couple of weeks ago you may wish to pass on this essential piece of good practice: If you feel that you might have flu symptoms do not go to your GP, Walk-In Centre or A&E, but ring your GP from home.
This is vital to avoid the spread of infection. People who have symptoms but are not registered with a doctor (this includes visitors to the area) can ring the Borough’s Health Hotline – 020 7364 5016 – to be put in contact with a GP who will visit. Since many visitors to the area attend faith buildings whilst here a poster is being produced with this information in the very near future.

There is a very positive understanding of the roles faith communities can play, download the full briefing.

A shared vision

The diversity of faiths in Tower Hamlets reflects the diversity of the borough itself. Together, they symbolise the vibrant eclecticism that defines this part of London. What's more, the energy, commitment and respect they generate makes our faiths a precious and powerful community asset.
The Tower Hamlets Inter-Faith Forum has been established to nurture and focus their combined strengths to ensure they continue to give everyone living and working in our borough an enhanced quality of life.
By drawing together all the faith organisations in Tower Hamlets, the forum intends to:

• Celebrate the important contribution that religious faith makes to the lives of local communities
• Foster greater understanding and respect between our communities
• Secure a more prominent role for faith organisations in regenerating their communities and delivering the borough's community plan
• Provide a forum for sharing knowledge, resources and good practice
• Speak with in harmony when faith organisations address important public issues
• Break down prejudice and discrimination based on faith

To help make this happen we have made the Tower Hamlets Inter Faith Forum (or THIFF).  This is a group of people who are leaders and members of different faiths.  They come together to talk and do these things:

• Celebrate what is important about faith to us all.
• Make sure they can help people understand and respect people from different faiths.
• Make sure faith has a part in making Tower Hamlets a safer and better place for us all.
• Share knowledge and information.
• Break down prejudice! Some people are bullied and hurt by other people because they have a different faith - the group want this to stop happening.

The Inter Faith Forum made this website because faith is so important to us all in Tower Hamlets.  The website is to help us all understand more about each other’s faith.

Statement on fire at the Gurdwara, Harley Grove, Bow E3

We are deeply saddened to hear of yesterday’s fire (16.03.09) at the Gurdwara in Harley Grove, Bow. This magnificent building, currently a Sikh temple, has been used as a place of worship by many groups over the years and it is terrible to see it damaged in this way.
The origins of the fire are currently being investigated, however the Police are keeping an open mind to the cause.
Should arson prove to be the cause of the fire, we must be vigilant and stand united in ensuring that any such criminal action does not undermine the extremely positive relationships we have in place within our borough.
It is heartening to hear of the support provided by local people to representatives of the Gurdwara in the immediate aftermath of the fire, when they opened their homes to provide comfort to those affected.
This kind of support reflects the commitment that the Tower Hamlets Interfaith Forum, Council, Police and local people have to continuing to bring local communities closer together under the banner of One Tower Hamlets.
It is vital that this incident does not undermine the mutual support and wider community cohesion evident in our vibrant borough.

We have held meetings with the local community and key partners to ensure a co-ordinated and timely response. We recognise that this fire will be very traumatic for local people and particularly for the Sikh community.

Support will be provided to the Management Committee of the Gurdwara to find an alternative place of worship to try to minimise thedisruption this terrible event has caused.

Councillor Lutfur Rahman, Leader of the Council
Paul Rickett, Chief Superintendent, Tower Hamlets Police
Reverend Alan Green, Chair of the Inter Faith Forum
Butta Singh, Management Committee Member, Gurdwara Sikh Sangat

Statement on the community cohession

Tower Hamlets Interfaith Forum and its partners, the Council and the Police, are committed to supporting the development of One Tower Hamlets; reducing the inequalities that exist in the borough and bringing local communities closer together.

We are aware that the tragic situation in the Middle East and the devastating human consequences gives rise to strong feelings.

We are, however, proud of the history of positive relationships between the diverse communities in our borough, which have in the past helped us remain resilient and unified in difficult times.

The unacceptable actions of a minority of individuals who seek to divide our community here do not in any way undermine the commitment of faith communities to continue to work with partners and local people to ensure that Tower Hamlets is no place for hate.
Alan Green (Chair of Interfaith Forum)
Dilowar Khan (London Muslim Centre)
Musaddiq Ahmed (Secretary General of the Council of Mosques)
Nathaniel Roos (Life-long Vice President of Fieldgate Street Synagogue)
Councillor Lutfur Rahman (Leader of the Council)
Paul Rickett (Police Chief Superintendent).