Terrorists can’t divide us, they can never win

MUSLIM faith leaders have led a peace rally in Birmingham following the Westminster attack.

More than 200 people turned out in Victoria Square, holding banners that read “Not in our name – Muslims oppose Isis”, in an event organised by Birmingham Central Mosque.

Surrounded by civic and multifaith religious leaders, Dr Waqar Azmi told the crowd: “For too long, we’ve had terrorist and extremists in all communities, in Muslim and non-Muslim, who try to define us.

“The figures of far-right extremists do not define the British values that we hold. Those people who are Daesh and Isis do not define the values that Muslims would hold. We refuse now to allow them to misrepresent us, and refuse now to allow them to define us. Because we are defined by a shared value of love thy neighbour.” Birmingham Central Mosque organised the rally

Henna Rai, founder of Women Against Radicalisation Network, said: “Like so many others, I felt compelled to come to this important event in Victoria Square.

“What happened in London was an appalling act, carried out by a pathetic individual. It was an indiscriminate attack on innocent people that sought to turn communities against one another.

“By standing together with people of all faiths and none, to reject hatred in all its forms, will we show terrorists and extremists that they can never divide us, they can never break our communities, and they can never win.”

Meanwhile, the police officer stabbed to death in the Westminster attack will be remembered permanently at the National Memorial Arboretum, Home Secretary Amber Rudd has said.

Unarmed PC Keith Palmer was guarding Parliament when Khalid Masood stormed the gates and knifed him after driving a car into several pedestrians on Westminster Bridge.

The 48-year-old husband and father will be commemorated at the UK Police Memorial at the Arboretum in Staffordshire, which provides “a lasting tribute to the sacrifices that all too many police officers have made”, Ms Rudd said.

The Home Secretary said the Charlton Athletic season ticketholder’s sacrifice has “touched the lives of millions of people in this country and around the world” as she thanked the police for their “phenomenal” bravery.