Thought for the Week

WHILE we are still shocked and appalled by the recent events in Paris, I cannot help thinking about the words from the Quran that were read out before an interfaith gathering at the Islamic Cultural Centre in Hale at the beginning of November.

“ O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other (not that ye may despise (each other)).

"Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of God is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And God has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things).”

While many may not believe that we are descended from one male and female, the idea that all peoples and tribes should know i.e. respect, and not despise, each other is surely one that should be widely disseminated and welcomed.

This message stresses that all humankind is one family and encourages us to come together with our brothers and sisters of all faiths, and is completely contrary to the ideology of hate and separation promoted by terrorists and fanatics.

They want non-Muslims to fear and turn against our peace-loving Muslim brothers and sisters so that they, the Muslims, will turn to ISIS and their equivalents and work with the terrorists; we must show them they are wrong, and that the ordinary people of all faiths stand together united in love.

by Carolyn Jones (hon sec. Altrincham Interfaith Group and member of Dunham Road Unitarian Chapel).