Statement from Greater Manchester Faith Community Leaders on Coronavirus (Covid 19)
Our communities are following the latest Government guidance on public association and good hygiene in response to the spread of Coronavirus. This guidance is updated daily on the Government website.
It is the best way in which we can demonstrate care for one another and all for whom we share responsibility.
We are working hard within our communities, and with one another, to find ways of supporting all who are in isolation.
We will work together tirelessly to ensure that no group, race, culture or faith is discriminated against or treated prejudicially - and will be vigilant in care for all our neighbours.
Some quote Covid 19 as an excuse for a rise in racist incidents. This is indefensible - and we stand with the victims.
We commend the work of all in the NHS, the emergency services and in local government at this critical time, as well as our national leaders - and assure them of our prayers and our co-operation, with one another and with them, as we face these challenging circumstances together.
This Statement is endorsed by Greater Manchester Faith Community Leaders, including:
Christian (Presidents of Greater Manchester Churches Together who live within Greater Manchester)
From the Church of England:
Rt Revd David Walker (Bishop of Manchester)
Rt Revd Mark Ashcroft (Bishop of Bolton)
Rt Revd Mark Davies (Bishop of Middleton)
Very Revd Rogers Govender (Dean of Manchester)
From the Catholic Church of England and Wales:
Bishop John Arnold (Bishop of Salford)
From the Methodist Church:
Revd Andrew Lunn (Chair, Manchester and Stockport District)
Revd Paul Martin, (Chair, Bolton and Rochdale District)
From the United Reformed Church:
Rev Brian Jolly, (Moderator of the North Western Synod of the United Reformed Church)
From the Baptist Church
Revd Tim Presswood, (Regional Minister for Church Life, North Western Baptist Association)
From the Salvation Army:
Major David Taylor (Divisional Leader, Central North)
From the Christian Way of Life Churches (a black-led Pentecostal church network)
Bishop Theophilus Akano, (Bishop, Youth Ministry)
Hindu
Dr Kaushik Chakraborty (member from World Council of Hindus; vice-chair, Altrincham Interfaith Group)
Dr S Sinha (Indian Senior citizen centre)
Ms Nidhi Sinha (Member of Hindu Community & Co-Ordinator of Sangha)
Jewish
Mr Jacky Buchsbaum (Chair of Jewish Representative Council of Greater Manchester & Region)
Mr David Arnold M.B.E., (Co-chair Council of Christians and Jews, Manchester)
Mr Jay Charara, (Co-Chair, HinduJewish Association Manchester)
Muslim
Mr Qadir Ahmad Chohan (Chair, Manchester Council of Mosques)
Mrs Nilofar Siddiqi (Sufi Muslim)
Mr Zahid Hussain (Eco-Mosque Trustee)
Mrs Assia Shah (Chaplaincy, Northern Care Alliance)
Sikh
Mr Jagtar Singh Ajimal (General Secretary, Indian Association Manchester)
Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service
Ms Yasmin Bukhari (Bridging Cultures Co-ordinator
Prevention & Protection Directorate)
Faith Network 4 Manchester
Revd Charles Kwaku-Odoi, Co-chair