Statement in response to comments made by Imam Muhammad Abdullah Shakir.

A statement from the Leader of the Council Cllr Anthony Okereke and the Leader of the Opposition Cllr Matt Hartley in response to the comments made by Imam Muhammad Abdullah Shakir.

“The Royal Borough of Greenwich stands together with sadness and disgust to denounce, in the strongest possible terms, the recent comments made by Imam Muhammad Abdullah Shakir. We are aware that the incident has been raised with the appropriate authorities and we hope that they will launch an immediate investigation into the matter. 

“Without a doubt it is our differences and how we celebrate them that makes us the strong, united borough we are today. Every person of every faith is welcome in our borough. To say, our Jewish friends are not welcome here belies the integral contribution they have made to the community we have shared for centuries.

“Instead we say to them, you are valued. You are our neighbours and our friends. We will stand up against hate and as a community, we will refuse to let anyone make you feel unsafe or unwelcome.

“It comes as no surprise to us that members of our Muslim community have also condemned Imam Shakir’s words and we are glad to stand in solidarity with them against hatred in all its forms.

"The Royal Borough of Greenwich has and always will be strongest together. We will not stand for any attempt to threaten this and call upon everyone to remain united against hate.”