Issued: Friday 20 March 2020 Faith Community Leaders

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 are 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.

Endorsed by Greater Manchester Faith Community Leaders, including:

Christian (Presidents of Greater Manchester Churches Hindu Together who live within Greater Manchester) Dr Kaushik Chakraborty (member from World Council of From the : Hindus; vice-chair, Altrincham Interfaith Group) Rt Revd David Walker () Dr S Sinha (Indian Senior citizen centre) Rt Revd () Ms Nidhi Sinha (Member of Hindu Community & Rt Revd Mark Davies () Co-Ordinator of Sangha) Very Revd () Jewish From the Catholic Church of England and Wales: Mr Jacky Buchsbaum (Chair of Jewish Representative Bishop John Arnold (Bishop of Salford) Council of Greater Manchester & Region) Mr David Arnold M.B.E., (Co-chair Council of Christians and From the Methodist Church: Jews, Manchester) Revd Andrew Lunn (Chair, Manchester and Stockport Mr Jay Charara, (CoChair, HinduJewish Association District) Manchester) Revd Paul Martin, (Chair, Bolton and Rochdale District) Muslim From the United Reformed Church: Mr Qadir Ahmad Chohan (Chair, Manchester Council of Rev Brian Jolly, (Moderator of the North Western Synod Mosques) of the United Reformed Church) Mrs Nilofar Siddiqi (Sufi Muslim) Mr Zahid Hussain (Eco-Mosque Trustee) From the Baptist Church Mrs Assia Shah (Chaplaincy, Northern Care Alliance) Revd Tim Presswood, (Regional Minister for Church Life, North Western Baptist Association)

From the Salvation Army: Sikh Major David Taylor (Divisional Leader, Central North) Mr. Jagtar Singh Ajimal (General Secretary, Indian Association Manchester) From the Christian Way of Life Churches (a black-led Pentecostal church network) Faith Network 4 Manchester Bishop Theophilus Akano, (Bishop, Youth Ministry) Revd Charles Kwaku-Odoi, Co-chair

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service For more information, contact the Ms Yasmin Bukhari (Bridging Cultures Co-ordinator Secretary, Steve Williams, on Prevention & Protection Directorate)

[email protected] or 07757 411 377