Mitzvah Day stands in deep sorrow and solidarity with the victims, their families, and the entire Southport community following the recent tragic events. The horrifying attack on innocent children and the subsequent riots have left us all shaken. We mourn the loss of young lives, including Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, and we pray for the recovery of those injured. This senseless violence has no place in our society.
We are deeply troubled by the violent unrest that followed, particularly the targeted attacks on the Muslim community and local mosques. Mitzvah Day condemns these actions unequivocally. Hatred and division have no place in our society. Our values teach us to respond to violence and hatred with compassion, unity, and understanding. We urge all community members to stand together, support one another, and reject any attempts to sow discord and intolerance.
The spread of misinformation and the rise in anti-Muslim sentiment following these events are deeply concerning. We call on all individuals, especially those with influence, to act responsibly and refrain from spreading false narratives that only serve to fuel further hatred and division. We commend the Liverpool Region Mosque Network for their stance against this misattribution of blame and for promoting unity during such a challenging time.
In these dark times, we must hold onto hope and work towards healing. Mitzvah Day reaffirms our commitment to fostering peace, understanding, and solidarity among all communities. As we strive to build a stronger, more inclusive society through our 2024 theme, “Stronger Together,” we are reminded of the importance of unity in the face of adversity. We encourage everyone to come together, support those affected, and work towards a future where all individuals, regardless of their background or faith, can live in safety and harmony. Let us honour the memory of those we have lost by building a more inclusive and compassionate society.