As Faith leaders representing our Mosque congregations in Birmingham, we are shocked at the mounting humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza. We are dismayed at the inability of our local elected representatives to call and work for a ceasefire during the recent vote in parliament. This seems to be at odds with the sentiments of their constituents.

All humanitarian organisations in UK and worldwide have unanimously called for a ceasefire to allow lifesaving humanitarian aid to reach the most vulnerable and desperate, innocent civilians in Gaza.

The Muslim faith communities in Birmingham have been united in grief, prayer, and campaigning to highlight the plight of those caught up in this war.

The Quran explicitly prohibits the taking of innocent life (5:32).

For 75 years, Palestinians have endured illegal Israeli occupation, oppression, and apartheid. They have experienced attacks on their towns, cities, places of worship, and refugee camps, not to mention the thousands who have been killed indiscriminately.

We call for an immediate end to this cycle of violence and adherence to international law. Our elected representatives and the international community must play their part to end the illegal occupation of Palestine, the root cause of the conflict in the Middle East.

We call for renewed and sincere efforts for a lasting peace.

In Birmingham, we are assured by the West Midlands Police response for allowing the public to register their peaceful protests, in line with the freedom of speech and protest laws.

However, we are concerned by the approach of some Birmingham schools in not allowing a safe space for our young people to discuss their concerns and express their feelings, especially when this was arranged for the Ukraine war.

We also utterly condemn all acts of anti-Semitism and Islamophobia in Birmingham that are further fuelled by this international crisis. It is unacceptable that anyone should feel unsafe in their own neighbourhoods.

Birmingham Mosques and the faith leaders will continue to play our role in engaging our congregations in prayers, education, and campaigning to highlight the sanctity of life and respect in Palestine. We will continue to engage local and national elected representatives to play their part in ending this hostility and its impact on local communities.

Mosque Names:

1. Masjid Al Falaah (Aston)
2. Stechford Masjid (Stechford)
3. Makki Masjid (Handsworth)
4. Al Hijrah Masjid Small Heath
5. Solihull Central Masjid & Community Centre
6. The Abrahamic Foundation
7. Witton Islamic Centre
8. Birmingham Central Mosque
9. Masjid Attarbiya Nechells
10. Green Lane Masjid and Community Centre
11. Masjid Ēsa Ibn Maryam
12. Masjid Sulayman Bin Dawūd
13. Jami Mosque and Islamic Centre Birmingham
14. The Wisdom Cultural Islamic Centre
15. MahmudSabir (Alfurqan School) Masjid
16. Zia ul Quran Masjid Alum Rock
17. Muslim Students House Masjid & Community Centre
18. Manarat Foundation Sheldon
19. Sparkbrook Islamic Centre
20. Shahporan Islamic Jami Mosque and Community Trust
21. Birmingham Masjid and Dawah Centre, Lozells
22. Hazrat Sultan Bahu Trust
23. Alum Rock Islamic Centre Ludlow Rd
24. Birmingham Jame Masjid
25. Handsworth Jam-e Masjid and Islamic Centre
26. Paigham e Islam Masjid
27. Al-Abbas Islamic Centre
28. Al Habib Trust
29. Masjid Aysha Handsworth Wood
30. Huda Masjid & Community Centre
31. Al-Hikma Islamic Cultural Centre
32. Quba Islamic Centre
33. Amanah Masjid
34. Hamza Masjid Mosely Village
35. Darul-Jannah Stratford Rd
36. Zawia Masjid Balsall Heath