campaigner is calling for Redbridge to come together after a string of police raids in the borough in the wake of the London Bridge terror attack.
Wilson Chowdhry, chairman of the British Pakistani Christian Association (BPCA), is urging Redbridge council to allow a “unity festival” to be staged
in the borough following the incident.
Police have stormed several properties in Ilford in recent weeks as part of an investigation into the attack in central London on June 3, which left eight
victims dead and almost 50 people injured.
Mr Chowdhry’s plan has received the backing of several faith groups in east London, including Christian, Islamic, Sikh and Hindu organisations.
The organizing panel of the ‘Unity Festival’ includes:
Upkar Rai (British Sikh Council)
Ranbir Singh (Hindu Human Rights Group)
Sajid Hussain Ambassador of Peace of PEP (peace Education Program) of Minhaj ul Quran International
Mark Glazer (London Neighbourhood Watch Trust)
Danny O’Brien (Antiknife Uk)
Rukhiya Iqbal (Peace Campaigner)
He said: “It is frightening that so many terror suspects have been arrested from within our borough, however such malice is not something that is widespread.
“The fact that these haters have been reported so close in the communities where we live and work does create a sense of fear, but we must remember that
most people do not hold these views and it is important we demonstrate that.
“In the aftermath of the incident, I have received many calls from people in the community from all faiths and they agree that something has to be done
to tackle extremism and hatred.
“Redbridge is a close-knit community but incidents like this can be a target for hatemongers, especially more dangerous people who use this kind
of thing to forward their own hate agenda.
“We want to bring people together and show that so many of us do not hold these types of polarising views.”
Community leaders come together to oppose extremism and join Wilson on the steps of Ilford Town Hall.
27-year-old man was arrested on a street in Ilford on June 5, while a 29-year-old man was arrested at a property in the area on the same day.
A 30-year-old man was arrested by counter-terrorism officers during another Ilford raid, which took place overnight on Tuesday, June 6.
Three days later, a 27-year-old man was arrested at a residential address in Ilford, also in connection with the investigation.
Mr Chowdhry is also holding a summit for Redbridge residents at Clementswood Community Centre, at 14 Connaught Road, Ilford, IG1 1RN to allow discussion of the recent terror-related police activity in the borough.
Anyone is welcome to attend the event, which will take place at 7pm on Tuesday, June 20.