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Muslim, Christian and Jewish leaders condemn attacks
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has spoken of his horror and grief following the explosions in London this morning.
Dr Williams, who is on an inter-faith visit to West Yorkshire, said: "The appalling events in London this morning have shocked us all. So I want first and foremost to extend my personal sympathy and condolences to everyone who is suffering and grieving at this time.
"All those caught up in this tragedy – and that includes of course the emergency services whose selfless dedication and commitment is so vital at times like this – all are in my own prayers and in the prayers of a great many people.
"As it happens I have spent this morning with Muslim colleagues and friends in West Yorkshire, and we were all as one in our condemnation of this evil and in our shared sense of care and compassion for those affected in whatever way.
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"Such solidarity and common purpose is vital for us all at this time of pain and sorrow and anger.
"We in the faith communities will have to continue to stand and work together for the well being of our nation and for our shared understanding of the life that God calls us to. I hope that we shall all keep that vision alive at this deeply sad and testing time."
Muslims in the UK also joined in condemning the attacks.
Sir Iqbal Sacranie, Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Britain, said: "The evil people who planned and carried out these series of explosions in
The British Muslim Forum said: "Our hearts go out to all those who have been affected and we express our sympathy to their families and friends.
"This is clearly a day of great disappointment coming after a day of great joy as our city of London only yesterday won the bid for hosting the Olympics 2012.
"We wholeheartedly support, congratulate and appreciate the efforts of the authorities that are currently dealing with the situation."
Ahmed Versi, editor of The Muslim News, said: "We unequivocally condemn these terrorist attacks. We express our deep condolences to the families, relatives and friends of the victims."
Leaders of all religious groups are concerned that the attacks should not damage interfaith relations.
Clergy throughout the capital opened their services for shelter, aid and prayer today as churches of all denominations responded rapidly to the crisis.
Ministers and priests went on to the streets to work alongside the emergency services, helping to comfort traumatised commuters.
St Paul’s Cathedral was closed to tourists but remains open to all who wish to pray. A special service of Evening Prayer will be said at 4pm today.
The Bishop of London, the Right Rev Richard Chartres, said: "This is a grave day for London. Our thoughts and prayers are with the injured and bereaved and also with the emergency services who have responded so rapidly."
The Roman Catholic Archbishop of Birmingham, the Most Rev Vincent Nichols, formerly a bishop in London, expressed his "revulsion".
He said: "My heart goes out to everyone caught up in these outrageous attacks in London today.
"I offer my prayers for all those who have been killed and my condolences to their families and friends.
"I also pray for all those who have been the injured.
"For many years, a Bishop in North London, I too travelled every day on these tubes and share the deep sense of shock and revulsion of what has happened. May God give strength, determination and consolation, to all of us at this time."
The Chief Rabbi Sir Jonathan Sacks said: "These terrible events have brought home to us the full evil that terror represents. It is not the weapon of the weak against the strong but the rage of the angry against the defenceless and innocent. It is an evil means to an evil end.
"I will be asking all our congregations to say special prayers for the victims and their families this Sabbath. We grieve for the dead, pray for the injured and share our tears with the bereaved."
Dr David Cornick, General Secretary of the United Reformed Church, which has its headquarters in Tavistock Place near where the Russell Square attacks took place, said: "On a day when joy was transformed into horror, Christians cannot help but be reminded of the urgency of God’s call to work for peace and reconciliation.
"Our prayers are first of all with those who have suffered as a result of this atrocity, with those who care for them and those who seek to bring the perpetrators to justice.
"But in the days to come, alongside our prayers must go the determination on the part of Christians to ensure that we do not allow extremists to create divisions between the communities which make up our nation."
The Bishop of Southwark, Dr Tom Butler, said: "It is with profound regret that I have heard the news of today's explosions in central London. The news of the deaths and casualties is a cause of great concern and my prayers go out to the families of all those caught in the devastation. The scenes that are being broadcast are a clear image of the pain and shock of those caught up in the events. I join others in utterly condemning those who commit acts of terrorism under any circumstances."
The Rev David Deeks, General Secretary of the Methodist Church, said: "We add our voices to those expressing horror, outrage and concern at the attacks on London this morning. We hope that nobody will use these attacks as an excuse to attack others, but we would also want those who carried out these attacks to see for themselves the pain and destruction they have caused. We pray for all those affected, and for those who are working tirelessly to rescue, aid and support them."
The Hindu Forum of Britain appealed to faith communities not to allow themselves to be divided.
Ramesh Kallidai, secretary general, said: "It was encouraging to hear the Prime Minister saying that we will stand united in our resolve to ensure that terrorism will never win.
"One of the most shameful fallouts of terrorism is that it aims to divide communities by creating fear and suspicion.
"Britain is a good example of a multicultural society where all faith communities have been living together peacefully. It is now more important than ever to ensure that we do not succumb to terrorism by allowing ourselves to be divided. All faith communities in the UK should make an even stronger resolve to work together in our fight against all forms of terror."
Church of England dioceses around the country began planning prayer vigils and services in sympathy with London.
The Bishop of Lichfield, the Right Rev Jonathan Gledhill, will attend evensong at Lichfield Cathedral at 5.30pm this evening, where special prayers will be said for the emergency services and those affected by the explosions.
In addition, prayer vigils will be held in churches across the Lichfield diocese.
Ministers and priests went on to the streets to work alongside the emergency services, helping to comfort traumatised commuters. At Friends House, opposite Euston Station, Quakers set up an emergency unit for the hundreds of people blocked in the middle of the explosions at Kings Cross, Woburn Place and Russell Square.
The Quakers offered free tea, coffee and telephone calls to all the people affected by the blasts as well as emotional support. Many of the hundreds of people stuck in Euston were witness to the explosions, with one young woman describing how she saw the bus explode and thought it was another 9/11.
She has become partially deaf and is resting in the Quaker First Aid room.
The hundreds of people who are in Friends House remain stuck there for the foreseeable future and many are unsure how they will return home tonight.