Attack on Peacehaven Mosque on Saturday 4th October, 2025
As Christian leaders in Luton we join with our colleagues and friends of all faiths in Luton in condemning the attack this weekend on the mosque in Peacehaven, Sussex. We endorse totally the attached statement by Luton Council of Faiths.
Importantly we join with our colleagues at this time in committing ourselves to stand against all violence, prejudice and extremism however it is expressed. We cannot allow the conflict of recent days to escalate further.
Luton Council of Faith letter
In these difficult times, with ongoing tensions across the UK and a disturbing rise in hate crime and racism, Luton Council of Faiths is shocked and deeply saddened by the deliberate arson attack on Peacehaven Mosque in East Sussex. This appalling act, being investigated as a hate crime, is another reminder of the urgent need to stand against violence, prejudice, and extremism in all its forms.
We unequivocally condemn this horrific attack and extend our heartfelt sympathy, solidarity, and support to the Muslim community of Peacehaven and to Muslims across the United Kingdom. Any attack on a place of worship is an attack on us all and undermines the values of peace, dignity, and respect that bind our diverse communities together.
Hatred targeting any community because of its faith or belief is a scourge that must never be tolerated. The rise in Islamophobia and wider racist violence should concern us all, and calls on every one of us to redouble our efforts to challenge ignorance, prejudice, and division.
It is also vital to remember that crimes committed by individuals are the responsibility of those individuals alone. They must be dealt with firmly through the law and must never be used as a pretext to blame or stigmatise whole communities. Collective punishment or suspicion has no place in a just society. Fairness is at the core of British values, alongside justice, respect, tolerance, and the rule of law, and these principles must guide us all in times of trial.
Leaders from all traditions in our town, stand firmly together and will continue to safeguard our places of worship, strengthen unity, and ensure that Luton remains a town where all faiths and communities can live in peace, dignity, and mutual respect.
Only last week, our Peace Walk brought people of all faiths and none together to demonstrate unity, solidarity, and shared commitment to peace. That walk symbolises the spirit of Luton a community that stands shoulder to shoulder in the face of hate and refuses to be divided. The importance of such efforts is clearer now than ever.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the leadership of Peacehaven Mosque, the Muslim community in the region, and all those distressed by this incident.
