Sheffield peace march to honour victims of Paris attacks

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A peace march is to take place through Sheffield in response to the Paris terror attacks which killed 130 people.The Peace and Unity Walk will take place in the city centre on Wednesday afternoon after being arranged by religious leaders in the city.The march will also reflect on other recent terrorist attacks in places such as Baghdad and Beirut.

It will start from Sheffield Town Hall at 4.15pm, stopping at points including Tudor Square and outside the O2 Academy, finishing at Barker’s Pool at 4.45pm.A spokesman said: “The stops in the walk are to reflect the ordinary activities – such as going out with friends, shopping, music and eating out – things we all take for granted but that people across the world had shattered due to the recent attacks.

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“Therefore the walk is to honour those who whilst doing such simple things lost their lives.”It comes as representatives of faith groups in the city issued a joint statement condemning the recent attacks.Among the signatories to the statement are Bishop of Sheffield Steven Croft, Qari Mohammad Ismail from the Sheffield Federation of Mosques and Andrew Crowley, chair of Sheffield Interfaith Network.

They said: “We urge those in power to search for a political response to the recent atrocities and to look to a future, beyond the current fearful one, marked by international equality, liberty and fraternity.“And we recognise the need for continued vigilance in combating all that would divide our communities both here in Sheffield and throughout the world.“Such attacks as we have recently witnessed seek to spread mistrust amongst people, communities and nations.

“Therefore, we stand in defiance and assert that our unity with each other and for each other is stronger than hatred.”It comes as members of the Sheffield Ahmadiyya Muslim Community held a minute’s silence for the victims of the Paris attacks on Friday, one week after ISIS members carried out a series of terrorist atrocities around the city.

Saeed Nazir general secretary of the Sheffield Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, said last week: “We are with the people of France in sharing their pain.“This was an outrageous attack on the peaceful innocent members of the public and they are in our thoughts and prayers.”

http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/local/sheffield-peace-march-to-honour-victims-of-paris-attacks-1-7583395