Muslim Council of Britain Responds to London Bridge Attack

Muslim Council of Britain Responds to London Bridge Attack

Billy Graham Rapid Response team chaplains are on the scene

By Michael Ireland, Chief Correspondent for the ASSIST News Service (www.assistnews.net)

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM (ANS, June 4, 2017) -- A Muslim group in the United Kingdom has responded to the June 3 terror attacks in London.

Harun Khan, Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain issued the following statement after the terrorist incident in London: “I am appalled and angered by the terrorist attacks at London Bridge and Borough Market, in my home city. These acts of violence were truly shocking and I condemn them in the strongest terms.

“Muslims everywhere are outraged and disgusted at these cowards who once again have destroyed the lives of our fellow Britons. That this should happen in this month of Ramadan, when many Muslims were praying and fasting only goes to show that these people respect neither life nor faith.

“My prayers are with the victims and all those affected. I commend the work of our emergency services working hard to keep us safe and cope with the ensuing carnage. As ever we urge everyone to assist the authorities so that these criminals can be apprehended and brought to justice.”

Meanwhile, Billy Graham Rapid Response Team chaplains are on the scene in London following terror attack.

The crisis-trained chaplains are responding to London, England, following last night’s terror attack at multiple sites around the city just days after the bombing attack in Manchester jarred the country.

The Billy Graham Rapid Response Team immediately began to monitor and plan for a response following news of attacks at London Bridge and Borough Market. Crisis-trained chaplains from the United Kingdom arrived Sunday to assess how best to offer emotional and spiritual care to those affected. Additional chaplains from Canada and the United States are on standby for additional support.

“Our chaplains are arriving on the scene now to come alongside the community as it deals with this tragedy,” said John Galvin, assistant director of the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team and Specialized Ministries. “Attacks like this stir up all kinds of emotions. Sadness, grief, fear—even anger. People can pray for all those injured in the attack, the loved ones of those killed and the first responders who have to deal with the aftermath.”

Franklin Graham, president and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, used his Facebook page to ask for prayer following the attack. “Stabbings, shootings, and death by vehicle—tragic and unnecessary loss of life. Be in prayer for the victims and the family members of those killed. Also pray for emergency responders and the law-enforcement involved.”

This marks the eighth terror-related deployment to Europe in recent years. The Billy Graham Rapid Response Team previously dispatched chaplains to Paris, France (2015); Brussels, Belgium; Nice, France; Munich and Berlin, Germany (2016); and London and Manchester, England (2017).

The Billy Graham Rapid Response Team was developed by Franklin Graham and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association following the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. It has since grown into a nationwide network of chaplains in 48 states who are specifically trained to deal with crisis situations. They have deployed to approximately 250 disaster sites, including shootings, floods, hurricanes, wildfires and tornadoes.

For more information on the ministry, including videos, photos, news articles and an interactive map of former and current deployments, visit www.billygraham.org/rrt. Updates can also be found at www.facebook.com/RRTChaplains.

Media Contact: Lisa Moseley, (704) 401-2116, lmoseley@bgea.org

Photo captions: 1) Billy Graham Rapid Response Team chaplains were also deployed in Manchester (BGEA) 2) A woman leaves flowers at the attack scene. (BGEA) 3) Michael Ireland.

About the Writer: Michael Ireland is a volunteer internet journalist serving as Chief Correspondent for the ASSIST News Service, as well as an Ordained Minister who has served with ASSIST Ministries and written for ANS since its beginning in 1989. He has reported for ANS from Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Israel, Jordan, China, and Russia. Please consider helping Michael cover his expenses in bringing news of the Persecuted Church, by logging-on to: https://actintl.givingfuel.com/ireland-michael

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