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United Kingdom

Manchester stands strong in the face of mindless violence

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By Euronews
Manchester stands strong in the face of mindless violence

Thousands attended a vigil in central Manchester on Tuesday night, in a sign of solidarity with victims of the deadly terror attack in the northern English city.

We will stand together in spite of oppression, terrorism

Muhammad Khursheed Manchester Imam

Representatives of different religions joined national and local political figures and ordinary citizens in a sombre but defiant atmosphere.

Members of the city’s Muslim, Christian, Jewish and Sikh communities said they wanted to show that Manchester, while shocked, would not be cowed.

“It was incredibly emotional … for us especially as Muslim citizens,” said Muhammad Khursheed, an imam of a mosque in the Manchester suburb of Hulme. “We will stand together in spite of oppression, terrorism. A strong, powerful message today.”



“The people of Manchester will remember the victims forever and we will defy the terrorists by all our diverse communities working together cohesively and with mutual respect,” the Lord Mayor of Manchester, Councillor Eddy Newman, told the crowd.

Vigils were held across Britain and, at a garden party at Buckingham Palace, the Queen and Prince Philip joined guests in observing a minute’s silence.



Prime Minister Theresa May expressed her grief, signing a book of condolence for victims in Manchester where she visited police headquarters and a children’s hospital.



Concert goer Shauna Hardy says she feels lucky to be alive.

“I just remember the smell. I can’t describe it. It was a really awful smell,” she said.

“And there was just alarms going off, police everywhere. Sirens everywhere. People running, screaming. It was just crazy. Absolutely crazy.”

Eager to help victims in a practical sense, locals lined up to give blood.

“I heard the news this morning when I woke up,” said volunteer Rosie Bentley.

“I have lived in Manchester for just over a year and…my heart breaks for the people and I just thought – what can I do? And I just listened to the radio and they said that people are calling for blood and I have got a blood type that they are asking for so I just got straight down here.”

Manchester is traumatised – its people remembering those they have lost but standing resilient and ready to face the future.



with Reuters