All beliefs are welcome in London – we cannot allow extremists to divide us Sadiq Khan

FFor the first time in three years, hate crimes are on the rise in England and Wales. the Latest statistics The Ministry of Interior’s release, which shows religiously motivated crimes at a record level, is deeply concerning. But for those who have witnessed some horrific scenes on the streets of our city in recent months, it will come as no surprise.

Over the past two years, Jewish people have faced a rising tide of anti-Semitism, and the heinous Manchester Yom Kippur terrorist attack was a terrible reminder of just how widespread this toxic form of hatred is. Between January and June, the Community Security Fund reported more than 1,500 anti-Semitic incidents. A study by the Institute for Jewish Policy Research found that 35% of Jews feel unsafe in the UK.

The terrifying increase in anti-Muslim hatred has made many British Muslims feel the same way. Two days after the horrific events at Heaton Park Synagogue, a mosque in Peacehaven was set on fire. This fire is suspected to have been arson with intent to endanger life, and was the latest in a long series of violent attacks on Islamic places of worship. In July, a man was sentenced after he filmed himself releasing wild mice next to a mosque in Sheffield. In the same week, another pleaded guilty to terrorist offenses after planning to burn down a mosque in Greenock.

The idea that attacks against our Jewish and Muslim communities are isolated incidents is ignorant at best. At worst, this thinking is extremely dangerous. The violence we have witnessed is a result of the rapidly deepening divisions in our society, which, if left to fester and grow, could tear apart our way of life.

For Londoners, this is very sad. Our diverse city should always be a place where people of all faiths can live side by side knowing that they are not only safe to be themselves – but celebrated for it. But today, extremists try to exploit our fears to divide us for their own gain, and their ideas are allowed to influence mainstream political discussion.

As a city and as a community, we must put an end to this. The London I know is not a city where people feel afraid to go to synagogue or mosque, or afraid to wear a hijab or skullcap in public. My London – the London I will continue to defend – is a city where Muslim, Jewish and Christian leaders come together to celebrate breaking the fast, and people who return home after Friday prayers wish their neighbors Shalom Shabbat. A place where we come together to condemn violence against places of worship, knowing that any attack on the religious freedom of our neighbors is also an attack on us.

The London I love is the one I saw on a cloudy morning last November. Across the capital, thousands of people gathered to visit care homes, clean parks and cook for those in need. Jews, Muslims, Christians, Hindus, Buddhists and Sikhs were all taking part in Mitzvah Day: the largest day of faith-led social action in the UK.

Founded by Laura Marks, a Jew from London, Mitzvah Day has become a staple of the life of many communities in the capital. City Hall is no different. While preparing for the day by packing boxes full of fresh vegetables for vulnerable Londoners with my colleagues, I found myself thinking about the reasons we were there.

Mitzvah Day is grounded in Jewish tradition, and asks us to do good deeds – or mitzvot – for our community. For Muslims like me, this sounds very familiar; Zakat, or giving to those in need, is one of the five pillars of our religion. In the call to love our neighbor, my Christian friends hear a similar opportunity to put their beliefs into action through acts of love. My Hindu and Sikh friends embody this in seva, or selfless service.

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That morning, each of us found inspiration in our faith. But, drawing on our different traditions, we have also found a common cause: building a better future for the community we are proud to share. At homeless shelters and food banks across the country, many did the same. Together we have shown that our diversity is a strength to be celebrated, not a weakness to be hidden. And that when we face darkness and despair, hope and unity will always triumph.

I don’t see my faith as what sets me apart from my fellow Londoners, because I believe our different beliefs can bring us closer together. While some seek to score cheap political points by weaponizing a series of horrific events to turn us against each other, we can find an antidote to hate in the sense of purpose we share in our churches, mosques, synagogues, synagogues, and synagogues.

Sadly, some politicians and commentators seem unwilling to defend this common humanity, choosing instead to exacerbate tensions by appealing to our worst instincts. This is reckless and wrong, and reveals a blatant disregard for the safety of the people they are supposed to serve. Now, more than ever, we must resist the forces of division and unite to build stronger, kinder communities where we can live together in peace.

• Sadiq Khan is the Mayor of London

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