We have to stop waiting for violence to unite Muslims and Christians

Several witnesses say that the attacks started when a white van drove into pedestrians.

According to a BBC eyewitness, some Muslim men shouted 'this is is for Allah', as they stabbed people indiscriminately.

He said, "I saw these three Muslim guys run up and started stabbing this girl. They stabbed this girl maybe ten, 15 times. She was saying 'help me, help me'.

"They attacked her and stabbed another guy. They started running up the road, stabbed the bouncer at the Tavern.

"I was throwing bottles at them, pint glasses, stools, chairs, but I was defenceless.

"They were running up saying 'this is for Allah'."

The incident, which has been claimed by ISIS, left at least six dead people and over 40 injured.

ALSO READ: What we know about the London Bridge attack

After the attack, the Internet has been flooded with images and stories of displays of inter-religious unity.

Ilmfeed, an Islamic website, reports that a message of love was left outside a London mosque the morning after the attack. It was reportedly left by a non-Muslim.

Days later, another Mosque got a beautiful letter from an anonymous non-Muslim woman.

Nafeesa Bhayat of the Masjid Al Falah in Coventry, England said: “She asked if I could give this note to the mosque leaders and said ‘I just feel like hugging you all- can I hug you?’ and then she gave me a hug and told me she stands with us and not to worry about anything.”

The letter read: "Dear All People of the Prayer Centre,

I am a resident of Sommerset Road and just wanted you to know that not all of us white non muslim folks are bigotted and small minded.

I know what a beautiful and peaceful religion yours is. I feel compelled to write to you to offer you my love, peace, and solidarity.

In these testing times please stay strong in your beliefs and know that anyone with even a small amount of intelligence does not equate your peaceful religion with terrorism.

I notice the current air of tension in the UK and people are always looking for a scapegoat, however a lot of us see through the blame game and refuse to be at war with you, our brothers."

The same show of solidarity was seen when over 200 imams stood side by side with Christian and Jewish leaders at the scene of the bridge attack.

At the scene, Anglican Bishop of Southwark, Christopher Chessun said, "We welcome to London our Muslim brothers and sisters from all parts of the UK in your holy month of Ramadan so we can stand together..A strong sense of common purpose has built up within our communities over months and years.

This has happened as a result of a decision to bring as many imams as possible together in Southwark...Our common response as fellow citizens of different faiths is to find ways to build on existing friendships, existing goodwill, to build resilience across communities and counter the wicked actions of terrorists.'"

Catholic Bishop John Sherrington told Christian Today: 'I'm deeply moved by being present as we are remembering the victims. This courageous statement against extremism and violence is something that touches my heart. As Jews, Christians and Muslims together, as people of faith, we have the resources to overcome."

We saw the same thing after the Manchester bombing on 22nd of May when 22 people were killed and 116 injured.

ALSO READ: How Nigerians can learn from the British after the Manchester bombing

This show of inter-religious unity is all good, but how come we only see them when something terrible happens?

Why do we always have to wait for a tragedy to unite people of different faiths?

I think it's time to stop waiting for violent acts of religious extremism to break us together, don't you agree?

We have to stop waiting for violence to unite Muslims and Christians

On June 3, 2017, there was an attack on London Bridge around 10:30 pm.

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