Speaking at Featherstone High School in Southall, west London, the Most Rev Justin Welby described attacks on mosques in the wake of the murder of Fusilier Lee Rigby earlier this year as "evil actions".
"The attacks on minority ethnic groups across the country that there have been over the last few weeks are inexecusable [sic], unacceptable and a scandal to a tradition of hospitality in this country of which we should be deeply proud and which has contributed far more to us than it has taken from us," he said.
He added: "I want, as I have already done, to acknowledge the pressure that our Muslim friends and colleagues have faced over the last few weeks.
"There have been terrible attacks, I know that the vast majority of those in this country and especially people of faith would join me in condemning utterly any act of violence against anyone because of their faith.
"We want you to know that we stand with you, we will do so privately and publicly. We will do so persistently and I pray in the grace of God, persuasively.
"We will do all we can to support the security forces, the police, in bringing to justice those who seek to spread hate and cause division in our community."
Welby told his audience that diversity was a "gift not a threat" and he did not want to live in a "monocultural" society. He said he "rejoiced" in the example of inter[-]faith cooperation and community work he had witnessed in Southall.
"Diversity is a gift, not a threat, it is a hope, not a danger," he said. » | News agencies | Monday, July 22, 2013
