Luton not a town in conflict says Churches Together in Luton

ELN: Over the past two weeks, the media has painted a false and exaggerated picture of Luton as a town in conflict with itself. The churches in the town reject this picture and any attempt to exploit what tensions there are and turn them into conflict.

Chris Barnes, chair of Churches Together in Luton, said “The Dispatches programme Proud and Prejudiced on Channel 4 last night [3rd November], was unrepresentative of the vast majority of residents of all faiths in the town who wish to live together peaceably as neighbours.”

The programme showed a bitter and deepening story of conflict in Luton between the English Defence League (EDL) and their leader Stephen Yaxley Lennon (“Tommy Robinson”) with a group of extremist Muslims formerly associated with the banned Muslims Against the Crusades and their local leader Sayful Islam. It implied this was the only story in town.

Stacey Dooley’s My Home Town Fanatics on BBC3 on Monday, 20th February, in its title and its coverage of those fanatics, inevitably reinforced this perception held by many about the town. It’s easy to forget that she also met open and decent Muslim young men and women, even those fully veiled, who were keen to get on with life without being tarred by the extremism of the few. It’s also easy to forget the voice of young whites, deeply suspicious of the Muslim community, acknowledging that maybe things would be different if they got to know Muslim people.

The 80 or so congregations across the town have deep roots in the local community. They recognise the concerns and fears people have which the EDL uses to whip up hatred and divisions. Much work needs to be done by us all – the Government, the Council, the police and not least ourselves as community leaders – to address those issues. However, from our many contacts and relationships with the Muslim community and their leaders we also recognise their desire to address misunderstandings, strengthen relationships and work together for the good of the town.

It’s hard to believe the story of Luton in conflict will stop there, especially with the encouragement of media coverage and the EDL planning another demonstration in the town in May. The proposed demonstration will not help our work of reconciliation and peace building. The proposed demonstration is titled “Love Luton”, but it will not help our work of reconciliation and peace building. Instead of love, it will spread fear and hatred. It will cost our community hundreds of thousands of pounds from scarce financial resources and in loss of business. And it will further reinforce the image of Luton as the extremist capital of Britain, and add another chapter to the story of conflict between Tommy and Sayful.

Churches Together in Luton calls on the EDL to reconsider their plans. Whether they take notice of that call or not, local churches are committed to working with the council and police to keep peace, and we will be doing all we can to work with our Muslim friends so that everyone in Luton can live their lives without fear.