Statement by Charles VanDenBroeder, President of the general Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches

"The terrorist incident near Finsbury Park mosque is an attack on the Muslim community.  The victims and others had come together last night for Iftar – the breaking of the daylong Ramadan fast. Ramadan is a time of spiritual reflection, improvement and increased devotion and worship; something that all faiths support. The act of fasting is said to redirect the heart away from worldly activities, its purpose being to cleanse the soul by freeing it from harmful impurities. 

To launch an attack at such a time is a clear assault on religious freedom and deserves our condemnation. The right to observe religious practices without fear is embedded in our culture and law and must be protected."