Archbishop of Canterbury and Muslim leader unite against violence after Woolwich attack

The Archbishop of Canterbury has praised the united response of the faith community following the attack on a soldier in Woolwich.

The Most Reverend Justin Welby was speaking alongside faith leaders including Shaykh Ibrahim Mogra, co-chair of the Christian Muslim Forum, following a meeting in Leicester yesterday.

The Archbishop, who is patron of the Christian Muslim Forum, said the "brutal murder" of Drummer Lee Rigby had "no place in Islam".

"All of our prayers and mine are with Lee's family, with his colleagues and comrades, and all those who witnessed this crime and all those in the community who have been so affected by it," he said.

Archbishop Welby continued: "I want to recognise the response of churches, mosques and other faith and civil society groups as well as those of brave individuals who have done so much to bring our communities together at this time."

He said the Bishops of Woolwich and Southwark had visited leaders of other faiths in south-east London and were encouraging other bishops and Christian leaders to do the same in their own areas "to ensure that this awful incident does not cause division".

The Archbishop reiterated the need for unity, adding: "This is very much a time for communities to come together."