A girl has been arrested after she allegedly entered a London church shouting “Allahu Akbar” and saying she had “come to kill the God of the Jews”.
The incident occurred at Angel Church in Islington final Sunday as pastor Regan King and his Jewish spouse and kids have been making ready for a service.
The police arrested the girl on the spot for a racially and religiously aggravated offense in opposition to public order.
Pastor King mentioned his household was “shaken” by the incident and that his spouse was “traumatized and now afraid to exit.”
He mentioned his household had skilled “a number of incidents of anti-Semitism and anti-Christianity” for the reason that October 7, 2023 Hamas terror assault on Israel that left over 1,100 Israelis lifeless.
Regardless of the incident, the pastor mentioned they remained “undaunted” and would proceed to function as ordinary, albeit with elevated safety.
“The darkness of our world would threaten to divide, discourage and destroy, but it can’t conquer the sunshine of Christ's reality. Though this incident precipitated appreciable concern and anxiousness, we did what by no means fails – we prayed,” he mentioned.
“Jesus calls us to like our enemies and bless those that curse and do good to those that hate. However this doesn’t imply that we don’t want justice and mercy on this matter and pray for the well-being and salvation of our neighbors.” .
“We stay unafraid to satisfy our calling to be the sunshine of Christ and present His love in our neighborhood. We thank the members of the Islington Metropolitan Police who attended and handled the scenario in a well timed method.”
Andrea Williams, chief govt of Christian Concern and the Christian Authorized Centre, which helps the household, mentioned: “We’re right here to help all church leaders, Christians and Jews in communities who’re topic to such assaults and abuse.
“We’re inspired that the police responded rapidly and decisively throughout this incident, however we consider extra must be achieved to guard synagogues and church buildings throughout the UK from emboldened radical Islam.”
The girl was taken into custody and later launched on bail pending additional enquiries.
