PEOPLE of different religions came together to show unity in the wake of a rise in hate crimes.

Waltham Forest Faith Communities Forum held the Building Bridges event in Walthamstow Town Square on Saturday, August 13.

Representatives from a range of faiths and the mayor of Waltham Forest gave speeches about the importance of tolerance and unity in a multi-faith society.

Saira Mir, who represented the Muslim community at the event, said those who use Islam to incite violence are not true Muslims.

She said: “Our core beliefs are the very same as all religions believe in peace, love they neighbour and forgiveness.

“True Islam prohibits violence and promotes peace and those who do not follow this are not true Muslims.

“Muslims everywhere are being labelled as terrorists.

“What we must realise is that a religion is not to be blamed but the individuals who chose not to follow it correctly and they are the sole perpetrators.”

Wendy Smith, a Buddhist member of the group, said young people played an important role in the event.

She said: “The event has evolved over the years and this year it was bigger and better.

“It was a young persons’ event which was really lovely.

“They are the future and we need to educate them to have the inter-faith mindset.

“People said there could not have been a better time for this building bridges event to happen.

The faith fayre is the latest event to take place in response to the rise in hate crimes after the EU referendum in June.

Chairman of the group, Canon Steven Saxby, passersby stopped and chatted to the people at the different stalls.

He said: “It was a brilliant experience and we had most of the faiths represented.

“It was very inclusive and very positive. Lots of people passing stopped and engaged.

“We had lots of young people involved and it was fantastic.”

Mayor of Waltham Forest, Cllr Peter Herrington, spoke about his own family, which include Protestants, Catholics, Jews and Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Quoting a reading from the bible, he said: “In my father’s house there are many mansions.

“That was the way I was brought up to understand religion.

“In loving one another we build bridges for the community.

“Building bridges is so important in a multi-cultural, multi-faith community like we have here in Waltham Forest.”