Yorkshire Sikh Alliance and other faith groups pledge to stand in solidarity with Black Lives Matter protesters

Representatives of the city's Sikh and Muslim community have put their voice behind the Black Lives Matter movement and say it is time to stand up and say enough is enough.

The Sikh Alliance Yorkshire has stood with the Black Lives Matter Movement and co-chair Jatinder Singh Mehmi said enough is enough.

In a statement, The Alliance said: “As Sikhs it is our duty to challenge oppression and injustice wherever it exists and to stand beside those who are discriminated against because of their race.

“When the colour of your skin still determines how you are treated and viewed, it is time to stand up and say enough is enough. Change will only come with unity, when we all stand together and say we will not tolerate this behaviour, prejudice and injustice.

“It is disheartening that we have not yet achieved the dream of Dr. Martin Luther King that one should not be judged by the colour of one's skin, but the content of their character.

“We have to build a momentum that will see justice, equality and compassion for all.

“We stand with all that have been subject to racial abuse and discrimination. We all need to raise our voices and be heard for change to happen. We all have a role to play in fighting prejudice and racism.

“We stand in solidarity with all those protesting and pledge to work towards a free and just society for all.”

He says: “A desire for justice for all compels us to work together to eliminate the racism that can cause immeasurable harm. It begins by our work in the communities to challenge our own prejudices, lack of representation and equality in our organisations and institutions.

“As Muslims, we must stand against all forms of racism and injustice. Our Prophet Muhammad stood up against any form of racism and famously said: “A white person has no superiority over a black person nor a black person has any superiority over a white person, except by piety and good conduct.”

“Today, in our communities and institutions including our mosques, we are compelled by recent events to work towards positive change.

“We encourage Muslims to call out anti-black racism, in whatever shape and form they see it and wherever they see it.

“We pray for and envision a world where racial inequality is replaced with equality; despair with joy; and privilege with fairly distributed power.”