The man who decided to stand outside Exeter Mosque to protect Muslims as they prayed has explained the reason he did so was because they are 'his friends' and he thought they would be scared.
Ghee Bowman, who is PhD student at Exeter University, went down to the mosque in York Road, yesterday and was pictured holding a placard saying, ‘you are my friends. I will keep watch while you pray’.
The act was made to show solidarity with Muslims in the wake of the terrorist atrocity in New Zealand which saw the murder of 50 people.
Ghee, who has co-ordinated a project on Exeter’s multi-cultural history in the past, said: “I went down to Exeter mosque today because they are my friends and I thought they would be scared.
“I am a Quaker and I have friends who are Muslims, Jews, Christians, Hindus, and people of no faith. But yesterday it was the Muslims who need support and solidarity.
“I saw a photo on twitter of Andrew Graystone outside a mosque in Manchester with a home-made sign, and it moved me, so I decided to do the same.
“Having lived and travelled in Muslim countries, I’ve always experienced great hospitality, and I want to show the same sentiments here in the UK. I found a warm welcome from the people at Exeter mosque yesterday, with lots of them expressing their thanks. Non-Muslim passers-by were supportive as well.
“I joined the worshippers inside during their prayers. All around the world, I think, Muslims are feeling scared and threatened. The appalling attack in Christchurch, a city that I spent some happy times in many years ago, has shown how vulnerable people can be.
“The fact that people were murdered in their mosque, their place of worship, makes it doubly appalling. I’ve lived in Exeter for over 20 years, and I know that the Muslims and the non-Muslims of our city get on well, and live together in peace.
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“I want that to continue, so I will take a stand alongside anyone who would like to join me. Islamophobia, and all other types of hate, have no place in this beautiful city. We are all humans: all different, all equal. Love, not hate, will triumph.”
The number of wounded in the New Zealand terror attack has increased to 50, and reports state 34 remain hospitalised in the Christchurch Hospital and 12 are in critical condition.
Watch the video above and below to discover more what happened in New Zealand.
