Cardiff Council Leader's statement following incident outside mosque in London

Cllr Huw Thomas speaks of event being held in Cardiff to celebrate everything that binds our city and our communities together

Leader of Cardiff Council, Cllr Huw Thomas, said: "I, like everyone I know, was deeply saddened and shocked to hear about the incident outside a mosque in London in the early hours of Monday morning and to see news reports that a man from Cardiff has been arrested in connection with this offence.

"As a Council, we will redouble our efforts, working with other agencies and partners, to reassure all of Cardiff's communities that they are welcome, secure and safe here.

"Cardiff has always been known as a welcoming city, a city that celebrates diversity, a city that pulls together in difficult times. It's important we pull together now and don't let hate and those who promote hate to drive a wedge between our communities.

"This Friday, on City Hall lawns, from 9pm, the Muslim community in Cardiff is holding a special Ramadan Iftar - an event to which everyone is invited to celebrate the breaking of the daily Ramadan fast.

"This event was set up to help feed the homeless and to welcome refugees to our city. It is also open to anyone who wants to come along and take this opportunity to celebrate everything that binds our city and our communities together. It is a chance to show that we will not be set against each other. Cardiff has never been like that and never will be.

"I will be there on Friday and I hope those of you who can will join us in front of City Hall to celebrate the values we all share; love of family, friendship, being good neighbours, caring for others and understanding. We have much more in common than those who would seek to drive us apart will ever realise."