July 7, 2005
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Jeremy Reynalds
P O Box 27693
Alb., NM 87125-7693
Tel: (505) 400-7145
www.joyjunction.org
CHRISTIAN LEADERS RESPOND TO LONDON BOMBING
Four blasts rocked the London subway and tore open a packed double-decker bus during the morning rush hour Thursday, sending bloodied victims fleeing after what British Prime Minister Tony Blair called "barbaric" terrorist attacks.
While the exact number of those killed vary, it appears that somewhere between 40 and 50 people were killed and maybe as many as 700 injured.
A statement appeared today on the (currently defunct) jihadist website Al-Qal'ah (www.qal3ah.net), purportedly posted by the group claiming responsibility for the bomb attacks in London today.
A translation provided by World Net Daily read in part, "In the name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate, may peace be upon the cheerful one and the dauntless fighter, Prophet Muhammad, God's peace be upon him. O nation of Islam and nation of Arabism: Rejoice for it is time to take revenge from the British Zionist Crusader government in retaliation for the massacres Britain is committing in Iraq and Afghanistan. The heroic mujahidin have carried out a blessed raid in London. Britain is now burning with fear, terror and panic in its northern, southern, eastern and western quarters."
Christian leaders were quick to respond to the day's shocking events.
In an e-mailed statement, Peter Kerridge, CEO of Premier Christian Radio said, "Like many, I am shocked by the scenes of violence and destruction we have witnessed today in London. We at Premier Christian Radio are calling for our listeners to pray for the victims of today's terrorist attack as well as their families and the paramedics, police and hospital staff."
Speaking in a statement reported by the Associated Baptist Press (www.biblicalrecorder.org/content/news/2005/7_7_2005/ne070705bwa.shtml), David Coffee, general secretary of the Baptist Union of Great Britain, said, "The events that took place in London today fill us with horror, and our prayers go out to the bereaved and the injured, together with all those who are seeking to offer help and comfort, including the emergency services, security forces and chaplains."
He added, "In a world of violence, where there is too little respect for life, we want to stand alongside all those who are the victims of such brutality, sharing their pain and anger, and embracing them with compassion. This is a time when we are called to answer the evil of violence with an unswerving commitment to the ways that make for peace and justice. We join our Christian hope with all who seek the common good at this critical time."
The Associated Baptist Press (ABP) also reported that worldwide Baptists will continue with plans to meet July 27-31 in England, despite the deadly bombings.
British Baptists, who will play host to the Baptist World Congress in Birmingham in less than three weeks, voiced their desire, ABP reported, "to stand alongside all those who are the victims of such brutality," but confirmed plans for the meeting of Baptists worldwide will go on.
"When we gather in Birmingham as a family of world Baptists," ABP reported Coffee said, "it will give us an opportunity to pray together for our broken world and to show solidarity with all who suffer."
Then in a statement e-mailed from India, Hopegivers International President Dr. Samuel Thomas said, "Our prayers go out to the victims of the London terror attacks and their families. We understand their pain because we face terrorist attacks almost daily from religious fanatics in India. Whenever there is hope for peace and freedom from hunger and suffering there will always be evil people who want to interject despair. Who can believe that there is not dark, Satanic forces behind these kinds of attacks?"
Thomas added, "We, as Hopegivers, have a choice. Where there is death and suffering like this, we are committed to responding with hope and tangible love. Today's terror attack is just another reminder for us that we are still at war with evil and our only response can be sending more help and hope!"
Hopegivers (www.hopegivers.com) helps abandoned children and other needy or oppressed people.
To: All
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http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_uk.html
PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
This information is current as of today, Fri Jul 08 2005 01:34:54 GMT-0700.
UNITED KINGDOM
July 7, 2005
The morning of July 7, 2005, explosions occurred at three Underground train stations and on a bus in Central London. The explosions appear to be the result of a terrorist attack. UK government officials have confirmed over 30 deaths and numerous injuries. There are reports of some American citizen injuries, but no American fatalities.
Access to Central London was temporarily restricted to accommodate emergency operations. UK officials expect transportation services on most Underground lines will be returning to normal during the course of July 8, with some disruptions. Information on disruptions to London transportation services can be found at www.tfl.gov.uk. Mobile phone systems suffered some disruptions in service but are returning to full operation.
Public services outside of Central London are available. Airports remain open and are handling normally scheduled flights. The National Rail Services are operating with some disruption. For train information, visit www.nationalrail.co.uk. Tourist sites are open to the public.
The U.S. Embassy temporarily suspended public access on July 7, although emergency services remain available. It will be open for all public services on July 8.
The public should refer to media news outlets for the most current information. For inquiries about the welfare and whereabouts of American citizens who are believed to have been in the vicinity of the explosions, please contact the U.S. Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 in the U.S., and for callers outside the U.S. and Canada by calling a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.
U.S. citizens should also consult the U.S. Department of State's Travel Warnings, Consular Information Sheets, the Worldwide Caution Public Announcement and other information, available at http://travel.state.gov. The U.S. Embassy in London can be reached at (020) 7499-9000 between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. local time.
Americans living or traveling in the UK are encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate through the State Department's travel registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov. Americans without Internet access may register directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
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