Oxford vigil marks one year since October 7 attack

The event was led by the Bishop of Oxford, the Right Reverend Steven, and Imam Monawar Hussain, founder of The Oxford Foundation, as co-chairs of the Oxford Interfaith Network.

Despite the rain, almost 250 people gathered at New Road Baptists Church on October 6 to hear prayers and readings and take part in a two-minute silence.

The Bishop of Oxford, the Right Reverend Steven (Image: Ed Nix/Diocese of Oxford) The vigil was timed to remember the events of October 7 last year and to reflect on recent events in the Middle East and beyond.

The Reverend Naomi Gardom, accompanied by Jack Evans, sang the protest song Where Have All the Flowers Gone, before attendees spontaneously joined in.

The Reverend Naomi Gardom and Jack Evans perform a protest song (Image: Ed Nix/Diocese of Oxford) Bishop Steven welcomed the crowd, saying: "Our purpose is simply to be together, and to be here.

"Thank you for being here, for doing something in the face of the helplessness that we all feel, in the face of these terrible events."

Louise Gordon, co-vice president of the Oxford Jewish Congregation, shared a prayer: "Yet in sharing our pain we share also our prayer.

Imam Monawar Hussain, founder of The Oxford Foundation, and Louise Gordon, co-vice president of the Oxford Jewish Congregation (Image: Ed Nix/Diocese of Oxford) "Praying in our distinctive faith and value systems, languages and voices but with the single message; we pray for peace even as we hold our breath dreading the prospect of more conflict and bloodshed ahead.

"We reach across the things that could divide us, clasping hands in friendship and clinging to hope."

Imam Monawar added: "We come together at a moment of war and appalling human suffering, pain, and injury in the Middle East and beyond.

Oxford's MP, Anneliese Dodds, attended the vigil (Image: Ed Nix/Diocese of Oxford) The vigil in Oxford city centre (Image: Ed Nix/Diocese of Oxford) "We hold in our thoughts and prayers those who have lost their lives, the grieving, the injured, the vulnerable, and the fragile."

Linda Atkins, vice lord-lieutenant of Oxfordshire, spoke about the King’s priority of fostering a strong sense of community and described the vigil as a "testament to the strong bonds which we have in Oxford and Oxfordshire".

The leader of Oxford City Council, councillor Susan Brown, said she was proud of the way Oxford had come together over the last year.

The leader of Oxford City Council, councillor Susan Brown (Image: Ed Nix/Diocese of Oxford) She added: "We come together today in peace and solidarity irrespective of our faith or background.

"I pledge in the city of Oxford we will continue to work together to ensure hate and prejudice have no place here.

"People of all faiths and none and of every background, must, and will feel safe, welcome and at home."

The event was also attended by the vice chancellors of Oxford University and Oxford Brookes University, Professor Irene Tracey and Professor Alistair Fitt.