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Good morning

Wednesday's attacks in Westminster were a shocking example of a violent ideology in the name of Islam that wants to drive a wedge between people. I was deeply heartened by the response of solidarity and humanity shown across different communities. Moments like these cut to the heart of the way we relate to each other as human beings and as British people.

I have just come back home after spending the last 6 months in America - including a couple of months travelling across the southern states. It was an extraordinary time to be there - watching, listening and feeling torn throughout the change that took Americans, and the rest of us, by surprise.

I stayed with local people and spent time with them in their communities, social spaces and homes. I'd heard of southern hospitality, but what I experienced was a generosity that knows no bounds. The people of the south were religious folk and I was lucky to make it to Pentecostal bible readings and mega churches for services. We travelled cities and towns and chatted about regular topics like work, families and holiday plans and we also spoke at length about their hopes and fears of political changes, religious ideologies and their views on minorities and abortion. No subject was off limits really.

Throughout these conversations I learnt that these groups of people were diverse and complex. They were full of love and generosity for others. And yet simultaneously, many of them found it incredibly challenging to appreciate different views that might help them to think more carefully about people who are different to them. I found it difficult to understand their views on what were considered black and white issues by many of them. There was little room for discussion about the pros and cons of being pro-life or pro-choice, for example. As a woman of faith this was hard to accept and so we talked about it, at length!

The Qur’an emphasises the importance of difference, not division, referring to diversity of languages and colours as "signs" of God's creation (30:22).

I realise that might come as a surprise to some – Islam can often understandably be perceived as a binary, black and white religion. But that is precisely why we have to try to better understand the richness and diversity within our communities, especially after the carnage we all witnessed on Wednesday. This responsibility has to fall on all of us, whatever our culture and beliefs. Only by spending time with people can we either confirm or dispel our prejudices. Or both. People are complex.

Taking such a big step out of my comfort zone wasn't easy, but it was ultimately enriching. And I believe that stepping into the lives and experiences of others - no matter how much we may differ or disagree - builds relationships that can't possibly be achieved by politics alone. For me, it's crucial if we are to defeat the warped agendas of violence, which seek to divide us. There is still much work to do.

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