Edinburgh faith communities unite to make video saying 'thank you' to NHS

‘Pandemic has shown us how we need each other’

Iain Stewart: "We just wanted to say thank you"

FAITH leaders in the Capital have united to produce a video to say thank you to the NHS and frontline staff.

Sikh, Hindu, Buddhist, Baha’i, Jewish, Catholic, Church of Scotland and Episcopal representatives take part in the film which was put together by the Edinburgh Interfaith Association EIFA).

In the video, Dr Yahya Barry, director of the Olive Tree Madrasah, says: “Despite the trials we are going through, there remains so much hope to celebrate. If there is anything this pandemic has taught us, it is just how fragile we are and how we need each other.”

Edinburgh Interfaith director Shipra Kohli declares: “We will fight this together with kindness and compassion.”

And Trishna Singh, director of the Sikh Sanjog, says: “My prayer is that once this coronavirus leaves us, it leaves a legacy of broken barriers and boundaries where we see each other as human beings.”

The five-minute video has been posted on YouTube.

EIFA executive director Iain Stewart said: “We are all united across our different faith traditions in solidarity to come together to express our gratitude to all NHS workers and frontline staff.

“In all of our traditions caring for your neighbour is central. Our NHS staff and carers all exemplify what it means to care for another.

“This short video is just a small way to say thank you from across all the faith communities of Edinburgh. We are eternally grateful for all they do for us, every day putting their lives on the line in order to save the lives of others. There is no better sacrifice and we just all just want to say thank you.”