A nativity scene in Ilford has seen a sickening attack perpetrated on it where the Baby Jesus has had his head removed with Mary and Joseph smashed. The British Pakistani Christian Association (BCPA) paid for and installed the statues to remind people in the High Road of the real meaning of Christmas.
It is not yet known who is responsible for the heinous attack and locals have complained that the local Council have appeared disinterested about pursuing an investigation in what amounts to religious desecration.
Decapitation of victims is a favoured method of Islamic State although there are no indications as to whether or not the attack is Terror Related.
According to the Ilford Recorder:
Wilson Chowdhry, chairman of the British Pakistani Christian Association said he is shocked that someone would do this and all his organisation wanted to do was install a reminder in the town centre about the true meaning of Christmas amidst all the commercialism.
“Unfortunately we will not be able to get another one in time for Christmas but we won’t be stopped by some idiots,” he said.
“We will come back next year and do an even bigger one.
“Jesus himself was persecuted and killed by haters but he rose again and BPCA will replace the Nativity next year and this temporary setback will be forgotten.”
Mr Chowdhry said he hopes the council will provide a safer location for the nativity scene in 2019.
“The entrance to the main council building is a perfect location and it is a shame it was not offered this year,” he added.
“As an Ilford Recorder poll suggested last year that the majority of local people desire a Nativity, use of the entrance should be given a priority.
“In the meantime I apologise to people of the borough for the devastation of the figurines which must have disturbed many.
His 14-year-old daughter, Hannah said she was saddened that the scene had been smashed and the perpetrators might have “destroyed our nativity but not our Christmas”.
“I was so excited to be introducing the figurines for only the second year,” she said.
“There are obviously spiteful people in our borough who gain a sense of joy from destruction.”
Leader of the council, Councillor Jas Athwal said the incident was sad and he will not let “mindless people ruin the nativity”.
“If we have to have it protected in the future then we will do it,” he said.
“One thing I love about Redbridge is the diversity and living together and this year I had the privilege of going Eid celebrations, Chanukah, Vaisakhi and last week I went to a church for Christmas.
“We want to be making sure that all religions are living here peacefully.”
Anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to call the police on 101.
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