Friendly Gestures, Could They Spread?

[daisya]

Do you find this heartening and wish that this sort of gesture could be the norm here in this country and other places in the world? I do and would hope that others might follow suit on both sides...or am I being unrealistic in thinking so?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-22689552

[whiskeryron]

Yes if only this attitude could spread it could prove to be the best thing for human kind since Christ spread his gospel of peace to all.

WR.

[naomi24]

A commendable gesture – but I have to question the conviction of the protestors. I wonder if they’ve changed their minds?

[emmie]

i doubt it. ^

[daisya]

That is a valid point Naomi and I wondered that too, however the gesture was brilliant and although you don't win everybody all the time, one would hope that some good may come out of something like this, even if to just release any tension at the time.

[IggyB]

I intend to remind you of this next time a tiny extreme Muslim group do something unpleasant like burn poppies, when these pages are full of hate and tarring everyone from that religion with the same brush I will ask whether we are going with hobnobs or digestives.

[RATTER15]

I wont be holding my breath but it was a very good gesture.

[daisya]

People have to start somewhere Iggy, nothing is perfect and we will always get opposites who have no intention of changing or giving in...that's life imo. However, I am happy that something like this can occur and can only hope it may happen again for the right reasons.

[wolf63]

The EDL seems to have a membership of angry and hateful people - maybe the offer of a cup of tea stunned them.

But - is this stereotyping the English as tea drinkers?

[daisya]

Wolf lol, I was waiting for that.....tea et al lol.

[RATTER15]

So the EDL now has an opening for football hooligans to join in.

[daisya]

But then must like tea and biscuits too Ratter... ;-)

[daisya]

*they

[anotheoldgit]

Amazing that the BBC and AB members are quick to congratulate the Muslims for their kind and peaceful gesture and I also join in that sentiment, but no one has been able to bring themselves to equally congratulate the EDL for accepting the kind gesture.

As they say it takes two to tango.

[anotheoldgit]

wolf63

/// The EDL seems to have a membership of angry and hateful people ///

And there are not any amongst the Muslims?

[AB Editor]

"but no one has been able to bring themselves to equally congratulate the EDL for accepting the kind gesture."

It's not particularly extraordinary to accept the offer of a cup of tea.

To offer tea to people shouting and protesting your closely held beliefs outside your window IS.

[Old_Geezer]

I guess a nice way to spike the guns of the opposition and make it less likely things would flare up. Or am I simply cynical in implying an ulterior motive for being nice ? I suppose anything that encourages dialog and seeing the other's viewpoint is good.

[Canary42]

With only six people turning up, any demonstration was likely to be pretty pointless, so they made the best of a bad job.

I am more comforted by how few did turn up than by their acceptance of typical Muslim hospitality.

[wolf63]

aog - there are angry and hateful people everywhere. Add greed into the mix and this is a major reason why the world is in the mess that it is in.

I try to be tolerant of others and what they believe in - as I expect others to be tolerant of me.

Small gestures like this help - but as one wise little girl asked "why can't they all just try to get on?"

I am off to make a cuppa - and I am not even English!

[sp1814]

Yep - AB Editor said what I was about to say.

[AB Editor]

"With only six people turning up, any demonstration was likely to be pretty pointless, so they made the best of a bad job."

LOL, sorry I didn't realise it was only a handful of people hanging around outside the mosque... This is what happens if you hang around outside any religious building looking a bit grumpy: a man in a dress is likely to offer you a cup of tea.