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Faiths rally to comfort and condemn after terror

The Chaplain to Glasgow Airport, the Revd Alistair Goss, spoke this week of the shock and bravery of staff who were directly involved in the foiled terrorist attack last Saturday.

Mr Goss, a Church of Scotland industrial chaplain, said that he was at home when he heard a news report that a burning car loaded with gas cylinders had been driven into the main terminal building. Only the driver of the car was seriously hurt, but Mr Goss said that staff and witnesses had been badly affected.

“On the Saturday, I spoke to a couple of witnesses, who, of course, had been grilled by the police because every detail counts. They were just very shaken.”

His chief concern was for the staff who had been working at the desk near the doors where the car drove in. “Many [staff] have continued working, and I think some are still in severe shock, as they saw this burning car come careering towards them.

“Of course, the emergency system came into play, and everyone was evacuated almost immediately, but, for those on the spot, there is that feeling of what might have been. My work has been very much on a one-to-one basis rather than leading prayers or services.”

Mr Goss said that, by Sunday, it had been business as usual. The airport prayer room, which is visited regularly by all faith communities, smelt of smoke and petrol, but was useable. The start of the school holidays in Scotland meant that the airport continued to be crowded to capacity.

“People are flying, but, of course, are still nervous, and there are concrete blocks up now; so cars cannot get near the terminal building. I have not picked up any particular anti-Muslim backlash — people are just getting on with their lives.”

The Salvation Army was also called to the airport after the foiled attack. It was on standby from 5 p.m., and was called out by Strathclyde Fire Brigade at 10 p.m. Major Stephen Huyton, the leader of the Salvation Army in Rutherglen, and two volunteers provided refreshments to the emergency services. Later in the night, the police asked the Salvation Army to move to the Avis car-hire building, where many travellers had stayed since the attack.

On Tuesday, leaders from various faiths, including those from the Muslim and Jewish communities, as well as from the Church of Scotland, the Roman Catholic Church, and the Scottish Episcopal Church, issued a joint statement condemning the attacks.

Full story at Church Times.