This week, amid so much fear, hatred and confusion, let us not forget love

Life can come out and shock you. The events of yesterday are unimaginable. The family of the poor victim are in indescribable pain. Those who knew the men who have done these terrible things will also be suffering. They too are victims of this awful crime.

Over the next few days and weeks we will see the best and the worst of humanity. As John Lydon once sang, anger is an energy. Well directed anger is healthy. We should be angry that such things happen in our society. Sometimes, when you’ve been put so low, it is the anger that keeps you going. We are grieving, and we have to go through that process to heal.

We must ask questions, we must ask why and we must not flinch from uncomfortable answers. We need to be willing to ask how some Muslims have become so disaffected from society and reality to behave in such an evil manner and we can’t be squeamish about how we approach that question or about listening to the answers. But we mustn’t let our anger become a generalised hatred or our fear become xenophobia. This is not Islam any more than it is Woolwich. We must never, ever allow our hatred of two evil individuals to colour us against a whole creed. Because then the criminals win.

And most of all, we must be unswerving in our pride at what our country is at its very best.

That very best was demonstrated not 24 hours before, as the House of Commons passed legislation allowing equal celebrations of love through marriage. This will be a week that is remembered for an incomprehensible act of hatred. But the lasting effects of this week will be of greater love.

When you have a platform such as this, you feel a responsibility to speak out. But the problem is it feels there is nothing real to say. We all want to retreat to a place we know is safe. We want to hold our loved ones close. To protect them and nurture them with our fierce love. And we should do. Take this opportunity to tell those who are there for you how much they mean to you. Celebrate the love you take for granted. Don’t wait for disaster to strike to find out how loved you truly are or to ensure everyone else knows that too.

This week, amid so much fear, hatred and confusion, let us not forget love.