12 Jul 2005 - Muslim Jewish harmony in UK
A new report has found that Muslims and Jews in Britain get on well, contrary to popular belief.
Alif-Aleph UK, a joint Muslim-Jewish group which promotes positive relations between the two groups, say their findings prove that far from hating each other the groups recognise the benefit of addressing Islamophobia and Anti-Semitism together.
The report, "A Mapping Report of Positive Contact Between British Muslims and British Jews" was launched at Methodist Central Hall in central London last week.
The launch saw hundreds community leaders, students, youth movement workers, teachers and professionals who took part in the research listen to speakers from both communities.
They included Paul Goggins, Minister for Community Safety, Sir Iqbal Sacranie, Secretary-General, Muslim Council of Britain and Henry Grunwald QC, President, Board of Deputies of British Jews.
The reports findings were welcomed by the Muslim Council of Britain and the Board of Deputies of British Jews. The study said it had exploded the myth that Muslims and Jews are in constant conflict.
Co-author of the report, Urmee Khan said: "We found that British Jews and British Muslims are having to address hostilities that derive from mistaken stereotypes of our religions and our cultures, leading to Islamophobia and Anti-Semitism."
Claire Berliner, co-author of the report added: " Our report shows that informal contact between individuals in these communities can lead to significant relations of trust, which are long-lasting and are so important when people meet again later, maybe as leaders of organisations."
Richard Stone, the founder of Alif Aleph UK the President of the Jewish Council for Racial Equality said there was "evidence among Muslim organisations that they wanted to meet Jews. The Islamophobia Commission running out of steam just as Islamophobia was doubling so I had to find new ways of addressing it."
The former chair of the Runnymede Commission on British Muslims and Islamophobia, added:" We must avoid attacking each other for whatever reason because that plays into the hands of our enemies.
"We need friends and allies. We are seen somehow to be powerful but we are not powerful. We are actually feeling very vulnerable. But I also feel that Muslims need friends."
Sir Iqbal Sacranie said he was pleased with the findings of the report. He said: "It highlights the positive work that's taken place between the two communities for the common good of society."
"The success of building a strong dialogue between faith communities is to be sincere and honest when tackling issues which are sometimes difficult and controversial.
"The impression created by some commentators is that Muslims and Jews do not communicate is wrong."
Sir Iqbal, knighted in the Queen's Birthday Honours last months said the religion question in the 2001 Census, the changes in legislation regarding religious discrimination, the common stand on religious slaughter, male circumcision and support of the proposal to ban incitement to religious hatred were examples of Muslim and Jewish co-operation.
Imam Abduljalil Sajid said the event was significant for Muslims because it was a joint event. The imam of Brighton Mosque, who was involved in the research for the report, said: "We need a dialogue of civilisations, not a monologue and not a clash of civilisations.
"The fight against Anti-Semitism and Islamophobia is a common fight which Jewish and Muslims communities should fight together - shoulder to shoulder.
"We Muslims must fight our extremists and we must speak out against senseless violence, prejudice, hate and bigotry and work together with other peace loving human beings recognising our common humanity and total respect for human dignity and respect for Life"
Alif-Aleph UK is a project of the Uniting Britain Trust and is a registered charity. Alif-Aleph UK is a group of British Jews and British Muslims that promotes, facilitates and coordinates positive contact between the two communities. It is jointly chaired by a Muslim and a Jew.
Source: The Muslim Weekly
Alif-Aleph UK, a joint Muslim-Jewish group which promotes positive relations between the two groups, say their findings prove that far from hating each other the groups recognise the benefit of addressing Islamophobia and Anti-Semitism together.
The report, "A Mapping Report of Positive Contact Between British Muslims and British Jews" was launched at Methodist Central Hall in central London last week.
The launch saw hundreds community leaders, students, youth movement workers, teachers and professionals who took part in the research listen to speakers from both communities.
They included Paul Goggins, Minister for Community Safety, Sir Iqbal Sacranie, Secretary-General, Muslim Council of Britain and Henry Grunwald QC, President, Board of Deputies of British Jews.
The reports findings were welcomed by the Muslim Council of Britain and the Board of Deputies of British Jews. The study said it had exploded the myth that Muslims and Jews are in constant conflict.
Co-author of the report, Urmee Khan said: "We found that British Jews and British Muslims are having to address hostilities that derive from mistaken stereotypes of our religions and our cultures, leading to Islamophobia and Anti-Semitism."
Claire Berliner, co-author of the report added: " Our report shows that informal contact between individuals in these communities can lead to significant relations of trust, which are long-lasting and are so important when people meet again later, maybe as leaders of organisations."
Richard Stone, the founder of Alif Aleph UK the President of the Jewish Council for Racial Equality said there was "evidence among Muslim organisations that they wanted to meet Jews. The Islamophobia Commission running out of steam just as Islamophobia was doubling so I had to find new ways of addressing it."
The former chair of the Runnymede Commission on British Muslims and Islamophobia, added:" We must avoid attacking each other for whatever reason because that plays into the hands of our enemies.
"We need friends and allies. We are seen somehow to be powerful but we are not powerful. We are actually feeling very vulnerable. But I also feel that Muslims need friends."
Sir Iqbal Sacranie said he was pleased with the findings of the report. He said: "It highlights the positive work that's taken place between the two communities for the common good of society."
"The success of building a strong dialogue between faith communities is to be sincere and honest when tackling issues which are sometimes difficult and controversial.
"The impression created by some commentators is that Muslims and Jews do not communicate is wrong."
Sir Iqbal, knighted in the Queen's Birthday Honours last months said the religion question in the 2001 Census, the changes in legislation regarding religious discrimination, the common stand on religious slaughter, male circumcision and support of the proposal to ban incitement to religious hatred were examples of Muslim and Jewish co-operation.
Imam Abduljalil Sajid said the event was significant for Muslims because it was a joint event. The imam of Brighton Mosque, who was involved in the research for the report, said: "We need a dialogue of civilisations, not a monologue and not a clash of civilisations.
"The fight against Anti-Semitism and Islamophobia is a common fight which Jewish and Muslims communities should fight together - shoulder to shoulder.
"We Muslims must fight our extremists and we must speak out against senseless violence, prejudice, hate and bigotry and work together with other peace loving human beings recognising our common humanity and total respect for human dignity and respect for Life"
Alif-Aleph UK is a project of the Uniting Britain Trust and is a registered charity. Alif-Aleph UK is a group of British Jews and British Muslims that promotes, facilitates and coordinates positive contact between the two communities. It is jointly chaired by a Muslim and a Jew.
Source: The Muslim Weekly