Interfaith visit to the Salaam Centre with the Woolf Institute

Published in This Week at Woolf, 20 October 2024

Dear Woolf Friends,

Building upon the successful visit to the Woolf Institute in April 2024, organized by the Westminster Cathedral Interfaith Group, the Salaam Centre had the distinct pleasure of hosting an interfaith visit last Sunday 13 October. The event brought together diverse representatives from various faiths, religions, and traditions, embodying the true meaning of the Quranic term "Salaam" (Peace), which is most needed in our current troubled times.

The Salaam Centre, currently under construction in North West London, is set to become a modern, eco-friendly, and sustainable place of worship. Developed and funded by the Shia Ithna Ashari Community of Middlesex (Mahfil Ali/SICM), it will serve as a community centre and beacon of hope and unity among diverse communities.

With a clear mission to encourage engagement and collaboration across all communities, the Salaam Centre aims to provide a platform for dialogue and understanding both within the Muslim community and with other faith groups. As a community centre, it warmly welcomes everyone while also serving as a place of worship for British Muslims.

Having recently completed phase two of its construction project, the Salaam Centre is now watertight and on track to finish internal work within the next 12 months. Once complete, the Centre will become a hub of knowledge, peace, and spirituality, serving future generations.

The architectural vision behind the Salaam Centre is the work of renowned architect Ali Mangera, who used to work with the late Zaha Hadid and is known for his innovative projects across Europe and beyond. Mangera has expertly combined traditional and modern sustainable elements, transforming the mosque into a 21st-century inclusive community center that reflects the needs and aspirations of today's society. The Centre will open its doors to all, offering facilities such as a sports hall, venue for community events, amphitheatre, library, and Multi-Faith Prayer Room.

The interfaith visit was graced by the presence of esteemed guests, including Dr Esther-Miriam Wagner, the director of the Woolf Institute, and Rick Sopher, the leader of the Bible and Quran reading group. As the visit coincided with the end of Yom Kippur, a significant occasion for Jewish people who fast for 25 hours, we had a talk and prayer for peace from Esmond Rosen, president of the Barnet Multi Faith Forum. Martin Weightman, director of the UK All Faith Network, also spoke about the upcoming interfaith week events in November. The visit was supported by the Westminster Cathedral Interfaith Group, and John Woodhouse, the group’s leader, presented a copy of Pope Francis' Laudato Si’ to the Salaam Centre to mark the occasion.

This gathering provided an excellent opportunity for networking and Esmond Rosen, President BMFFproductive conversations about new ideas. We are hopeful that this visit will lead to fruitful relationships, meaningful dialogue, collaboration, and partnerships among various faith communities and other groups. We look forward to inviting all readers tofuture visits to the Salaam Centre upon its completion, where we can continue to build bridges and collaborate on further interfaith activities, in which the Woolf Institute plays a leading role.

It is truly a blessing that we have in the United Kingdom the ability to connect with all faiths, traditions, and communities to understand, learn, and work together on important causes. These include combating religious-based violence and hate crimes, supporting social cohesion and diversity, and promoting partnerships for our planet, creation, and sustainability.

Best wishes,

Amir J. Ohadi
Member of Interfaith Committee at the Salaam Centre
Chair of the Environment and Sustainability Committee, BMFF

Get involved in the Your Local Health Team campaign

You may have seen a big new campaign which launched recently to help local residents in Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Haringey, and Islington find out how best to get the health care they need, whether that’s via their GP, their high street pharmacy, other health professionals, or online.

I am writing to ask for your help in sharing the campaign with your networks and by taking part in some short films to spread the word.

The ‘Your Local Health Team’ campaign, which is being coordinated by the North Central London Integrated Care Board with the help of some great backing from our local councils and NHS trusts, brings together key messages on how to access primary care, get vaccinated, and stay well.

Over the next 18 months, social media, outdoor ads, local council magazine articles, flyers, and engagement events will invite NCL residents to find out more on our campaign hub.

We’d love you to share our Your Local Health Team campaign messages on your social media channels, using#YourLocalHealthTeam and, where relevant, #GetProtectedGetVaccinated and tag North Central London ICS so we can like your posts!

I am hoping you will share the campaign key messages with your network via WhatsApp or however you usually communicate. Here are our messages for Phase 1 of the campaign which runs up to the end of December.

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a serious lung infection that can lead to pneumonia. If you’re aged 75-79, get winter-ready and book a free vaccination from your GP. Find out more at nclhealthandcare.org.uk/localhealth

 

Did you know that flu and COVID-19 spread more easily during the colder months and can cause serious illness?

If you’re over the age of 65, have a long-term health condition or are pregnant, the flu vaccine is free. Book via the NHS app or website.If you’re at increased risk of COVID-19 and are eligible for a vaccine, the NHS will contact you directly.

Find out more at nclhealthandcare.org.uk/localhealth

There are lots of ways to stay well this winter.If you do feel unwell, most minor illnesses, such as colds and flu, can be treated at home with plenty of fluids and paracetamol.

Did you know that you can also visit your highly trained, local pharmacist for expert advice without an appointment?

Find out how your local pharmacist can support you at  nclhealthandcare.org.uk/localhealth

Did you know that the NHS App can help you book GP appointments and order repeat prescriptions?

Download the NHS App to book appointments, order repeat prescriptions and check test results – all from your phone.

Find out more at nclhealthandcare.org.uk/localhealth

Your GP practice offers you access to many different services and skilled professionals including GPs, nurses and care coordinators.

Get the care you need in three ways – by phone, in person, or online. For urgent medical advice from the NHS, call 111.

Find out more at nclhealthandcare.org.uk/localhealth

 

Zero Waste Community Leadership training – new round

A new registration round for the Zero Waste Community Leadership has opened, the new application deadline is 10th November 2024.

The course is designed to empower aspiring community leaders with the skills and knowledge needed to galvanise their communities to reduce waste.

The course has two parts:

1) A webinar about waste reduction in Barnet, which is the same webinar as above

2) An in-person training about community outreach, which will take place on

The Zero Waste Community Leadership requires the potential attendees to apply. The application is short and can be done on this form: https://forms.gle/JgKZ8hBBdApKbeHVA

One Planet Peace Forum – Peace Messages for the World

In a world that struggles with violence, we can still say🎉 Happy International Day of Peace 🎉 because we know of the work you are doing locally in connection with the URI Network. You are the hope of a better world!

 

This morning, we woke up to read news on social media on events and activities our CCs and Individual Members have organized north and south, east and west. From a march and training session in SEAPac to an Indigenous Call and beautiful video from Latin America, from a zoom call in North America to a Peace Pledge in Asia, a football match in Africa and an amazing global gathering in Japan and of course impactful initiatives in many other places in the world of URI. Big and small, with diverse audiences, all count and contribute to create cultures of Peace, Justice and Healing for the Earth and all living beings.
Since URI´s inception, International Day of Peace has been an opportunity to see URI star shining brightly
To celebrate our interfaith community, we will be gathering on Thursday September 26th at 6:00 am PT. Please register here
To learn what 6:00 am PT is in your part of the world click here

Faith, Peace, and Clean Air 2024: A Community Walk of Harmony and Sustainability

This year’s Faith and Peace Walk marked the third consecutive event organized by the Barnet Multi-Faith Forum and Middlesex University Inter Faith Network on June 20th, 2024. The walk coincided with both the London Festival of Architecture 2024 and National Clean Air Day.

It was a remarkable event celebrating religious diversity, community harmony, and
environmental awareness, providing an informative experience that fostered new friendships while highlighting air quality and sustainability initiatives across Edgware.

The walk commenced from Edgware Underground Station, making its way to St. Margaret’s Church as a midpoint, and concluded at OneStonegrove. In line with National Clean Air Day, some walkers carried portable air monitors provided by Middlesex University and Climate Action Barnet. This initiative aimed to record air quality and pollution levels along the route, contributing valuable data to ongoing research efforts.
The Faith and Peace Walk in Edgware was more than just a physical journey; it was a journey of the heart and spirit, bringing together individuals from different faiths and backgrounds in a shared pursuit of peace and understanding, showcasing a commitment to environmental sustainability. It stands as a testament to the power of community collaboration and interfaith dialogue in creating a more harmonious and environmentally conscious society.
A Journey Through Edgware’s Spiritual and Cultural Heritage
The walk began at Edgware Methodist Church, a cornerstone of the community celebrating its centenary this year. The church, which has stood in its current form since 1956, serves a diverse congregation, including a significant number of West African members. Its role extends beyond traditional worship, hosting a large Romanian Pentecostal community and a Trefoil Guild group for former Girl Guide members. This rich blend of cultural and spiritual traditions reflects the church’s inclusive philosophy, making it a microcosm of the diversity that characterizes Edgware itself.
Participants then moved to the Islamic Centre Edgware, a vibrant and essential institution for the local Muslim community. Established in 1974, the centre has grown steadily over the years, culminating in the construction of a new, purpose-built mosque in 2016. This modern facility, located on Deansbrook Road, serves as both a place of worship and a model of environmental consciousness, designed with numerous eco-friendly features. The centre’s emphasis on environmental sustainability is deeply rooted in Islamic teachings, which encourage the faithful to care for the Earth as stewards of creation.
Next on the route was St Margaret’s Church and Community Churchyard, the oldest building in Edgware, with a history dating back to the 13th century. This historic church has been a continuous place of Christian worship and community service for over 700 years. The current structure, largely rebuilt in the 1760s, houses bells that were cast during that period and remain in regular use, following a significant restoration effort from 2012 to 2014. The churchyard, transformed in 2019 into a peaceful sanctuary amidst the hustle and bustle of Edgware’s main street, offers a quiet place for reflection and connection with the divine. Additionally, the historic almshouses associated with the church, dating back to 1680, provide a fascinating glimpse into the community’s long-standing commitment to social welfare.
The walk then led participants to the Edgware and Hendon Reform Synagogue, a cornerstone of the local Jewish community. This synagogue, formed from the merger of two historic Jewish congregations—Edgware & District Reform Synagogue and Hendon Reform Synagogue—stands as a testament to the resilience and adaptability of Jewish life in North London. The merger, completed in 2016, brought together these communities into a single, vibrant congregation of over 3,000 members. The synagogue is known for its two walls of stunning stained-glass windows, which were donated by congregants in memory of loved ones and have become symbolic of the community’s deep ties to its history and traditions. Today, the synagogue continues to serve as a vital center for worship, learning, and community life, offering a wide range of activities that cater to the spiritual and social needs of its members.
The final stop on the Faith and Peace Walk was the OneStonegrove Community Centre & St Peter’s Church, an award-winning facility that exemplifies the power of community-led development. Completed in 2016, OneStonegrove replaced two aging 1960s buildings with a state-of-the-art facility that combines innovative architectural design with a strong social mission. The project, inspired by the roof structure of the old St Peter’s Church, was designed to reflect the history and character of the Stonegrove estate while providing a modern space for worship and community activities. The center is managed by the Stonegrove Community Trust, a resident-led organization that has infused the space with a dynamic and inclusive spirit. OneStonegrove hosts a wide range of activities, including programs for families, young people, and the elderly, as well as environmental initiatives such as community gardening. A standout feature of the center is its £100,000 solar panel array, the largest charity-owned solar project in London. This installation underscores OneStonegrove’s commitment to sustainability, with the goal of becoming completely carbon neutral in the coming years.
The Faith and Peace Walk in Edgware serves as a powerful reminder of the strength and beauty found in diversity and the potential for interfaith collaboration to foster a more peaceful and harmonious society. As participants departed from OneStonegrove, they carried with them not only the memories of the day but also a renewed commitment to building bridges of understanding and working together for the common good.