Author Archive: admin

For the Love of Trees: An Interfaith Celebration of Nature and Tu BiShvat

Posted on by

On Sunday, 16 February 2025, an inspiring interfaith gathering took place at New North London Synagogue (NNLS) to celebrate Tu BiShvat, the Jewish New Year for Trees. Organized by Senior Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg, For the Love of Trees brought together faith leaders and community members to reflect on the significance of trees in their religious traditions.

The evening was a profound exploration of nature’s sacred role across faiths. Rabbi Jonathan spoke about the Tree of Life and the Tree of Knowledge from a Jewish perspective, while Revd Fr Matthew Harbage—Vicar at St Paul’s Church New Southgate, London, and a senior member of the Sustainability Committee at Barnet Multi-Faith Forum— discussed the symbolic connection between trees and the Cross of Christ, and thoughts and love.

Trees in Islam: A Quranic Perspective

When Rabbi Jonathan invited me to speak on Trees in Islam, I reflected on Quranic verses that emphasise trees as signs of divine wisdom and sustenance. The Quran repeatedly calls humanity to contemplate the wonders of creation—mountains, seas, animals, fruits, and planets—where trees play a vital role in sustaining life and symbolising spiritual growth. Several trees are particularly significant in Quran:

Date Palm (Nakhl) – A symbol of sustenance and resilience.

Fig (Tin) – Represents abundance and fertility.

Grapes (Inab, A’nab) – Mentioned over ten times as a sign of divine generosity, diversity in creation, and the rewards of Paradise.

Pomegranate (Rumman) – Described as a fruit of Paradise, its complex structure is a testament to divine design.

Olive (Zaytun) – A symbol of purity and divine blessings. In Surah An-Nur (24:35)—one of the most profound and mysterious verses of the Quran—divine light is compared to the olive tree, which is referred to as The Blessed Tree.

Quranic and Biblical Parallels on Trees

Seeking interfaith connections, I reached out to Dr. Imran Usmani, a researcher of both the Old and New Testaments as well as Quran, whom I met through the Woolf Quran and Bible Study Group. He shared fascinating parallels between the Quran and the Bible regarding the role of trees:

Trees as Divine Provision – Trees sustain life and are gifts from God/Allah (Qur’an 55:10-13 & Genesis 1:29).
Environmental Ethics & Stewardship – Both scriptures prohibit the unnecessary destruction of trees, emphasising respect for nature (Qur’an 2:205, 59:5 & Deuteronomy 20:19-20).

Paradise & Spiritual Reward – Trees symbolise heavenly blessings for the righteous (Qur’an 56:28 & Leviticus 26:4).

Faith & Growth – Trees serve as metaphors for spiritual stability and the transformative power of faith and good deeds (Qur’an 14:24 & Gospel-Matthew 13:31-32).

Honoring the Legacy of Trees and Nature

The event featured readings, poetry, and prayers, along with a special mention of The Totteridge Yew—a 2,000-year-old tree in London—by Cllr Tony Vourou, Mayor of Barnet. His reflections connected the evening’s themes to our shared responsibility for environmental action.

As faith communities, we must continue planting seeds of understanding. Nature provides a profound opportunity for interfaith engagement, as the Quran reminds us:

"O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another." (Qur’an 49:13)

Through trees and nature, we can deepen our connections, appreciate each other’s traditions, and build partnerships for a greener, more harmonious, and peaceful world.

Amir J. Ohadi,
Chair, Environment and Sustainability Committee, Barnet Multi Faith Forum

 

Survey launched on faith and belief in the NHS Staff

Posted on by

Take part in this survey which is open to all NHS staff and help the NHS shape more inclusive and respectful workplaces.

NHS Employers is working with Dr Ying Fei Héliot of the University of Surrey to research the views and experiences of staff about religious expression in the workplace. As part of this primary research, we want to better understand the impact of faith and belief staff networks on staff wellbeing and access to quiet spaces.

  • The survey is open to anyone working in the NHS from any background, with or without a faith or belief.
  • We are particularly interested in increasing the number of responses from frontline staff, as response rates were lower from this group in phase one research conducted in 2023.
  • It’s important the survey results reflect the views of everyone who works in the NHS. Please encourage your staff to take part in this anonymous survey by 31 March 2025. We anticipate that the survey will take approximately 10 minutes to complete.
  • If you completed this survey in 2023 there is no need to complete it again.
Interfaith Visit to Midnight Mass: A Night of Reflection and Unity

Interfaith Visit to Midnight Mass: A Night of Reflection and Unity

Posted on by

On Christmas Eve, St Paul’s Church, New Southgate, hosted the Barnet Multi Faith Forum interfaith visit to their Midnight Mass service. The evening, led by Reverend Matthew Harbage, was a profound celebration of hope, solidarity, and shared humanity in the face of global and local challenges.

Reverend Harbage’s sermon was a thoughtful reflection on the resilience and universal relevance of the Christ Child. He invited attendees to consider the Child of Bethlehem as a symbol of hope born into adversity, reminding the congregation of the turbulent circumstances surrounding Jesus’ birth.

“Had He been born in Bethlehem today, inside the West Bank, He would be born both Jew and Palestinian,” Reverend Harbage reflected. “He would be born into the heart of a land marked by conflict and tension.”

He spoke of the first Christmas, a time of political unrest and suffering, where Jesus’ family fled as refugees, escaping violence and oppression. The Reverend urged the congregation to remember the often-overlooked darker aspects of the Christmas story, including the massacre of children by King Herod.

“This child shook Herod’s throne. While some trust in power, wealth, or even violence, we Christians sing of a child born to refugees escaping a massacre,” he said. “In this resilient child and His family, we find hope.”

Reverend Harbage then called attention to contemporary issues, asking, “Where might we find the Christ Child today?” He challenged the audience to see Christ in those who suffer—“buried under the rubble of Gaza” or in the grieving families of hostages in Palestine and Israel. He reminded everyone of the ongoing conflict in the region and renewed his prayer for a ceasefire, urging both action and prayer for peace.

Locally, Reverend Harbage highlighted the diverse makeup of St Paul’s Parish, which spans Barnet, Enfield, and even includes a portion of Haringey. He praised the Barnet Multi Faith Forum for its tireless efforts in promoting unity across faiths, particularly in the face of growing polarization, populism, and hate.

“I am moved by the work I’ve seen across the borough of Barnet bringing people together of different faiths. From Jews to Muslims, Christians to Sikhs – the Barnet Multi Faith Forum has stood out as a voice for peace and reconciliation,” he noted.

He also reflected on BMFF’s solidarity during moments of crisis, citing the Forum’s condemnation of violence during the summer riots and its efforts to support marginalized communities. Reverend Harbage shared a deeply personal moment, saying, “Alongside others, I spoke at the London Finchley Mosque and was moved by the appreciation of the men, to the solidarity we showed.”

“We all need solidarity when our back is up against the wall,” he continued, likening the work of BMFF to the spirit of Christ standing with the oppressed and marginalized.

Reverend Harbage concluded his sermon with a resounding message of hope and resilience:

“The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. It’s God standing with the poor and oppressed, declaring that no matter how dark the night, it is the love of God that is eternal.”

This interfaith visit was a testament to the strength of community, and all attendees were deeply moved by the service, not only by the Reverend’s eloquent sermon but also by the warm hospitality of St Paul’s Church. Inspired by the message of Christmas, the Barnet Multi Faith Forum reaffirmed its commitment to building bridges across faiths and encouraging hope and understanding in these challenging times.