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First ever Barnet Multi Faith Youth Forum event at Unitas Youth Zone

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Dear Friends

An amazing and unique event occurred last night at the at this incredible youth centre of, Unitas Youth Zone in Barnet.

The first ever Barnet Multi Faith Youth Forum event was organised to celebrate Interfaith week with various mixed sports activities, music and palm printing, culminating in an open mike happening. Consisting of faith readings, dancing, poetry, an emotional witness account of international visit to a conflict area and extraordinary singing, the evening was a brilliant success. The Unitas hosts provided a magnificent venue and atmosphere  with the Faith Forum guests supplying  a sumptuous feast of fruits, halal vegetarian, samosas, bhajis ,parathas, pakoras and platters of delicious mixed kosher bagels.

The special faith space was opened, in which the youth forum members had spent numerous volunteering hours to decorate and welcoming, for all at the centre members to use in quiet contemplation.

Barnet Youth Faith Coordinator Tahseen Mehar praised the vibrant enthusiasm and passionate eagerness of the group to work together and BMFF Co Chair Es Rosen was full of pride for the confidence exhibited by of all who participated and who had the courage to stand up in public, for their faith and belief. Organised by and for young people this wonderful event, showed how inspiring it is when we can all come together to have fun and to learn from one another. With over 600 events taking place all around the country to celebrate Interfaith week, he claimed that this event showed how much our future was in such wonderful talented and determined hands.

Es also thanked Barnet Council and Near Neighbours and especially Tony Lewis, Unitas Zone Director for supporting this event.

BMFF statement following the attack in Germany during Yom Kippur

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Please find below a statement on behalf of BMFF:

In Germany yesterday the world witnesses yet another unjustifiable act of hatred and violence, whilst the Jewish community were celebrating their holiest day in their place of worship, they were inhumanely targeted.

As members of Barnet Multi Faith Forum we collectively agree that terrorists have no religion, they want to create division and chaos among those who want to live in peace. We will continue to stand together in defiance of their plans to spread unrest and hate. Our collective prayers go out to the Jewish community in Germany and in all places. We stand with you and send you our sincere condolences on yet another sorry day.

Let us keep hope, let us keep faith that this evil will not prevail and the good work we do together will counter these merciless acts. 

Trevor Alexander
Esmond Rosen
Co-Chairs Barnet Multi Faith Forum

Hate Crime Awareness Week

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As part of National Hate Crime Awareness Week, Barnet will be hosting a number of events across the borough. Hate crime is an issue that affects the entire community. No one deserves to be targeted with abuse because of their disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, faith, race, religion or national origin. The project aims to show people that we will not let hate crime escalate in Barnet.

Last year we launched our Hate Crime Awareness Campaign: Barnet – Say No to Hate Crime: Speak Up, Get Support and Report It! The project ties in with the Barnet 2024 Corporate Plan outcome aimed at building safe and strong communities where people get along well. One of the priorities under this outcome is “taking a zero-tolerance approach to hate crime”.

Research has shown that hate crime can escalate and spread if it is left unchecked within a community. Hate crime can be targeted against its victims on the grounds of disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, faith, race, religion or national origin. It can include offences such as verbal abuse, criminal damage, bullying, assault, harassment and offensive graffiti. There has also been a recent surge in online hate crime, particularly through the use of social media. Over Hate Crime Awareness Week 2019, we want to reach out to members of our community to encourage reporting of hate crime by becoming a Hate Crime Reporting Champion. Increased reports will allow the police and their partners to build up a statistical picture of hate crime hotspots, so they can target resources towards stopping it. This could include more police patrols or community workshops to bring people together.

Barnet Council has therefore partnered with the Metropolitan Police (Safer Transport Team), Barnet Mencap, Barnet Homes, Community Barnet, Inclusion Barnet, Community Security Trust, Barnet Multifaith Forum and Middlesex University to to spread public awareness and understanding of hate crime, and the effect it has on its victims. At awareness raising events across the borough, community support workers will talk to members of the public about identifying hate crime and the ways in which it can be reported to the Police. This will include information about Barnet’s Hate Crime Reporting Centres, where vulnerable adults can get support if they need assistance to speak up about hate crime.

Hate Crime Awareness Pledge

Jewish community helps reopen Somali Bravanese centre six years after arson

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Extract from Jewish News – read the full article here

A new London base for the Somali Bravanese Welfare Association was officially opened last night in the presence of local Jews who have supported the community since the arson attack on its former centre six years ago.

Rabbis from across the religious spectrum were among the first to offer support to their neighbours in the wake of the 2013 assault, with Finchley Reform Synagogue hosting Ramadan prayers and annual iftar celebrations following an idea from Citizens UK.

Community members also provided free legal support and were at the forefront of a campaign for the new centre.

Last night, new faith minister Lord Younger cut the ribbon to formally open the facility in East Finchley, telling guests: “What sends the greatest message that hate won’t win are events like today.”