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:
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
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.
