Category Archives: Faiths

Barnet Multi Faith Forum Statement on the Incident in Liverpool

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Barnet Multi Faith Forum expresses its deep sorrow and solidarity in response to the tragic incident that took place in Liverpool on Monday, 26 May 2025, during the city’s celebrations of Liverpool Football Club’s Premier League victory.

What should have been a joyful and unifying event turned into a moment of horror when a vehicle struck members of the crowd on Water Street, injuring dozens of people, including children. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected; the injured, their families, and the wider community left reeling from this distressing event.

We commend the swift and courageous response of the emergency services and those members of the public who stepped forward to help in the aftermath. Their compassion and bravery exemplify the values we hold dear across our faith communities.

At Barnet Multi Faith Forum, we are committed to promoting peace, mutual respect, and community cohesion. In times of tragedy, our strength lies in our unity. We stand in solidarity with the people of Liverpool and all those working to bring healing and comfort in the days ahead.

As people of many faiths and beliefs, we draw upon our shared commitment to care for one another and to work together for a more compassionate society. Let us all be reminded of the power of community, in Liverpool, in Barnet, and beyond.

You Never Walk Alone.

Barnet Multi Faith Forum
30 May 2025

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

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

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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.

Religion Media Centre – Faith pavilion at Cop 29

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More than 70 organisations are running a “Faith Pavilion” at the climate change summit Cop29 in Azerbaijan. A number of workshops, presentations, speeches and discussions will be held from 12 – 22 November under the title "Bringing Faith to the Climate Frontlines,"  offering insights into faith, justice, and environmental stewardship.

The programme includes aid organisations and global faith groups who will engage in  interfaith dialogue with an emphasis on spiritual and ethical values in response to the climate crisis. The Bishop of Norwich, Graham Usher, and the Catholic Bishop of Salford, John Arnold, have written a joint letter urging the government to ensure large polluters contribute more towards climate finance at COP29. They are calling for higher taxes on fossil fuel companies to help support countries most affected by the climate crisis.
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Interfaith visit to the Salaam Centre with the Woolf Institute

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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