Category Archives: News

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

Statements of peace and solidarity at Finchley Mosque

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The Barnet Multi Faith Forum (BMFF) were praised by Government minister, Sarah Sackman MP and other local MPs for an inspiring solidarity event organised at the Finchley Mosque last Friday.

The large congregation were joined by local councillors of both parties’, Rabbis, and a diverse gathering of prominent faith and community leaders. This harmonious event followed in the aftermath of the often-violent civic disobedient clashes provoked by far-right groups attaching, refugee centres and mosques exploiting for their own divisive motives, the tragic murders of three young girls in Southport.

In a statement, from the minister read out by Cllr Sara Conway, whilst thanking everyone present, she praised the professionalism of the police in standing up to these attacks, and especially to those that peaceably lined the streets of Finchley the previous week. This sent a powerful message about “who we are, and that this is our home”. In remaining vigilant to these threats, she proclaimed “there is no place for Islamophobia and racism in our society.”

She also explicitly stated that anyone calling themselves anti racist but who chose to promote their cause by patent use of antisemitic language or signs does this virtuous cause no favours. “This is racism, and we will call it out” she declared. “The vast majority of the people in our community come together to stand up to fascism and I could not be prouder.”

To loud applause from the huge gathering the BMFF Chair David Clare read out the Barnet Pledge which commits us to work together for the common good, alongside all who share our values of justice and peace, respect for one another, for the earth and its creatures and to build a better society and a better world now and for generations to come.

In thanking the Mosque and especially the kind invitation of Imam Hamid with the warm reception given by those in attendance for prayers, the coming together of Senior Rabbis, Imams, diverse ministers of faiths, councillors and community leaders to further loud acclaim Esmond Rosen President of BMFF, concluded “In choosing the language, of peace, unity over division, of hope over hate, the community gathered together last Friday, sent a powerful message of strength and friendship to the people of Barnet.

 

Barnet Pledge

We commit ourselves, as people of many faiths living in Barnet, to work together for the common good and uniting to build a better society in our Borough, in London and in the wider world.

Together, we are grounded in the following values and ideals:  community, personal integrity, a sense of right and wrong, learning, wisdom and love of truth, care and compassion, justice and peace, respect for one another and for the earth and its creatures.

We commit ourselves, in a spirit of friendship and co-operation, to work together alongside all who share our values and ideals in Barnet and beyond, to help bring about a better Borough, a better capital and a better world – now and for generations to come.

 

Statement from Sarah Sackman MP

Sarah Sackman MP statement to BMFF Solidarity event 9th August 2024

 

Statement from BMFF on the death of Queen Elizabeth II

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We are saddened at the news that our Queen has died. God rest her soul. In her Christmas broadcasts she regularly revealed the personal Christian faith that guided her life. She showed respect for the different faiths of the world. Our Forum has been always encouraged in its work of promoting interfaith dialogue and action in Barnet by her lead and faith.

We pass on our condolences to the members of her family.

God save the King.