Cardinal praises historic Muslim-Jewish accord

Leaders from 11 separate Muslim and Jewish communities pledged to work together on practical initiatives

The leader of the Catholic Church in England and Wales has welcomed an historic agreement signed by Britain’s Muslim and Jewish leaders.

Cardinal Vincent Nichols, president of the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales praised the Drumlanrig Accord, a pledge from a broad spectrum of Muslim and Jewish leaders to work together to tackle societal ills.

Representatives of 11 denominations of Islam and Judaism in the UK signed the Accord, which establishes a pioneering framework for joint Muslim-Jewish initiatives.

Cardinal Nichols said: “I welcome this initiative by Muslim and Jewish leaders to work together for the common good. In my experience, developing friendships and close relationships between faith leaders is an essential part of encouraging social cohesion and good interfaith relationships more widely in this country.”

He added: “I look forward to continued collaboration with all leaders to ensure faith continues to play an integral role in a healthy society.”

Presented to King Charles III at Buckingham Palace on 11 February, the Accord commits the Muslim and Jewish community to collaborate on practical projects to support the vulnerable and tackle discrimination, isolation, and poverty.

Cardinal Nichols added: “I look forward to continued collaboration with all leaders to ensure faith continues to play an integral role in a healthy society.”

The Accord is the fruit of a series of year-long meetings convened by the UK’s Chief Imam for Shia Islam, Dr Sayed Razawi. This culminated in a private retreat at Drumlanrig Castle, Scotland, from 14-16 January. The host was the Duke of Buccleuch and Queensberry.

The Scottish Secretary, Ian Murray said: “It was a real privilege to witness the signing of this agreement between senior Muslim and Jewish leaders. It is a really important moment in interfaith relations.”

Murray added that he had been “impressed by the depth of commitment on all sides to ensure reconciliation and positive relationships.”

Signatories to the agreement include the Chief Imam, Dr Sayed Razawi (Shia) Senior Imam Qari Asim (Sunni, Barelwi) Imam Sheikh Muhammad Ismail (Sunni, Deobandi) Head Imam, Dr Sheikh Khalifa Ezzat (Sunni) Naushad Jivraj President of His Highness the Aga Khan National Council for the UK, and His Excellency, Kinana Jamaluddin
Bhai Sahib(Ismaili, Bohra).

It was also signed by the Chief Rabbi, Sir Ephraim Mirvis, Senior Rabbi, Josh Levy (Reform Judaism), Senior Rabbi
Jonathan Wittenberg (Masorti) Senior Rabbi Charley Baginsky (Liberal Judaism) Senior Rabbi Moshe Rubin (Orthodox) and Senior Rabbi Joseph Dweck (S&P Sephardi Judaism.)

Stay updated — add us as a preferred news source on Google: