Handshake of hope: Chief Rabbi hails faith harmony
THE CHIEF Rabbi has hailed a new era of hope for interfaith relations as religious leaders from across the world gathered in London.
Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis met with renowned Islamic scholar Sheikh Abdallah bin Bayyah in the run-up to the conference on Freedom of Religion or Belief, hosted in Westminster this week and opened by Prince Charles.
The rabbi said that the Abraham Accords between Israel and Arab states – including Sheikh’s home country of the UAE – have been a springboard for a “paradigm shift” in interfaith relations, especially between Islam and Judaism.
Rabbi Mirvis said: “One already sees that the sands of change have shifted. As a result, there is a positive movement in regards to a new reality. It provides so many extraordinary opportunities for us, as adherents of these two faiths, and through us for the entire world. It is a thrilling moment, let’s make the most of it.” Sheikh bin
Bayyah, who founded the UAE-based Forum for Promoting Peace in Muslim Societies, said his country was now stepping up efforts to fight religious discrimination against Jews.
His aim in meeting with the Chief Rabbi, he said, was “peace with all nations and peoples”.
Emphasising the common links between Islam and Judaism, he added: “The Quran and the Jewish tradition affirm that the quest to save one soul is the quest to save all souls…
“The call to do good is to do good for all, not just believers.”
The meeting came two years after the landmark Abraham Accords were inked, establishing peace between Israel and the United Arab Emirates.
In a video to open the conference, His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales said: “Freedom of conscience, of thought and of belief is central to any truly flourishing society. It allows people to contribute to their communities without fear of exclusion, to exchange
ideas without fear of prejudice, and to build relationships without fear of rejection.
“A society where difference is respected, where it is accepted that all need not think alike, will benefit from the talents of all of its members.”
Speaking to the conference on Tuesday, Chief Rabbi Mirvis said: “We must defend freedom from hatred, freedom from division and freedom from cruelty.”
In addition to Chofesh, or “freedom from”, he said, Cheirut, or “freedom to”, was also vital for believers.
“[This means] freedom to shape, to enhance and inspire their societies,” he explained.
“Freedom to educate their children in the spirit of the tenets of their faith, so that through their faith they will be outstanding and responsible citizens, mindful always of their particular identity which exists for the sake of our universal aspirations.
“Freedom to celebrate the joy and the relevance and the meaning of religion today. Freedom to communicate with
the members of other faiths, in a spirit of unity and not uniformity.
“To seek peace and to pursue it. And to create a civilisation blessed with harmony.”
Also appearing on Tuesday, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby,
said: “We know that when freedoms of expression and worship are restricted, other freedoms and opportunities are limited too. Women, minorities, many other people miss out…
“When national leaders pursue freedom of religion and belief, they have
an opportunity to bring a wealth of wisdom around the table, harnessed to the common good.”
On stage alongside the Chief Rabbi, Secretary General of the Saudi government funded Muslim World League, Muhammad bin Abdul Karim Issa, said that freedom of belief must be respected by religious authorities.
“Every believer has no doubt that religion cannot be imposed,” he said. “How can anyone force belief into the heart?”
The convention, featuring religious leaders from across the globe, marked a highpoint of interfaith dialogue and collaboration.
Addressing the assembled global delegates in London, the Chief Rabbi also warned of a growing tide of religious persecution.
He said: “I am mindful, for example, of the persecution of Uyghurs in China and the persecution of Christian minorities. And, of course, I’m mindful of a worrying increase in antisemitism right around the world.
“The European Commission reports that nine out of 10 Jews living in Europe today believe that antisemitism is a serious problem.”
Of particular concern were conspiracy theories and the use of “Holocaust denial and distortion” deployed by Russian leaders to justify war in Ukraine, he added.
The Chief Rabbi warned that the future of kosher slaughter and religious circumcision was at risk.
“In a number of countries in Europe today, there is a threat to milah and shechita,” he said.
“Surely these threats should have no place in Europe in 2022.”
Opening the conference, Foreign Secretary Liz Truss expressed concern about a growing threat to Jews.
“We all want a world where people are free to believe,” she said.
“That is why since becoming Foreign Secretary I have taken a strong stand against antisemitism, condemning the hateful act of terrorism at a Texas synagogue earlier this year.”
Ms Truss added: “Authoritarians and oppressors feel threatened by the freedom of religion or belief, fearing it will encourage people to think freely and question their authority.”
We defend freedom from hatred but also freedom to believe
The future of kosher slaughter and circumcision is at risk