Jewish-Muslim tour group
FOUR DOZEN Jewish and Muslim women from the Nisa-Nashim network gathered in London for a retreat encompassing places of worship from the three Abrahamic faiths.
The women — representing almost 30 Nisa-Nashim groups nationwide — dined at the new South Hampstead Synagogue building, where they heard from a young Ukrainian woman who had been helped by the shul.
Their next activity was a workshop on personal development at the Islamic Cultural Centre, plus a tour of the connected Regent’s Park Mosque.
Then, a short distance up the road, they spent an afternoon in the St John’s Wood Church hall, where Dr Jane Clements from the Forum for Discussion of Israel and Palestine led a debate on how to have conversations about Israel/Palestine “without tearing ourselves apart”.
Some participants were surprised to hear the vicar, Rev Anders Bergquist, describe the relaxed opening arrangements of his church, in stark contrast to the security operations required to protect Jewish and Muslim religious buildings.
Rev Bergquist observed that “reconciliation lies at the heart of the Christian message. But it takes courage and perseverance and a great deal of respectful mutual listening — exactly the things that our Muslim and Jewish friends are doing in our church Hall.
“They set us an example.” Nisa-Nashim co-founder Laura Marks said that “at a time when our differences are too often exploited by others, we focus on our similarities and on building precious personal connections, which will sustain us in our shared commitment to a kinder and more tolerant world.
“We ended our retreat with renewed love and respect — not to mention a joint singalong to Abba! We really are stronger together.”
Local Nisa-Nashim group Muslim co-chair Elizabeth Arif-Fear reflected that “in a post-Covid world, it’s harder to meet people of different faiths and engage. The retreat was a wonderful weekend which enabled us to learn about each other, plan for the year ahead and remember why NisaNashim is so important.”