The Alyth-North Western Reform Synagogue in London opened its doors to the local Muslim community and others on Thursday 25 June to celebrate the traditional breaking of the Ramadan, fast known as an iftar.  The event was attended by a large number of local Muslims celebrating the holy month of Ramadan, joining with the Jewish community at the Temple Gardens Synagogue to understand the common bonds and traditions of the two faiths.

Organised by The Big Iftar initiative, the event was designed to show a hand of friendship and welcome by the members of the synagogue to their Muslim neighbours during the holy month of Ramadan.  The event involved a demonstration of the Torah scrolls and discussions on the theme of hospitality in Islam and Judaism, as well as the traditional iftar meal at the breaking of the fast.

Joining the event, long-standing supporter and Mosaic Ambassador Sadiq Khan MP welcomed this important event and its role in building bridges between communities, noting the verse in the Qu’ran that stresses the importance of dialogue and engagement between different communities: ” I made different nations and tribes so you may get to know each other”. Sadiq said of his attendance: “It was great to attend the Kosher Ifthar last night at Alyth Synagogue in Golders Green. Rabbis Goldsmith and Michaels kindly invited Muslims to their Synagogue to break their fasts in the holy month of Ramadan. As a city we demonstrate our strength by such gestures. Opportunities such as tonight show the world that as Jewish Londoners and Muslim Londoners, we are a united London. As different faiths, we have more in common than any differences. Those commonalities define and shape the strength, dynamism, and vibrancy of our city”

Also speaking about the event, Rabbi Maurice Michaels from the North Western Reform Synagogue added: ” The highlight of the evening was the spontaneous mixing of Jews and Muslims over food, study and conversation that demonstrated how much more we have in common than separates us.”