Kol Chai hosts Harrow’s first Jewish-Muslim Iftar
Welcoming refugees was the focus of Harrow’s first ever joint Jewish-Muslim Iftar.
Hosted by Kol Chai: Hatch End Reform Jewish Community, Muslim guests came to break their Ramadan fast from Harrow Central Mosque, Shia Ithna’ashari Community of Middlesex and the Afghan Association of London.
They were joined by Christian visitors representing Westminster Catholic Diocese, as well as a range of religious and civic leaders from Harrow Interfaith, Pinner Faith Forum and Harrow Metropolitan Police.
Social action was at the very heart of the evening, with many of those present being Muslim refugees who found shelter and support in the area – some of whom have lived in the UK for decades and others who arrived recently.
Many of the Afghan refugee families present were supported after their arrival by a multi-faith Action Team led by a Kol Chai member.
Tables were mixed to bring together people of different religions and generations, fostering connections over a three-course vegetarian Iftar meal.
Kol Chai were partnered for the event by Nomad – a refugee charity that supports young people and families – and North London Citizens, which unites and organises local communities to overcome injustice.
Nomad has been working with Kol Chai on a migrant cookbook that shares the stories of migrants through food, and also played a key role in preparing decorations and engagement questions for the day.
They, along with a host of other speakers from all faiths, helped to enrich the conversations taking place, including by providing discussion starters for those seated.
Rabbi Naomi Goldman opened the event by reflecting on her own experiences as the mother of the only Jewish family in a predominantly Muslim primary school.
She told attendees: “My journey has been shaped by the wonderful conversations I had with mums at the school gate – about fasting practices and the similarities between keeping kosher and keeping halal – and the huge warmth and generosity we experienced from other families, many of whom had been displaced from Syria, Kosovo, Somalia and elsewhere.
“Of course, what we had in common was a desire to do the best for our children and the knowledge that what we share is far greater than what might keep us apart.
“In that spirit, tonight we come together not just to share a meal but to share our stories, our hopes and our commitment to building a more just and compassionate world.”
Karim Shirin from the Afghan Association said: “This Iftar is community cohesion at its height, as we all come together. Our common purpose is our humanity.”
