Alumna convenes landmark interfaith conference in London
Confronting Anti-Semitism and Islamophobia
One-day International conference, University of London
More than 120 Jewish and Muslim students, academics and members of the public attended the one-day international conference on Tuesday 10th November. The conference, “Confronting Anti-Semitism and Islamophobia: An exploration of their socio-historic and theological roots and similarities” was organised by the Joseph Interfaith Foundation in association with Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies, University of Exeter and the Centre for Jewish Studies at SOAS, University of London.
Speakers at the conference included heads of departments and senior lecturers from the universities of Oxford, London, Exeter, Birkbeck College, Westminster, UCL, Royal Holloway, Leo Baeck College and Kentucky USA. The session on “Theological Roots and Comparisons” was chaired by Baroness Sayeeda Warsi, Shadow Minister for Community Cohesion and Social Action, Conservative Party.
This conference is the first of its kind in Britain. While there have been many conferences on anti-Semitism or Islamophobia exclusively, this is the first time that the two concepts are being studied side by side and with emphasis on their similarities and common roots.
The Joseph Interfaith Foundation is an officially registered national joint Muslim-Jewish Interfaith organisation. Its work is directed towards creating realistic and sustained areas of interactions between the Jewish and Muslim communities in Britain, especially focusing on young people, and educating the public.
Mehri Niknam MBE (pictured right with Fulbright Commissioner Liza Davis) the Executive Director of the Foundation, and Fulbright Alumna (2008/09), said in her opening remarks: “Anti-Semitism and Islamophobia are two sides of the same abhorrent coin of racism and xenophobia. If we want a cohesive and inclusive society, we must learn to cooperate with each other; to empower our young people, to educate our communities, to encourage our religious leaders, and to publicly demonstrate our joint efforts. This conference is a joint public demonstration.
The participants’ response to the conference was extremely positive. They expressed their interest in the continuity of such conferences. One participant wrote: “You must be congratulated for putting on a conference of this kind and creating a wonderful space in which these discussions can take place without prejudice or fear but in an atmosphere of mutual respect and self reflection.”
The Joseph Interfaith Foundation aims to publish the conference papers in 2010.
Joseph Interfaith Foundation Trustees: Lord Ahmed, Sir David Michels, Baroness Neuberger, Professor Mona Siddiqui
© US-UK Fulbright Commission 2008