Statement by the National Council of Imams & Rabbis 14-07-14
14 July 2014 at 05:47
Press Release
For immediate release
Statement by the National Council of Imams & Rabbis – 14th July 2014
We are extremely concerned at the escalation and continuation of hostilities between Israel and Gaza.
We are deeply saddened and troubled by all the violence, hatred, suffering and the loss of innocent life to which it leads. We acknowledge the grief and pain which it causes.
In these difficult and dangerous times we call on courageous and wise leadership to strive for a cease fire and a return to the negotiating table to work towards a sustained peace and two-state solution.
With regard to our shared responsibilities here in Britain, it is particularly important that we do not allow what happens elsewhere in the world to affect the very important levels of cooperation and understanding which we have built up between the Muslim and Jewish communities in this country.
As members of the National Council of Imams and Rabbis we seek to replace fear and prejudice with knowledge and understanding and in this way work together for a more peaceful world.
May it be God’s will that peace prevail.
Qari Muhammad Asim MBE; Senior Imam, Makkah Mosque, Leeds
Mufti AK Barkatullah; Islamic Shari’a Council, Layton
Dayan Rabbi Binstock; Dayan, London Beth Din; Senior Rabbi, St John’s Wood United Synagogue
Rabbi Colin Eimer; Senior Rabbi, Sha’arei Tsedek North London Reform Synagogue
Imam Asim Hafiz OBE; Islamic Advisor to the Chief of the Defence Staff & Service Chiefs
Imam Abdullah Hasan; Senior Imam, Masjid Khadijah & Islamic Centre, Peterborough
Sheikh Muhammad Ismail; Senior Imam, Birmingham Central Mosque
Rabbi Dr Margaret Jacobi; Senior Rabbi, Birmingham Progressive Synagogue
Sheikh Ezzat Khalifa; Senior Imam, London Central Mosque and Cultural Centre
Rabbi Jason Kleiman; Senior Rabbi; Bet Hamidrash Hagadol Synagogue, Leeds
Rabbi David Lister; Senior Rabbi, Edgware United Synagogue, London
Rabbi Ian Morris; Senior Rabbi, Sinai Synagogue, Leeds
Imam Mokhtar Osman; Senior Imam, York Way Mosque and Education Centre, London
Imam Shahid Raza CBE; Senior Imam, Central Mosque, Leicester
Rabbi Danny Rich; Chief Executive of Liberal Judaism, UK
Senior Imams; East London Mosque and London Muslim Centre
Imam Mohammad Shafiq; Senior Imam, Darul Ummah Jamme Mosque, London
Rabbi Reuven Silverman; Senior Rabbi, Manchester Reform Synagogue
Rabbi Daniel Smith; Senior Rabbi, Edgware & District Reform Synagogue, London
Rabbi Alexandra Wright; Senior Rabbi, Liberal Jewish Synagogue, London
Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg; Senior Rabbi, New North London Masorti Synagogue
Dilowar Khan; Co-Chair
Mehri Niknam MBE; Co-Chair