Jewish and Muslim leaders from 11 denominations – five Islamic groups alongside the Chief Rabbi and leaders of the Reform, Liberal, S&P Sephardi and Masorti – have signed the Drumlanrig Accords, presenting the landmark document to His Majesty at Buckingham Palace.
The ceremony at Spencer House comes after a period in which interfaith relations in the UK have been under major strain following the 7 October terror attacks and the subsequent war between Israel and Hamas.
Contacts at the highest levels were virtually absent at one in the early months after the outbreak of war.
But last month, for the first time in UK history, the faith leaders gathered for a two-day retreat at the Duke of Buccleuch’s Drumlanrig Castle in Scotland “to shape a future founded on shared values, reconciliation, and social responsibility”.
It was the culmination of a year of talks initiated by the chief imam of Scotland, Dr Sayed Razawi, that started with talks with Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis
Hailing an “historic day”, the Mirvis told His Majesty: “It isn’t easy for either community but we’re up for it and believe it’s the only way.”.
Imam Qari Asim – chair of the Mosques and Imams advisory council – thanked the King for his long-term commitment to interfaith ties. His Majesty in turn said that the real proof of the pudding would be in the implementation of the Accords after today.
To that end, the creation of a Muslim-Jewish Leadership Council will be explored to to oversee joint projects, foster reconciliation during times of tension and develop the potential for shared public statements during crises.
The organisers also set their sights on creating four other committees:
– Educational Collaboration Committee to encourage dialogue in schools and communal spaces and to advocate for increased faith literacy within civil society including addressing misconceptions and tropes about Islam and Judaism.
– Civic Engagement and Joint Charitable Projects Committee to launch initiatives addressing societal inequities such as food insecurity, homelessness and the climate crisis.
– University and Campus Outreach Committee to work together on campuses to demonstrate dialogue, build relationships and counter prejudice.
– Religious Freedoms Committee to look at collaborative solutions to safeguard religious practices.
The ceremony at Spencer House comes after a period in which interfaith relations in the UK have been under major strain
Organisers said the initiative “is not political. It represents a deep and enduring commitment from the UK’s Jewish and Muslim communities to strengthen relationships, promote understanding, and work together for the common good”.
The accord begins with the shared recognition that: “Muslim and Jewish communities around the world share a profound spiritual heritage. Both traditions are rooted in monotheism, the sanctity of life and a commitment to justice. Global tensions, particularly in the Middle East, often strain relationships between these communities leading to misunderstandings and fractures at a local level. In times of crisis, these fractures can deepen escalating Islamophobia, Antisemitism and societal polarisation.”
The signatories are: Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis KBE, Rabbi Josh Levy (Reform Judaism), Rabbi Charley Baginsky (Liberal Judaism), Senior Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg OBE (Masorti), Senior Rabbi Joseph Dweck (S&P Sephardi), Senior Rabbi Moshe Rubin (Orthodox), Chief Imam Dr Sayed Razawi (Shia), Senior Imam Qari Asim MBE (Sunni, Barelwi), Imam Sheikh Muhammad Ismail DL (Sunni, Deobandi), Head Imam Dr Sheikh Khalifa Ezzat (Sunni), Naushad Jivraj (President of His Highness the Aga Khan National Council for the UK, represented by Aliya Nasser) and His Excellency Kinana Jamaluddin Bhai Sahib (Ismaili, Bohra).
