Glasgow faith leaders sign declaration to commit to dialogue - The Jewish Chronicle

In a powerful show of unity amid rising global and local tensions, faith leaders from across Glasgow's diverse communities have signed a declaration which calls for a more just, inclusive, and compassionate city.

Among the signatories of the the Glasgow 850 Interfaith Declaration, launched to coincide with the city’s 850th anniversary, was the Senior Rabbi of Scotland, Moshe Rubin, who also leads Giffnock Newton Mearns Synagogue.

He told the JC: “The 850th anniversary was a special moment to recognise how Glasgow has been welcoming of Jewish people and to all faiths. It is the values in this declaration that has enabled the Jewish community to build itself up into a thriving Jewish centre and the declaration affirms those values

Signed during Interfaith Week, the declaration commits its supporters to nurture understanding across faiths, challenge prejudice, work together for equality, peace and climate justice and to welcome refugees.

Signatory Shaykh Dr Sohaib Saeed called the declaration “a great opportunity to make Glasgow flourish through genuine connections between people”.

He said: “When faith itself is so widely misunderstood, when a shared sense of community and purpose has been all but lost, and when various forces seek to inspire suspicion and division, faith communities and their representatives have an enormous responsibility to model togetherness and assert the values that can bring us together and help us all be part of the solution to the challenges of today.”

Launched against a backdrop of growing global and local division with rising hate crime, anti-immigrant sentiment and strains on interfaith relationships, Rabbi Rubin paid tribute to Interfaith Glasgow, the organisation behind the declaration, saying that since October 7, they had been working “even harder to make a safe space for dialogue and ensure that this work continues”.

Rabbi Moshe Rubin signs the Glasgow 850 Interfaith Declaration (Photo: Interfaith Glasgow)[Missing Credit]

He added: “Glasgow is blessed with a beautiful tapestry of cultures and faiths. In this year, when we celebrate 850 years of Glasgow, it is vital that we reaffirm our commitment to honouring and protecting that diversity. We stand united in ensuring Glasgow remains a welcoming, inclusive city for all.”
The declaration was launched in the presence of the Rt Hon the Lord Provost, Councillor Jaqueline McLaren, who said: “This declaration is a powerful statement of common purpose, shared values and commitments from the different faith groups and communities represented in Glasgow.

“It is clear that with local, national and global challenges affecting our daily lives and wellbeing, we need initiatives such as this, backed by leaders, with a robust action plan, to support our aim of being a just, inclusive and resilient city.”

Dr Rose Drew, CEO of Interfaith Glasgow, said: “In these challenging times, this declaration stands as a hopeful and courageous act of solidarity. It’s a public reminder that people of all faiths and beliefs in Glasgow are committed to standing together –against hate, against division, and for the wellbeing of all.”

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Topics:

Interfaith Week

Glasgow