Jewish and Muslim communities in Manchester commit to ‘listen to each other’ and show ‘respect’

A series of conversations between the signatories were held in the months prior to the declaration’s signing on Tuesday, chaired by the president and vice-chancellor of the University of Manchester, Professor Duncan Ivison, which enabled “the building of mutual trust and a commitment to ensure foreign conflicts do not become an instrument of division” between the two communities.

Professor Nalin Thakker from the University of Manchester welcomes attendees to the declaration signing (Credit: Jewish Representative Council)[Missing Credit]

“These conversations will not and cannot be expected to resolve, for example, the issue of borders, the status of Jerusalem etc. but will be about accepting that both communities have a right to hold strong views and opinions which need to be respected alongside the willingness to sit down and listen to each other’s views. If we can collectively agree on just this principle then, if nothing else, we are confident that we can begin to help reduce anti-Muslim and antisemitic hate incidents/and crimes in our city region,” the declaration said.

Lord David Walker, Bishop of Manchester (Credit: Jewish Representative Council)[Missing Credit]

The groups expressed regret that interfaith dialogue in the past has not provided space for respectful but difficult conversations, and that going forward the communities will work to create opportunities to “proactively hold discussions that have previously been avoided.”
The declaration also warned against individuals or groups “hijacking the Palestinian cause to target Jewish individuals.”

The declaration concluded by claiming that only through “honest, difficult, respectful and challenging dialogue will, over time, create links and mutual understanding to ensure that this conflict is absolutely not imported onto our streets.”

Bishop David Walker signing declaration watched by Chief Constable Sir Stephen Watson & Chief Crown Prosecutor Janet Potter (Credit: Jewish Representative Council)[Missing Credit]

Jewish signatories of the declaration included Mark Adlestone OBE, Bernie Yaffa, Andrea Cohen and Marc Levy, while Muslim signatories were Manchester Labour Councillor Rabnawaz Akbar, Imam Nasser Kurdy, Qaisra Shahraz MBE and Neelam Zaka.

The signing was witnessed and supported by civic dignitaries including Kate Green, Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester, Lord David Walker, Bishop of Manchester, Sir Stephen Watson QPM, Chief Constable of Greater Manchester, Janet Potter, Chief Crown Prosecutor, Sharmin Birtles MBE DL, Vice Lord Lieutenant.

Other local representatives included Martin Ainscough, High Sheriff of Greater Manchester, Councillor Bev Craig, leader of Manchester City Council, Councillor Eamonn O’Brien, leader of Bury Council, Paul Dennett, City Mayor of Salford, Councillor Nick Peel, leader of Bolton Council, Councillor Jilly Julian, Deputy Leader of Stockport Council, Professor Nalin Thakker of the University of Manchester, and Professor Patrick Hackett, COO of Manchester University.