Jewish and Muslim women join forces to fight extremism and build bridges

Dr Johnson Elsheik said: “Polarisation has come to the UK…We can be the start of that antidote.”

Lightening the mood by saying that “men are unable to listen and speak at the same time – this is a scientific fact”, she said it was up to the group “to really work very hard as women, who listen better…to really boost morale and hope”.

Participants took part in a memorial ceremony to remember all the innocent lives lost and shattered on October 7 and during the ensuing Israel-Gaza War.

It included readings and reflections and the lighting of candles, as the women hugged one another.

Making friendship bracelets at NIsa-Nashim conference (Photo: Nisa-Nashim)[Missing Credit]

There was a show of solidarity to stand against the rise in extremism in the UK, including the terrorist attack on Heaton Park Synagogue and the arson attack on a mosque in Peacehaven in Sussex.

They also discussed bringing in more Jewish and Muslim voices into British schools, and how to address gendered Islamophobia and antisemitism.

Dr Johnson Elsheik said: “Secondary school children learning in this way - about the possibilities of building empathy and deeper understanding of people that you might not have a chance to humanise otherwise - is especially important following the vile terrorist attack on Heath Park Synagogue, which resulted in the loss of more precious, and innocent, lives.”

The women left with tote bags with messages of support and solidarity and friendship bracelets that they had made for one another.

Interim chair Dr Zaza Johnson Elsheik (left) and co-founder and interim Laura Marks[Missing Credit]

 

Denise Joseph, who is a trustee of Nisa-Nashim, talked about the importance, not only of the friendships which have evolved over the years between many of the participants but also of the opportunity for “honest dialogue that’s actually going to make a change”.

She told members of the network: “You are our changemakers…you will go back to your communities and your families and make that change that we all want to see.”