Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis was guest of honour at a Muslim dinner for the first time last night, when he gave the keynote speech to the Muslim Council of Wales.

Addressing an audience of 400 in Cardiff which included Lesley Griffith, Communities Minister of the Welsh Assembly, he emphasised his commitment to Muslim-Jewish co-operation and called for greater dialogue in challenging times.

“True religion involves a life of moderation, of kindness, of understanding, tolerance and love,” he said.

The council's secretary-general Saleem Kidwai said it was "indeed a historical occasion, an occasion which I very much hope and pray will be the beginning of a journey, of mutual respect and co-operation in the coming years."

Mr Kidwai referred to a vist made two years ago to Finchley Synagogue in London, Rabbi Mirvis's congregation at the time. "When you... spoke to us, I and my colleagues appreciated your commitment, vision, passion and sincerity of us working together for the common good.

"As you said then, we may never agree on the situation in the middle east, we can hope and pray may peace come soon. But we can work together which are common to us for the good of the coomunity.

"But what is more important now, to me and everyone in this country of ours is to bring peace, harmony, trust and respect here.

"The increase of antisemitism and Islamophobia is increasing day by day and the need for unity and working together has never been so important as at this time."

He said he was "extremely grateful tha in your magnamity you accepted our invitation. Your presence here... and the presence of past and present secretary generals of Muslim Council of Britain, our mother organisation, is a testament of the importance you and we feel for mutual cooperation, trust and respect. Let us begin this new journey with new commitment, new enthusiasm and mutual trust not as us and them us as we."

Founded in 2003, the council is a broad-based representative body.

The Chief Rabbi remained in Cardiff the following day to officiate at the induction of the minister of its United Synagogue, Rabbi Michoel Rose. He also met members of probably the tiniest community under his aegis, Newport.