Fear and Hope in the UK

The Forum for Peace UK - a charity that seeks to facilitate thought leadership within the Islamic tradition while also building bridges with other faiths - is a team uniquely composed of Muslim, Christian, and Jewish colleagues. Over the last 10 months, we have consistently met, continued our work, but also provided the space for grief, healing, and hope. When the unrest in Britain’s streets broke out last week, we found ourselves once again supporting one another. At one level, this is collegiality. Yet, on a bigger level, it represents something critical for the future of interfaith.

The entries below are authored by Muslim and Jewish team members. 

Dilwar, an Assistant Professor at Coventry University and an Advisor to the Forum for Peace UK, writes:

“I was devastated when I heard about the horrific stabbings in Southport. I was driving at the time and I remember the sickness I felt at the news. While we waited to learn more about the welfare of those that had been attacked (and find out the identity of the attacker) someone decided to point the finger - making up a Muslim name and identity - and off the lynch mob went.

The next few days saw something very surreal and alarming - riots and looting. Attacks on mosques, ordinary people and the police. Perhaps most alarming - the attempt to burn down hotels with people, including children, in them. I cannot understand how we go from concerns about immigration, extremism or terrorism - all of which could be legitimately raised and debated - to violence on the streets and behaviour that itself cannot be that far apart from terrorism.

When I found myself saying to our kids ‘don’t go into town,’ I surprised myself. I never imagined I would have to say that. 

I have also reflected a lot on the way the community rallied together in Southport to clean up the streets and support the mosque that was attacked. The way in which people courageously went to the streets to make a stand against racism and in support of Muslim communities and migrant groups more generally. This was the majority, this was Britain standing together. United against hate.

Some of the most touching messages of support came from Jewish colleagues and friends. Friends who have long felt the same fear that Muslims came to know last week. And this made me think really hard about what we share, even when we may disagree. One friend said to me: ‘Jews and Muslims against the fascists.’ I couldn’t agree more.

I also thought about my role as a Muslim. It is my belief that Islam is not just for Muslims, for my religion speaks to humanity. It reminds us that we are all from God. That we are created in the image of God, to look after the earth and spread peace on the earth. We’ve unpacked some of these themes in our community roundtables through the Forum for Peace UK in recent months. This is how we find salam - peace. In the midst of thinking of our own fear, how many of us stop to think about others who are afraid, and may even have it worse? What about anti-Roma prejudice, but also homophobia or antisemitism? 

Most people have said that the policing has been very effective. Despite being attacked, officers have worked tirelessly, moving from one place to another to provide much needed protection to highly vulnerable sections of our community. Faith leaders have come out united - including two of our trustees from Muslim and Christian backgrounds. The political leadership has also been remarkable. Swift, clear, decisive, showing understanding and compassion - a night and day difference when compared to before.

While our hearts go out to the parents and families of those little girls that were attacked in Southport, for they are the real victims here, let us focus our minds not on fear, but on hope. On how we came together, how we showed each other that we can be better. That we will not be divided.”

Liz Harris-Sawczenko, the Jewish advisor to Forum for Peace UK; Interfaith Consultant to the Russell Berrie Foundation; recipient of the Archbishop of Canterbury Award for Reconciliation and Interfaith, writes:

“As a Jewish woman in the UK, I have experienced a profound sense of grief, abandonment and loneliness since 7 October. I have heard these same words again and again from other members of my community. 

Antisemitic incidents are at record levels - taking place in schools, places of work, public transport and on our pavements. While many in my community have courageously challenged this, others have felt overwhelmed with anxiety and fear and a need to hide their identity for the personal safety of themselves and their family. This is our reality in 2024.

These are exactly the same words and sentiments that I have heard from Muslim friends and colleagues, and in particular Muslim women, in the past months and in particular over the last week. One Muslim friend told me that instead of taking her daughter out for fun summer holiday activities they were hiding at home, afraid to leave the house. 

And yet as the only Jewish team member in a team of Muslims and Christians, we have intentionally chosen a different path. Over the past year we have learnt first and foremost to respond as individuals with empathy, even at the worst of times and even when we differ greatly in opinion. We communicate, giving regular updates on how our respective communities are responding to events. We are honest about our fears and anxieties, and we ask one another challenging questions - even if the answer is not to be found.  

The important thing is that we listen. We listen to one another and in doing so gain a level of trust that enables us to hear and support one another through these tragic and traumatic times. 

In December, our team met with Muslim, Jewish and Christian partner organisations, illuminating these lessons. We entered the room - having not met since before October - feeling vulnerable and anxious, and there was a lot of pain in the room. But opening ourselves up and bringing our whole selves to the conversation enabled deeper relationships to move forward, to rediscover hope.

We used a similar process to build trust: listening to the stories that have impacted individual lives, our wider families, and the faith communities that we love. It is from that place of honesty that we can build engagement out.

The events of the past week have demonstrated this need for connection beyond our own communities as never before; and the conversations over the last year have given me the confidence to take them further. 

There is currently so much pain in communities. Justifiably so. We also have the power to heal, together, through recognising our common humanity and acting on it. The solution and responsibility lies within each of us.”