This week, Bishop David co-signed a joint declaration with leaders from Greater Manchester’s Muslim and Jewish communities, elected representatives, and civic dignitaries, which aims to promote understanding, peace and tolerance in the region. The declaration acknowledges the strain on community relations between Muslim and Jewish residents in Manchester since 7 October 2023 and seeks to begin rebuilding community relationships through open dialogue and mutual respect.
The Declaration reads as follows:
Greater Manchester is fortunate to benefit from a significant Muslim and Jewish population. Both communities are characterised by a shared monotheistic faith in Allah/G*d, a rich history and culture, an emphasis on family and a strong sense of community. Both are aspirational communities, identified as communities which inspire individuals to strive for excellence and community involvement.
Since 7 October 2023, the UK has seen a significant rise in both Islamophobic and antisemitic hate incidents/crimes. The 7 October attack by Hamas, the subsequent Israeli military operation in Gaza, and incidents in Israel and the West Bank have been identified as the main trigger points that have contributed to a rise in these hate incidents/crimes. The resilience of the relationship between both communities has been tested, data from the Home Office shows that in the year ending March 2024, the third highest annual number of religious hate crimes in Greater Manchester’s history were recorded – this cannot continue.
It is within this background and the ongoing distressing humanitarian situation in Gaza that some members of both communities and the wider civic leadership of Greater Manchester are signing up to this commitment.
The conflict in Israel and Gaza continues to be a source of distress and despair. It has caused immense suffering affecting Muslim and Jewish communities around the world. We continue to pray for an urgent end to hostilities, the release of all those held hostage and humanitarian aid reaching those who are vulnerable and in desperate need. In time, we hope reconciliation can take place and a viable Palestinian State can be created alongside a safe and secure Israel.
We must also be mindful of individuals/groups hijacking the Palestinian cause to target Jewish individuals, as we saw with, the murder of two Israeli embassy staff in Washington DC and the targeting of Jewish owned buildings, such as, the attack on an office block in Greater Manchester. These attacks are designed to create fear amongst the Jewish community are a deliberate attempt to further divide the Muslim and Jewish communities and are in no way helping the genuine cause of the Palestinians. We strongly condemn such actions.
It is widely accepted that the present conflict in Gaza has resulted in relationships between the two communities reaching an all-time low where mistrust is widespread. However, if we are honest with ourselves, then the relationship was brittle before October 7, and any disagreements or tensions were papered over and tempered through collaborative and interfaith work which, although very important, never really discussed the Middle East and the Israel/Palestine issue.
Our firm belief is that, if any city or city region in the UK can turn this dark period of history into a moment of courage, connection and hope that will enable us to step out of our respective comfort zones and have difficult conversations with individuals with whom we cannot agree with their take of the world then it is the Greater Manchester Jewish and Muslim communities. 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 history of the relationship between Jews and Muslims is a long and complex one, marked by periods of coexistence, cooperation and conflict. The longevity and the complexity of the relationship means that undoubtedly each community will have different versions of historical events and there will be disagreements. There is nothing wrong in having strong views on past events and even on the present conflict. There is also no doubt that stories and footage shared from and since 7 October 2023 have been distressing to hear and see. Other than the intense feeling of sadness and of helplessness, this distress can manifest itself in anger and frustration. This anger and frustration has to be channelled in a lawful manner, for example, exercising our right to peacefully protest but surely it would be much more productive for us to sit around a table and honestly discuss our feelings and emotions to help each other understand the pain and anguish that we are each experiencing.
For many from both communities, the first small step towards each other, the first greeting, the first handshake seems a difficult hurdle to overcome at the present time but we owe it to the future generations of Muslims and Jews in this city region to never lose hope because in the words of Martin Luther King, “We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.”
We commit to ensuring that there is a viable and open relationship between the Muslim and Jewish communities here in Greater Manchester and we commit to working hard to develop those difficult discussions and our understanding of each other’s viewpoints.
Signatories from Muslim and Jewish Communities:
- Cllr Rabnawaz Akbar
- Imam Nasser Kurdy
- Qaisra Shahraz MBE
- Neelam Zaka
- Mark Adlestone OBE
- Bernie Yaffe
- Andrea Cohen
- Marc Levy
Dignitaries who supported the declaration included:
- Kate Green – Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester
- 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
- Martin Ainscough – High Sheriff of Greater Manchester
- Cllr Bev Craig – Leader of Manchester City Council
- Cllr Eamonn O’ Brien – Leader of Bury Council
- Paul Dennett – City Mayor of Salford
- Cllr Nick Peel – Leader of Bolton Council
- Cllr Jilly Julian – Deputy Leader of Stockport Council
- Professor Nalin Thakker – The University of Manchester
- Professor Patrick Hackett – Chief Operating Officer – The University of Manchester