Muslim women are showing their support for the Jewish community following a shooting at a synagogue in Germany.
Two people died during the attack in Halle last week, which happened during the Jewish holy day of Yom Kippur.
Across Barnet, Muslim women have been attending synagogues during the festival of Sukkot, and vowed to stand alongside the Jewish community solidly as allies.
The events are being led by Nisa-Nashim, the Jewish Muslim women’s network.
Nisa-Nashim co-founder Laura Marks OBE said: “Whilst we were brought together by the atrocity at Halle, the warmth, friendship and love in that chilly sukkah ensured that we all went home fortified and determined to stay close.”
One of the visits took place at Alyth Synagogue in Golders Green, where both Muslim and Jewish women stood in the sukkah - the temporary Jewish ritual home during Sukkot - in an act of strength and togetherness.
Alyth’s Rabbi Hannah Kingston said: “We were deeply touched to see so much support from our Muslim neighbours after the atrocity in Halle this week and we welcome them to see our religious home as a place where they are always welcome.”
The Muslim women, none of whom had been in a sukkah before, learned about the festival, then, in turn, took part in some of the rituals including shaking the lulav and holding the Etrog.
Ahmereen Rezza, a trustee at Nisa-Nashim, added: “This was a first for me, but I live around the corner and felt compelled to be here to show that, as a Muslim, I will not stand by when Jewish people are threatened, particularly in their place of worship.”
The festival of Sukkot runs from Sunday October 13 until Sunday October 20. During this period, Muslim and Jewish women have also been standing side-by-side in sukkahs in Leeds and London.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here