David Dangoor gets interfaith medal previously given to the Queen and the Pope

Philanthropist receives the Sternberg Interfaith Gold Medallion, awarded to people who have made an 'exceptional contribution' to building bridges between communities

British businessman and philanthropist David Dangoor has been awarded a prestigious interfaith honour whose previous recipients include monarchs and popes.

Dangoor this week said he was “honoured” to receive the Sternberg Interfaith Gold Medallion, which has been bestowed on The Queen, Pope John Paul II, King Hassan II of Morocco, and former Israeli president Shimon Peres.

It is awarded to those who have made “an exceptional contribution to the improvement of understanding between the faiths in the UK and across the world”.

The son of industrialist Sir Naim Dangoor said it was “an especially great honour to be named alongside these world leaders and luminaries,” while acknowledging that his upbringing in a religiously-mixed area contributed to his passion.

“As an Iraqi Jew who grew up in Baghdad where many religions intermingled peacefully and cordially, it is important for me that we are able to use our different religious backgrounds as a point of unity rather than a source of division,” he said.

“Our family was always taught that people of differing backgrounds, faiths and nationalities enriches our culture and understanding of society. Together, our faiths can become a source of harmony and accord, and only in unity can we hope to meet the challenges and grasp the opportunities of the present and the future.”