Muslim author and rabbi ‘more hopeful than ever’ faith can heal divides

A rabbi and a British Iraqi man have said today’s polarised society have said they are “more hopeful than ever” that religious communities can help rebuild a divided land.

Author Mustafa Field and Rabbi Natan Levy, who are both involved in Faiths Forum for London, made the comments in a joint letter to The Independent over the weekend.

“So much hate is driven by fear of the unknown,” they wrote. “But what we have learned is that the will of good people to create relationships between communities living side by side can overcome and break the dangerous cycle of fear and hate.”

The two friends acknowledged “hate and discrimination” in society but said there was also “huge compassion, cross-community understanding and shared values in our brilliant Britain”.

Arguing that faith groups could help “set positive examples,” they said: “This climate leaves us more hopeful than ever that communities can play their role in cutting through the hate and insults thrown about in the media and on social platforms.”

The organisation promotes inter-faith learning, such as the recent Ramadan iftars, when Jews opened their doors to Muslims breaking their fast, and the upcoming Sukkot festival, where mosques will host members of the Jewish community.