Jews and Muslims donate blood together at Golders Green Islamic Centre

Golders Green’s Jewish and Muslim communities united on Sunday for an interfaith blood donation drive.

More than 100 people attended the event at the Centre for Islamic Enlightening, formerly known as the Hippodrome, in Golders Green.

Ali Madani, one of the organisers from the Islamic centre, said it arranged the blood drive because “there’s currently a shortage of blood donors from diverse ethnic backgrounds. The centre is proud to open its doors and welcome everyone.”

This blood drive shows that people can really come together during a time when there is so much division and we are honoured that so many people from across the whole community have come here today to donate.”

Rabbi Natan Levy attended and donated blood, because he wanted “to meet my neighbours and give blood at the Markaz Hippodrome because there are people right here in Golders Green who feel that this generous and open hearted community does not belong here.”

Not only do they most certainly belong, but their warmth, their charity, and their willingness to work with people of other faiths like me is inspirational.”

And I, my family, and my community are each deeply enriched by sharing Golders Green with a thriving Muslim faith centre in our midst.”

In November 2017, shortly after the Islamic Centre was set up in Golders Green, members of the Muslim community turned up at Golders Green United Synagogue in order to donate blood for Mitzvah Day.