Faiths unite for London’s inaugural wellbeing festival
Maccabi GB and Muslim-led partners join forces for a free festival blending faith, sport and mental health to foster solidarity across London’s communities
A Jewish-Muslim partnership is at the heart of a bold new festival launching this August Bank Holiday, bringing Londoners together for a city-wide celebration of diversity, mental health and cross-communal solidarity.
Co-organised by Maccabi and the Faith & Belief Forum, the Interfaith Wellbeing Festival will take on Monday 25 August, offering a vibrant day of music, sport, food, reflection and hands-on activities rooted in faith and wellbeing traditions.
Described by organisers as a “truly collective effort”, the event has been co-produced over a year by six diverse partners – including Jewish and Muslim leaders – to break down barriers and create a shared space for connection in a divided world.
For Stuart Diamond, former Mitzvah Day CEO and now interfaith consultant, this approach represents a vital shift. “Often in Jewish spaces, all we see is a reflection of ourselves,” he told Jewish News. “This festival invites people to step outside that bubble. It’s not about coexistence or tolerance – it’s about celebrating difference and discovering the commonalities that unite us.”
He added: “When you actually sit at a table with people you once considered strangers, laugh together, talk about your families, and realise you’re all working towards the same thing – better understanding, wellbeing, and connection – that’s when the real change happens.”
That message is echoed by Nikhwat Marawat, founder of The Delicate Mind, a Muslim-led organisation addressing mental health in faith communities. He described the interfaith ethos of the festival as deeply personal, born out of lived experience.
“After my brother died by suicide, it was the Faith & Belief Forum who first gave me a grant to start this work,” he said. “They believed in me when I had nothing. Since then, interfaith has become central to who I am. I believe it’s essential we don’t just talk about working together – we embody it.”
“We live in a country that’s evolving rapidly. It’s easy to fall into fear and division, but events like this help write a different narrative – one where we see each other’s humanity and build friendships across our differences.”
Organisers are keen to avoid the kind of stiff, tokenistic engagement often associated with interfaith initiatives. “Too many events are just people sitting around a table with tea and cucumber sandwiches,” said Diamond. “That’s not how young people engage. This is about doing – gardening, football, yoga or walking side by side. It’s visible, vibrant and real.”
The day will feature prayer tents, kosher and halal food vendors, wellbeing workshops, talks on mental health across faiths, and a community walk around the park. There’ll also be football sessions led by Queen’s Park FC, arts and crafts from local charities, and live performances from culturally diverse artists – all set in an open, welcoming space.
Ashley Lerner, Chief Executive of Maccabi GB, said: “At Maccabi GB, we believe that sport and wellbeing have the power to unite people across all backgrounds. We are proud to be co-organising the Interfaith Wellbeing Festival – a day that celebrates community, diversity, togetherness and the importance of peaceful coexistence. This is more than just a fun day out; it’s a powerful statement that London’s faith communities stand side by side, promoting friendship, understanding, and collective wellbeing.”
Though Maccabi has been focused mainly on logistics, its involvement highlights a strong Jewish presence at the heart of the project. Stuart Diamond – though no longer representing Mitzvah Day officially – played a key role in shaping the programme through the early stages of the co-production process, bringing in experience from years of interfaith social action.
While the event is non-ticketed in the traditional sense, entry costs just £3, with free tickets available for anyone who needs one to ensure no one is excluded. Organisers hope the drop-in format and central location will attract a mix of families, faith groups, and curious passers-by. “Even someone just grabbing a coffee in the park might wander in, hear Jewish music or see a Muslim mental health talk – and that might shift something,” said Diamond.
Marawat agrees: “This is about creating spaces where messy, honest conversations can happen. We’re not trying to solve the world in a day. But if people leave feeling more connected, more seen, more heard – that’s a victory.”
More than 400 attendees are expected, but organisers say it’s not about the numbers – it’s about the impact. “We want people to walk away having learnt something they didn’t know,” said Diamond, “whether it’s about another faith, or even about themselves.”
The Interfaith Wellbeing Festival runs from 11:30am to 4:30pm on Monday 25 August. Full details at faithbeliefforum.org.
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