The Muslim Jewish Forum of Greater Manchester celebrated the 20th anniversary of its incorporation with some poignant speakers and a look back at its history.
On 27th April, the Muslim Jewish Forum of Greater Manchester celebrated the 20th anniversary of its incorporation with a gala dinner in the prestigious, and recently refurbished, Buile Hill Park Hall in Salford, attended by almost 60 people who had travelled from as far afield as Durham, Essex, Leicester, and Yorkshire to attend.
The dinner brochure showed the high regard in which the forum is held. Its opening page featured a letter from Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer commending the forum for its work. The reputation of the forum was also evidenced by the high-profile speakers.
Co-Chair Mohammed Amin MBE opened the proceedings. He then handed over to Co-Chair Cllr Heather Fletcher who was Master of Ceremonies for the evening.
Former Co-Chair Jonny Wineberg gave a Jewish benediction before Mrs Diane Hawkins DL JP, Lord Lieutenant of Greater Manchester, informed the guests that she considered the work of the forum so important that she attended every event that she could, despite the many pressures on her diary. She mentioned that Buckingham Palace had written that the King had been heartened to learn of the forum’s efforts to nurture greater understanding between faiths.
Phil Rosenberg, the youngest ever President of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, talked about the impact of the forum. In particular, he recalled that in 2015 the forum’s petition to Parliament about the importance of preserving kosher and halal slaughter received over 100,000 signatures in only nine days.
Mark Guterman, son of the forum’s late Co-Founder Henry Guterman MBE, recounted how his father had found refuge in the UK after Kristallnacht in Germany in 1938, and his lifelong commitment to antiracism, evidenced by the very long list of organisations that he had been deeply involved in, as well as co-founding the forum.
Guest Robert Kanter said: “The 20th anniversary celebration meal was enjoyable and meaningful. As well as being able to connect with familiar and new faces, the speeches captured the tone effectively. It was great to engage with new visitors to the forum, and we hope to take this forward by making further contacts and planning opportunities for dialogue and sharing company in the future. Thanks to all of the organisers; may you all go from strength to strength as the forum continues its vital work.”
