The Muslim Jewish Forum of Greater Manchester held its annual picnic in Prestwich to unite different faiths and communities.
On 28th July, a picnic was held by the Muslim Jewish Forum (MJF) of Greater Manchester to bring people from different faiths and backgrounds together in a casual setting. The forum has held a picnic every year since its inception 19 years ago, except when the pandemic prevented it.
27 attendees came from various locations making it one of the biggest attendances from the forum’s picnic. Guests came from many different areas, from Stockport to Bury, and included all generations with ages ranging from four to 79.
There was a warm and friendly atmosphere throughout the day, with people making new friends and reacquainting with old friends. As well as old faces, there were several first-timers and plenty of food to share round.
The event was organised by the MJF’s Co-Chairs, Mohammed Amin and Cllr Heather Fletcher. Heather introduced the Forum’s Co-Founder, Afzal Khan CBE MP, who delivered a short speech praising the work of the forum for the past 19 years and noting that this was the organisation’s 147th event, he said: “With unimaginable violence plaguing the Middle East, it is imperative that Manchester’s Jewish and Muslim communities stand together in solidarity.”
Shavla Moussa, one of the Jewish attendees, said: “It was most enjoyable to get together in the sunshine and share snacks whilst catching up with familiar faces and making new contacts. It is a pleasure to
connect with people from different backgrounds, listen and learn from one another and to celebrate our shared human values in a spirit of togetherness. I would also like to thank the organisers.”