Alif and Alef are respectively the first two letters of the Arabic and Hebrew alphabet. Alif-Aleph is the name of the association for dialogue between Jews and Muslims in Great Britain, established at the Foreign Office in London on 21 June, with the support of the Minister for Trade, Investment and Foreign Affairs, Mike O’Brien, and the Assistant Secretary of State for Equal Opportunities and race relations, Fiona MacTaggart. Before a public of some 300 persons including members of the Jewish, Moslem and Christian communities, personalities from the political and academic world, exponents of anti-racism organizations and representatives of the media, the two leaders of Alif-Aleph, the Jewish Richard Stone chairman of the Jewish Council for Racial Equality and assistant director of the Runnymede Trust and the Moslem Maqsood Ahmad strategic director of Diversity, Confidence and Communications presented their ‘manifesto’. Alif-Alef starts out from the consciousness of the affinities that unite Muslims and Jews in Great Britain: they are two “minorities” that have significantly contributed to the economic and cultural development of the United Kingdom, and that live “side by side”, having in common the tradition of Abraham and the problem of anti-semitism. Bearing in mind the “common experiences” developed in this context, and “saddened by the divisions” that continue to be produced by the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the Jews and Muslims who participate in Alif-Aleph intend “to work together for mutual well-being and social cohesion in Great Britain”. The importance of this association from the viewpoint not only of inter-religious, but also cultural and political dialogue was pointed out by various speakers who intervened in the debate, including government minister Mike O’Brien, who emphasised the usefulness of this cooperation in the present context of the “war against terrorism” and in the atmosphere of “fear” in which we all live. The activities planned by Alif-Aleph include: the common study of sacred texts, visits to places of worship, campaigns for the defence of religious symbols and traditions, and collaboration also with other groups to combat racism and other forms of discrimination. The presentation of the manifesto of Alif-Alef is taking place in the year of the eighth centenary of the death of the Jewish theologian and philosopher and student of Islam: Moses Maimonides. The Maimonides Foundation has been active in Great Britain for years in fostering mutual understanding and cooperation between Jews and Muslims. It derives its inspiration from the life of Maimonides himself, his “ability to transcend and overcome intolerance, hatred, bigotry and ignorance”. A council for Jewish-Christian relations has also existed in the UK since 1942.
