The NJA has written to Dawat-e-Islami UK objecting to references to the site of the Wembley United Synagogue as a “former place of worship of non believers.” Below is the text of our letter:
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Dear Mr. Khalid Nazir Mirza,
The National Jewish Assembly is a conduit for the communication of the views of British Jewry to government and other decision-makers.
Earlier this week, we were made aware by several of our members as to a fundraising campaign for the “Mega Project in Wembley London” organised by Dawat-e-Islami UK.
In a video posted on www.DawateIslami.net titled “A Mega Project In Wembley London” and in fliers advertising the fundraising campaign the site of the former Wembley United Synagogue is referred to as “A Former Place Of Worship Of Non Believers”.
The NJA is concerned by the use of the term “Non Believers” when referring to the Jewish community which previously congregated at the site, and how the identification of our community as such is seemingly being used as a selling point for the campaign.
Further, the NJA believes the term “Non Believers” is highly divisive and undermines interfaith efforts to build bridges between the Muslim and Jewish communities in the UK.
The NJA would like to request that Dawat-e-Islami UK’s promotional materials for this project omit references to the Jewish community, and more specifically, the reference to the site as “A Former Place Of Worship Of Non Believers.”
Kind regards,
Steve Winston
Managing Director
The National Jewish Assembly
