Founder(s) | Professor Nasser David Khalili |
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Registration No. | 1044028 |
Founded | 1995 |
Location | London, UK |
Key people | Professor Nasser David Khalili, Rabbi Professor Jonathan Magonet, Lord Hameed of Hampstead, Robert Yentob |
Area served | Pakistan, UK |
Mission | Fostering relationships among people of the Abrahamic faith |
Website | [1] |
The Maimonides Foundation is a UK-based organization focused on ordinary Jewish-Muslim communication.[1] It is committed to fostering relationships among believers of the Abrahamic faith. Established in 1995, the foundation has created links between the two peoples through "cultural, academic, sporting and educational programmes".[1] The chairman, Professor Nasser David Khalili, believes that "art...is one of the major means of bringing people...together".[1]
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The foundation is named after Moses Maimonides, a Jewish philosopher, theologian and leader of the Jewish faith in the 12th century. Maimonides represents the common heritage among all Jews and Muslims.[2]
The Schools Programme brings Jewish and Muslim people together at a younger level.[3] The programme was introduced in 2003, when some sixth formers paid a visit from Immanuel College to Brondesbury College. The students were given a talk on the similarities between the history and the culture of the Jewish and Muslim people. The message of the talk was "harmonious co-existence and good citizenship in the United Kingdom".[3]
The Football Programme began in 1990, with Jewish and Muslim children playing football on Sunday mornings for three weeks.[4] The Arsenal football club supported this cause by providing training and grounds for the children at Highbury, London. Parents also had the chance to interact, and they understood that teambuilding is more important than individualism. The programme was made an example in the Respect programme introduced by the Prince of Wales and the Chief Rabbi.
The Foundation has sent many representatives in the past to many countries, which they believe could enhance understanding and relationships between Jews and Muslims.[5]
The programmes include theology seminars, academic lectures, and a Jewish-Muslim lecture series.[6] It has examined medical ethics with Jewish and Muslim students in students forums. Scholars and MPs have delivered speeches to "stress the importance of dialogue between faiths".
One of the foundation's art programmes, Dialogue Through Art, creates an opportunity for Jewish and Muslim students to collaborate on an art project. It also offers students a positive experience of both Jewish and Islamic heritage through joint visits to relevant art exhibitions and museums.[7]