'My kitchen feeds Jews with Muslims - Prince Harry's support has surprised me'

Daily Mirror

2 days ago

Salaam-Shalom Kitchen turns 10 years old this week, at a time when divisions between the two communities are under immense strain from events in the Middle East
Ten years ago, Tanya Sakhnovich, a rabbi from Nottingham Liberal Synagogue and Saj Mohammed, CEO and founder of Himmah, a local Muslim-led social justice charity, sat down together to find a way to bring their communities together.
With rising tensions in the city following a racist English Defence League march and an upswing locally in hate crime, the two faith leaders spoke about trying to do something 'meaningful' together to help people from all backgrounds who were struggling in Nottingham.
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"Tanya and Saj's vision was for the two communities – Muslim and Jewish – to come together to change the narrative, to show solidarity, community cohesion and to align to something that shows both faiths' values," explains Ferzana Shan, co-chair of the project. "Out of that came Salaam-Shalom Kitchen, from two greetings in Hebrew and Arabic."
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The Salaam-Shalom kitchen turns 10 years old this week, at a time when divisions between the two communities are under immense strain from events thousands of miles away in the Middle East. What began as a community meal for 30, has grown to a weekly dinner for around 100 people, and around 700 takeaway meals and 500 bags of groceries given out every month.
But what's perhaps more remarkable, is that despite a national rise in antisemitism and Islamophobia linked to the war in Gaza and October 7 attacks, the project has kept going, dialogue has kept happening, and busy kitchen space is still shared by chefs and volunteers from both faiths.
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"The conflicts in Gaza and Israel have impacted us," says Ferzana, a mum-of-five, who works for a police force. "We have people on our steering group with families in Israel, we have pro-Palestine supporters and people who have anti-war beliefs. We had several conversations with each other where we discussed what we felt as individuals and what we needed from each other to carry on working together. We had to have those difficult conversations. We couldn't shy away, because people felt so different about things. But we came together, and we united on humanity. What we're doing here is what counts."
Tensions closer to home including last summer's racist riots across England – which saw groups clash in Nottingham city centre – have also posed challenges to a project based on community cohesion. "We weren't affected by the riots last year, but we were very worried especially because of our faiths," Ferzana says. "The police were very good, and we closed early on the day of the protests in Nottingham."
Now, on its tenth birthday, the charity's parent project, Himmah, has been recognised by Prince Harry, who made a 'significant donation' – four years after his wife Meghan gave £10,000 from the Royal Foundation. "To have been chosen by such a high-profile Royal once is amazing, but to have been supported by Prince Harry too left us completely gobsmacked,' says director Sajid, who added the charity feels 'hugely humbled'.
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Ferzana adds: 'We're delighted with the money from Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, it is incredible. The more money we have, the more we can give, but it also spotlights our great work.'
Feeding people every Wednesday, Salaam-Shalom Kitchen is based in Hyson Green, the most deprived area in Nottingham and one of the most deprived in the country. The project has used premises at the United Reformed Church, the Nottingham Liberal Synagogue, and Himmah, one of the largest independent food banks in the city.
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"There is this kind of narrative in the world that we are two groups of people who are pitted against each other – that there is some reason why we don't get on," says co-chair Dr Karen Worth, a GP and University professor. "We wanted to show that isn't true. It's very powerful to reach out against perceived boundaries and perceived differences, because, actually, – in the words of Jo Cox – whenever we meet and talk we realise we have way more in common than that which divides us."
With up to 120 guests for their weekly Wednesday night dinners, Salaam-Shalom is more than just a place to eat a hot meal. It provides takeaway food, a table with hot drinks and pastries, and groceries to take home – including fresh fruit and veg, loaves of bread and bouquets of flowers. Fareshare donates 80 kilograms of food and the rest comes from donations from local supermarkets – gathered, cooked and distributed by a network of 75 active volunteers.
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"While our primary function is to bring Jews and Muslims together, we are also bringing together all sorts of other people," Karen says. "Our guests also come together from different backgrounds – it shows people can get on really well. It's a beacon of hope for Jews and Muslims to see – and for the world to see – how we work together, but also a beacon of hope for those come here to be treated like human beings with love and compassion.
"Obviously we all have our own feelings and upsets, but we have remained focused that difficulties elsewhere in the world should not affect our project. I'm very proud of what we do."
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To those attending tonight's meal, it's clear the food and community at Salaam-Shalom means so much. Tiffany Ramage, 27, comes with her four children, her partner and mum. "As a family we've been impacted heavily by the cost-of-living," she says. "I survive on Universal Credit but once we've paid the rent and bills, we're not left with much for food. My son has diabetes, so our budget has to cater for his dietary needs. The roof on our rented home leaks, so when it rains, we use a bucket. We've been on the council waiting list for months."
Janet Winn, 66, is a mum and a carer to her disabled son, who became paralysed after an accident. "At first it was the social aspect, but now it helps a lot because I'm a carer for my adult son," she says. "Since his accident, I've been juggling things."
It's in the kitchen where the people from the two communities work together to produce delicious, healthy meals, there is no time, or desire, for division.
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Volunteers at the project include a 90-year-old retired medical consultant, Dr Abdur Raoof, who is a grandfather of 12, and chops vegetables every week in the kitchen. "I just knew I wanted to be involved in this project, I have been here since it started. It is important to put my human values before anything else. The Quran talks about the importance of looking after our neighbours."
Grandmother Nicola Barber, 44, is the operational manager, while her son Tristan Noble, 27, is a volunteer.She says the service is "a lifeline" to many families.
'You don't need a referral to come here, we don't ask questions, people can just come in for a hot meal and they can take home a packed meal and some groceries. For some this is their only hot meal of the week."
One of the other volunteers tells us she grew up in the Middle East. "I grew up in a country where there was war and conflict," she says. "I grew up hearing air sirens. I was just two when my mother hid with us in shelters. I was traumatised. So, when I moved to this country in 2000, I wanted to get involved with a project that represented peace.
"Here we are all about unity and creating friendships – we are one big family."