King celebrates signing of landmark pact between Jewish and Muslim groups
A signatory of the Drumlanrig Accords described them as representing “a bold
first step towards rebuilding a meaningful trust between Muslim and Jewish
communities”.
Tuesday 11 February 2025 22:42, UK
The King says a landmark agreement designed to bring Jewish and Muslim
communities closer together is “marvellous”.
He welcomed faith leaders to Buckingham Palace on Tuesday after the
“Reconciliation Accords” were signed at Spencer House in London.
The palace said the pact – also known as the Drumlanrig Accords – was aimed at
ensuring Jewish and Muslim communities can navigate challenges together while
fostering mutual respect and solidarity.
The accords were agreed last month when representatives of 11 denominations from
Judaism and Islam met at Drumlanrig Castle in Dumfries and Galloway to discuss
the future of Jewish-Muslim relations.
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Among the faith leaders the King spoke with were Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis,
Senior Imam Qari Asim, Rabbi Josh Levy and Chief Imam Dr Sayed Razawi.
In a statement about the accords, Sir Ephraim said: “The Drumlanrig Accords
represent a bold first step towards rebuilding a meaningful trust between Muslim
and Jewish communities over the long term.
“They do not gloss over our differences, they acknowledge them.
“But they also send out a powerful message that in times of division, when it is
far easier to retreat into fear and suspicion, we are prepared to take the more
challenging path to reconciliation. We do so not because it is easy, but because
it is necessary.”
Meanwhile on Tuesday, Charles and Camilla
[https://news.sky.com/topic/the-queen-10001] greeted representatives from a
range of military branches they have connections with at separate receptions.
The King hosted around 340 people, including members of Number 30 Commando – a
unit proposed by James Bond [https://news.sky.com/topic/james-bond-6822] creator
Ian Fleming.
And submariners from HMS Astute spoke with Camilla about how she sent tea and
shortbread to their 135-strong crew last year.
Warrant Officer Danny Manifold told reporters: “They were really well received
on board.”
