(UK) Interfaith awards honoring ‘unsung heroes’ as 40 award-winning projects
"The Interfaith Awards are a great example of what people can do for this city inspired by their faith or belief," said Jewish philanthropist David Dangoor.
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formerly homeless man who co-founded an interfaith community building connections between Jews and Muslims is among London’s “unsung heroes ” up for a Interfaith Awards this evening.
Lewisham resident Mfa Zaman, 30, who was a London ambassador at the 2012 Olympics, was himself homeless before starting up a charity to feed people like him in the capital. He later co-founded Jewish and Muslim Society.
Several listed projects include Abraham’s Tent at the South London Liberal Synagogue, Stamford Hill’s Muslim Jewish Forum and Camden-based Mitzvah Day, which marks its 10th anniversary this month.
“The Interfaith Awards are a great example of what people can do for this city inspired by their faith or belief,” said Jewish philanthropist David Dangoor, who chairs the Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London’s Council on Faith.
“By shedding light on their work, this event promotes and unites the unsung heroes of the communities of faith and belief in London. This event also gives them access to external resources that could improve their work and encourage others to act.
The Interfaith Awards recognise Londoners serving their communities and bringing together people of different religions, and are the project of the Faith & Belief Forum, whose director Phil Champain said candidates were the ones working quietly behind the scenes on the socio-economic challenges facing London.
“If we really want to extend our city’s benefits to all, then we need to make sure all Londoners have fair access to services, we need to alleviate deprivation, reduce social tension and promote inclusion,” he said.
“The fact that so many relatively small and modest organisations made up of people of different faiths and non-religious beliefs collaborate to achieve these aims gives hope and inspiration.”
