Theresa Villiers, MP for Chipping Barnet, attended a joint Iftar event hosted by Finchley Reform Synagogue and the Somali Bravanese Welfare Association last night. Iftar is an occasion for Muslims to come together during the holy month of Ramadan for the evening meal at the end of a day of fasting. The Somali Bravanese community have been holding Ramadan prayers at Finchley Reform Synagogue in Fallow Court Road for the last two years since their cultural centre in Muswell Hill was burnt down in an arson attack.
There were a series of speeches and prayers at the event. Theresa was among a number of elected representatives to address the gathering saying: “It is an honour to be able to address this Iftar event. We can be rightly proud of the diversity of our borough which is home to many different cultures, faiths and communities. I very much welcome the friendship that has developed between the Somali Bravanese community and the members of the Finchley Reform Synagogue. This is an illustration of the strength of community cohesion in Barnet.”
Those present at the event included Syed Kamall, Conservative MEP for London, Cllr Richard Cornelius, leader of Barnet Council, and a number of ward councillors. A cross party commitment was given by the councillors present to press ahead with the replacement building for the Somali Bravanese Welfare Association (SBWA) as soon as practical.
The arson attack on the SBWA centre in Muswell Hill remains unsolved but is believed to have been a hate crime. It received widespread condemnation at the time and Finchley Reform Synagogue was among many faith and community groups who offered help to the SBWA. Since the fire, SBWA have been using temporary accommodation various Barnet Council buildings, enabling them to continue with their educational programmes. The Council plans to deliver a new building for the SBWA and has committed a significant funding package to support the project.