Maimonides Foundation

The Maimonides Foundation is a UK-based organisation focused on ordinary Jewish - Christian - 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 three peoples through "cultural, academic, sporting and educational programmes".[1] The chairman, Professor Nasser David Khalili,[2] believes that "art...is one of the major means of bringing people...together".[1]

The Maimonides Foundation
Founded1995
FounderProfessor Nasser David Khalili
Registration no.1044028
Location
Area served
Pakistan, UK
Key people
Professor Nasser David Khalili, Rabbi Professor Jonathan Magonet, Lord Hameed of Hampstead, Robert Yentob
Website

History

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.[3]

Programmes

Interfaith Explorer

Interfaith Explorers is a Maimonides Foundation education project. EdisonLearning has put together a Learning Unit for Primary School children. The course is completely underwritten by the Maimonides Foundation and is offered free to the 23,000 primary school of England and Wales.

It will be available to be taught in the summer term 2012.

House of Peace

The House of Peace project uses Paintings, Photography, and cinematography to illustrate peace. It is centred on 4 paintings of Jerusalem by Ben Johnson. One is a great panorama of Jerusalem, one shows the Western Wall of the Temple, another the Christian Quarter and Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and another the Dome of the Rock. A fifth symbolic painting, is a circle of words for peace in Hebrew, Arabic, and English centring on the words for God in those three languages.

Schools programme

The Schools Programme brings Jewish and Muslim people together at a younger level.[4] 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".[4]

Football programme

The Football Programme began in 1990, with Jewish and Muslim children playing football on Sunday mornings for three weeks.[5] 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.

International visits

The Foundation has sent many representatives in the past to many countries, which they believe could enhance understanding and relationships between Jews and Muslims.[6]

Academic programmes

The programmes include theology seminars, academic lectures, and a Jewish-Muslim lecture series.[7] 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".

Art programmes

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.[8]

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References
  1. The Maimonides Foundation Official Website
  2. "British entrepreneur Nasser David Khalili named UNESCO goodwill ambassador". UN News. 2012-10-16. Retrieved 2020-02-13.
  3. "Moses Maimonides". Archived from the original on 29 September 2010. Retrieved 2 October 2010.
  4. "Schools Programme". Archived from the original on 2010-08-27. Retrieved 2010-09-27.
  5. "Football Programme". Archived from the original on 2010-10-06. Retrieved 2010-09-27.
  6. "International visits". Archived from the original on 2010-08-27. Retrieved 2010-09-27.
  7. "Academic Programmes". Archived from the original on 2010-08-27. Retrieved 2010-09-28.
  8. "The Maimonides Foundation, London". Coventry University. Retrieved 2 October 2010.
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