Thousands of people across the UK took part in the interfaith day encouraging good deeds
Loulla-Mae Eleftheriou-Smith
Muslims planning to open a new mosque in a traditionally Jewish north London community have joined people at their local synagogue to give blood as part of a national drive to help those in need.
Plans to turn the Hippodrome in Golders Green into a Muslim community centre in September after it was bought by the Centre for Islamic Enlightening caused a dispute in the local community.
Over 5,000 people signed a petition to oppose the planning application to have the building turned into a Muslim place of worship, while some people against the plans were accused of showing blatant Islamophobia over the issue. Barnet Council has not yet ruled on the planning application.
Despite the tensions, last month members of the new Golders Green Islamic Centre gave blood at the community’s local synagogue as part of Mitzvah Day, a faith-based day of social action promoting good deeds.
Mitzvah Day takes place during Interfaith Week and saw tens of thousands of people across the UK volunteer time to help elderly people, the homeless, refugees and other vulnerable people in their communities.
A spokesperson for action group said 1,200 projects were held in the UK as part of Mitzvah Day this year, with people from eight different faiths taking part including Hindus, Sikhs and Buddhists.
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