A rare opportunity for Muslims, Jews, and Christians to break bread

At a time when faith communities around the world are divided by conflict, an evening in Durban offered a powerful reminder of another possibility. Jewish, Muslim, and Christian leaders came together for a shared Iftar, the evening meal served at sunset to break the daily fast during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. It was hosted by the Denis Hurley Centre and the Grey Street Mosque, highlighting the strength of interfaith cooperation in the city. 

Alana Pugh-Jones Baranov, president of the South African Jewish Board of Deputies KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Council and country director of HIAS South Africa, attended the event on 8 March, representing the Jewish community and showing that, despite everything happening in the world, interfaith relations are still possible. 

“It was a small and informal gathering that highlighted the connections between our various religious traditions and the need for us to learn more about each other and respect and embrace both our differences and our common values,” said Pugh-Jones Baranov. “So much unites us, and it’s important to understand each other and find common ground on issues of importance to all people in KwaZulu-Natal.” 

The event was co-hosted by the Denis Hurley Centre, a place where people of all faiths have been coming together to serve the poor and marginalised in central Durban, in the spirit of the late Archbishop Hurley, for the past 11 years. 

“We are proud of the fact that we receive support, through funding, volunteering, and donations of goods – from all the major religious traditions,” said Dr Raymond Perrier, president of the Denis Hurley Centre. 

He explained that the centre has a good relationship with various Jewish organisations around KZN – including the local branch of the Union of Jewish Women, the Durban Jewish Club, and the Durban Holocaust and Genocide Centre – so it was a no-brainer that the Jewish community should be invited to the Iftar. 

“The Jewish presence at the interfaith Iftar was especially precious to us since the conflicts in the Middle East have made it hard sometimes for members of Muslim and Jewish communities to share space. We remain a place where people can come together to focus on what unites us and not what divides us,” said Perrier. 

Pugh-Jones Baranov explained that she felt it was important to have Jewish representation at the event to show our solidarity and friendship with both Muslim and Christian communities during their holy times of Ramadan and Lent. 

“Although the KZN Jewish community is small, we are deeply connected to the social fabric of this beautiful city and we contribute meaningfully to both its past and present, adding to its unique diversity,” she said. “I was able to share a few words with friends present about this period in the Jewish calendar, following our celebration of Purim and as we prepare for the festival of our liberation, Pesach, and I was able to learn more about Ramadan to bring back to our community. We need to ensure that our community interacts with our fellow Durbanites so that others can learn about our Jewish customs and traditions, while we also learn more about other faith groups and practices.” 

The leader of the Grey Street Mosque, the largest mosque in the southern hemisphere, AV Mohamed, shared a few words about Ramadan and the history of the partnership between his mosque and the Denis Hurley Centre, two important buildings and two different communities in Durban that are neighbours. Perrier spoke about the work his centre does and its friendship with the Muslim, Hindu, and Jewish communities in Durban. 

Reverend John Witcombe of Coventry Cathedral in the United Kingdom spoke at the event about the history of Coventry Cathedral, which was bombed during World War II and has risen from the ashes as a symbol of resilience and interfaith cooperation. 

Pugh-Jones Baranov said, “Private prayer was done in silence, and the muezzin’s call that broke the fast on Sunday then saw us all share water and dates. A Muslim  prayer was held, and then a meal was enjoyed together by all present.” 

She explained that those present spoke about a world in crisis, with conflicts raging in the Middle East and elsewhere, but how each person of faith could make a difference in the challenges in their own cities and communities. 

“Although conflict rages in different parts of the world, each of us can focus on being the best Muslim, Christian, Hindu, and Jew possible and work to make a difference positively in our own families, communities, and cities,” she said. “We can each tackle the pressing challenges and crises in our own backyard, whether it be fighting crime and corruption, combatting xenophobia or gender-based violence, and addressing homelessness and the stark inequalities in South Africa. World events can feel huge and insurmountable, but we can each make a difference and live out tikkun olam in our own lives and in our own ways. Faith can create division, but it can also foster mutual respect and bring people together.”