Nisa-Nashim: only friendship keeps us strong

Nisa-Nashim is a Muslim Jewish women’s network that connects Jewish and Muslim communities and works towards positive social change. We have women all around the UK, but primarily in London where we are based.

Our project focussed on the transformative personal relationships the charity has built over several years and how we are determined to maintain them during this time of unparalleled antisemitism and Islamophobia relating to the conflict in Israel/Palestine which ignited in October 2023. Our activities have taken place through the autumn and winter of 2023 to 2024.   

Despite feeling desperately sad, anxious and conflicted as the most recent conflict in Israel and Gaza flared up, Nisa-Nashim refused to accept that we had to fall into despair, distrust or hate. Instead, we relied on our founding principles and chose action across a range of different activities to keep our bonds strong, and make a ‘strong community’: 

• we helped others in our communities through social action projects – giving back to local communities across London, including through the annual Mitzvah Day initiative 
• we turned to the friendships that our network had built over many years 
• in more reflective moments, our faith and prayer gave us comfort – including innovative online and in-person prayer vigils where we could reflect together  
• we elevated the voices of women in places of power, and provided female leadership when it was most needed – at events hosted by The King, political leaders and others  
• and despite constant headlines that told us otherwise, we used media platforms to show that Jewish and Muslim communities could continue to live and thrive side by side – on Channel 5, BBC News, Talk TV and more.  

Please watch our video to get a flavour of how we have turned to positive actions during the most challenging time we can remember.