Thirty boys from Jewish, Muslim and Catholic schools came together for the first time to play football at Arsenal Emirates Stadium on Tuesday.
In an initiative to build bridges through football, Faiths Forum for London brought together students aged 13 to 15 from Hasmonean Boys School, Al-Khoei Shia School and Maria Fidelis Catholic School for a day of interfaith sportsmanship at the renowned north London stadium.
“The war in Gaza has deeply impacted all our communities,” said Rabbi Natan Levy, head of operations for Faiths Forum for London. “In fact, the Hasmonean School football team had to shut down this year because of the real risk of antisemitic attacks when playing at other schools. Yet, these schools all recognised that keeping these young boys apart won’t help them learn to live together in the future.”
“Playing football together, asking loads of questions about what makes this bagel kosher, or what time Muslim afternoon prayers need to take place, all this real-life engagement – that’s breaking down barriers and paving a way forward,” Rabbi Levy said.
Faiths Forum for London organised an interfaith football match at the Emirates Stadium to break down barriers between pupils of different religious backgrounds (Photo: Faiths Forum for London)
The boys participated in a two-hour football practice with Arsenal FC coaches before sharing a kosher and halal lunch and taking a tour of the stadium.
They also met South African Jewish footballer Dean Furman, who spoke to them about how to combat hate-crime on and off the pitch. Furman, who has represented the South African national team on 58 occasions and is a player services executive at the Professional Footballers Association (PFA), said he was “proud” to have been involved in the day.
“I believe sport has the power to unite people and break down social barriers. Events such as this interfaith football event will hopefully have a positive impact for everyone involved and work towards a more inclusive future.”
Pupils from a Hasmonean Boys School played football with pupils from a Muslim and a Catholic school at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium (Photo: Faiths Forum for London)
Riz Rehman, equality diversity and inclusion executive at PFA, added: “I am acutely aware of the challenges faced by young people from minority communities in this country and the negative impact media reporting can have on their mindset and actions.
“Interfaith football events like these are a great opportunity to bring together young people from diverse backgrounds and ethnicities to challenge misconceptions, build friendships and raise aspirations through the work of clubs, community groups and the wider football family.”
Aliya Azam, head of science at Al-Sadiq and Al-Zahra Schools and one of the organisers of the event, said: “Playing together is a great way to break down barriers. This day opens the door to a deeper understanding for our students of their Jewish and Christian peers, and that’s vitally important in countering the negative stories out there.”