London Friends of Standing Together and LICS: a partnership in solidarity
Activists from the London branch of UK Friends of Standing Together report on a growing partnership with the London Islamic Cultural Society (LICS) in Haringey.
For several months, the London branch of UK Friends of Standing Together has been running weekly stalls at Friday prayers at the London Islamic Cultural Society (LICS, Wightman Road mosque). We are building solidarity against the toxic polarisation so many abhor. How did this partnership develop?
Following the racist riots in August 2024, LICS and their remarkable president, Sister Bibi Khan MBE, welcomed 400 people to the mosque, bringing together those who want to live in a society based on solidarity and care. Bibi is at the heart of cross-community work with many faiths, schools, the NHS, housing and the police. So when we needed a venue for a public FoST event in September 2024, we went to Bibi. Her response was warm and positive, and our partnership began.
Bibi said, “London Islamic Cultural Society committed to hosting this event to highlight the inspiring, dangerous humanitarian work being delivered by Standing Together, working with Jewish and Palestinian families in Israel. Peace, justice and community cohesion are vital for any future.”
Itamar Avneri and Manar Qaedan, Jewish and Palestinian Standing Together leaders based in Israel, spoke via Zoom, and Lana Ikelan, a Palestinian activist then working for Standing Together, addressed the meeting in person. Activists from London FoST worked with volunteers from LICS, who supplied delicious refreshments and a most welcoming team, to organise the meeting.
It was a great success, with over 100 attendees and time for discussion. The audience was especially moved when Itamar described the meetings Standing Together held in Israel within days of the 7 October massacre and the IDF’s immediate attack on Gaza, where Israeli Jews and Palestinians sat and wept together at their unbearable losses.
Feedback from the event was powerful:
“An inspiring evening in such a beautiful, welcoming and warm space…a very special mosque and Bibi. What an exceptional woman. So many people! A great, exciting turnout. I was so moved and deeply, deeply impressed by courageous, wise Itamar and brave Manar. Lana’s story too was moving and interesting. My table had very thoughtful discussions and different views to offer. I loved the evening. It was a huge success and wonderfully well organised. Important and highly memorable.”
“I’ve probably been to thousands of events about this region, but last night’s was unique on so many levels: context, content, participation, attendance, depth.”
Others spoke of the need for Standing Together’s message to be heard in schools, youth groups and universities. A student wrote of her relief at being in an inclusive space after experiencing campus life where protests were binary with no nuance or kindness.
“Standing Together is the future, really”.
One participant said he had no idea there were peace activists in Israel! There were plenty of comments about how much we have in common, and the importance of human stories and conversations, including difficult ones.
Standing Together leaders Uri Weltmann and Sondos Saleh also met with Bibi, the LICS Imam Abdul Kadir, and members of the mosque during a visit in October 2024. Uri and Sondos talked about the movement’s work; attendees from LICS shared how the war on Gaza is discussed in the community.
Bibi highlighted the importance of these meetings: “What was important about bringing the brother and sister from Palestine was it was an opportunity to have firsthand experience of living there. But more importantly it was about showing that with you all in FoST, we’re not different.
“I think I made a conscious effort to bring that to my community. Because I didn’t like what was happening, we had lots of groups that were splitting… Unless we sit down and have a dialogue and talk, we’re never going to understand. Never.
“I think I was blessed by having a father who passed on his belief in tolerance. Coming from Guyana with a tradition of inclusion, we always had these multi faith connections and so we didn’t see each other as a Muslim or a Jew or Christian, we see each other as individuals and that’s why I could come to you and my colleague in the synagogue and say, ‘I’m feeling really sad and upset because of what I’m seeing [in the news]…’ and they don’t hate me for it. I’m surrounded by a group of people who understand. I do have people who just see it as black and white. I can’t make them see it any different but I can, by my actions, stand up for what I believe. And I think Standing Together gave me that strength as well because it brought a lot of people in my view.”
Bibi suggested FoST have a stall at the mosque to talk to people as they left Friday prayers. At the end of his sermon when we’re there, the imam says, “Our friends from Standing Together are outside, please do stop and have a chat with them.” We enjoy constructive conversations and exchanges of views, talking to each other when it can be very hard indeed. But, like Bibi, we hope that hearing each other is key to change and unity around certain values. She, like FoST, feels it’s going very well.
FoST activists volunteer at the stall for many reasons. All comment on the friendly, respectful response we receive from the vast majority of worshippers:
“I look forward to it. It’s an opportunity to be identified as an individual and other than ‘other’. Too many people are exhausted and lacking empathy. There is an urgent need to listen to each other.”
“I have lived ten minutes away from the mosque for over 20 years but had never been there. The stall gives me an opportunity to connect with people I would otherwise be unlikely to meet. It makes me feel I’m doing something constructive to build relationships in the community at a time when they are under strain.”
A Jewish FoST activist commented:
“I feel that as people walk through the gates into the mosque, they relax, smile and look more at ease. They can take off the invisible protective armour they may feel they have to wear in the outside world with the rise of Islamophobia. I recognise it as a Jewish person who also puts on and takes off my invisible protective armour in certain places or situations.”
When Netanyahu’s government broke the ceasefire and began its murderous assault on Gaza again in mid-March 2025, LICS cancelled their community Iftar, saying it was unconscionable to celebrate while so many lives were being destroyed. We asked Bibi whether we should pause having a presence at the mosque but she said, “It’s fine as long as the banners are about sharing and stopping the slaughter. In fact when I do the prayers, I would want you there. You are all family. We love and protect you all like we would our family. There is no difference. I thank you for being our family.”
In May 2025, FoST organised a speaker tour of Standing Together leaders Amin Amara and Uri Weltmann. They spoke to audiences all over the country including at an event in Parliament, with 120 members of the public. We were delighted Bibi could be there. She thanked Uri and Amin for all they do and received huge applause after describing how important her community’s relationship with FoST is and how it connects with her role as chair of the Multi-Faith Forum Haringey and chair of the North London Council of Mosques. She has set up a young people’s interfaith forum which fits with her work focused on the future. Uri Weltmann told Bibi, “The partnership with you is so important and valuable for us.”
FoST is not a faith-based, or interfaith, organisation. However, we want to amplify Standing Together’s message, of joint struggle between Jews and Palestinians towards peace and equality, throughout our own society, especially in spaces where people are already invested in the region and care about its future. A movement in support of Standing Together can also help forge bonds of solidarity at home, at a time when Islamophobia, antisemitism, and other forms of bigotry are rising.
We would like to thank Bibi and her team at LICS. Their commitment, openness and humanity has been the catalyst for us to bring together members of the mosque and London FoST in partnership and solidarity, which is precious.
If you would like to help on the stall at, LICS email us at ukfriendsofstandingtogether@gmail.com. For information about the London Islamic Cultural Society, click here. For more on Bibi Khan, click here.
Posted 27 May 2025