Chief Rabbi Presents Landmark Drumlanrig Accords to His Majesty The King
In a historic moment for interfaith relations, Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis joined leading Muslim and Jewish faith leaders at Buckingham Palace to present the Drumlanrig Accords to His Majesty The King.
This ground breaking agreement, drafted at a two day retreat at Drumlanrig Castle in Scotland, and signed at Spencer House in London, seeks to reset the relationship between the Jewish and Muslim communities, fostering a renewed commitment to dialogue, understanding, and cooperation.
Alongside senior Muslim leaders, including Chief Imam Sayed Abbas Razawi of Scotland, and other prominent faith figures, the Chief Rabbi emphasised the importance of taking meaningful steps towards reconciliation, particularly in the wake of heightened tensions since 7th October 2023.
Following the gathering at Buckingham Palace, the Chief Rabbi reflected on the significance of the Accords: “At a time of deep division and uncertainty, these Accords represent a bold step towards rebuilding trust. They do not ignore our differences, but they reaffirm our shared humanity and our shared future. If we allow only the voices of division to shape our world, then we surrender to a bleak future. This initiative is about choosing a different path.”
The Accords, which have been widely praised as a milestone in Muslim-Jewish engagement, set out key commitments to combat antisemitism and Islamophobia, protect places of worship, and promote education and interfaith cooperation. Crucially, they acknowledge the pain caused by events in the Middle East while advocating for a framework that enables dialogue and mutual respect, even in times of disagreement.
His Majesty The King, who has long championed interfaith dialogue and community cohesion, welcomed the initiative, commending the signatories for their commitment to fostering peace and understanding. The Chief Rabbi expressed his gratitude for the King’s support, noting the significance of having the Accords formally presented at the Palace as a symbol of national encouragement for interfaith solidarity.
The full text of the Accords can be read here.
As implementation efforts begin, the Chief Rabbi remains committed to ensuring that these commitments translate into tangible actions that foster lasting change.
