The Muslim Jewish Forum of Greater Manchester
Established to develop the cultural and social ties between the Muslim and Jewish communities of Greater Manchester
10 August 2026
Adam Day is organised each year on 10 August by the UK arm of the Azeemia Foundation. The purpose of the event is to bring people together to reflect on mankind's common descent from Adam. The 2026 event was the 24th year that an event has taken place in Manchester to commemorate Adam Day.
Our Co-Chair Cllr Heather Fletcher was one of the speakers. Heather has consented to our publishing her speech below.
Good evening everyone. I am delighted to be invited to speak at the 24th Adam Day. I have attended 20 Adam Days in total, and it is always one of the highlights of my year.
I firmly believe in diversity. Last year I was privileged to be appointed Salford's first ever Anglo-Irish Jewish female Mayor of Salford. I think that illustrated Salford is a city of diverse people and not afraid to have a person with diverse cultures in her blood in a top job!
During my Mayoral year, which I concluded at the end of May, I completed around 300 engagements.
I would say that my favourite engagements were the community events I attended citywide. To name a few, I attended a Chinese fashion show, opened an Indian restaurant, attended Nigerian and Ukrainian Christmas parties, and a Moldovan new year party!
On a more serious note, I attended memorial services for the Rwandan and Bosnian Genocides. I also joined the Greek Orthodox Church congregation to celebrate their Independence Day service. In addition, I was very proud to be at the head of the Irish parade in the Mayoral Car! I also attended Black History Month events and several iftars and many Jewish community events.
Finally, I attended many Christmas carol services at various churches and ate far too many mince pies! From attending these events I learnt so much about the many different communities in Salford and this fully endorsed my opinion that diversity enriches society.
I have been involved with the Muslim Jewish Forum of Greater Manchester since its inception 21 years ago and have been the Co -hair for the past 11 years. Our Forum has now organised 182 varied events ranging from picnics, iftars, and kosher meals to serious lawyers panel events. We have brought together Muslim people, Jewish people and others who otherwise may not have met. Our organisation is a clear example of "unity in diversity."
I believe that it is ignorance which breeds intolerance but "mixing together" as we do at Muslim Jewish Forum events helps people understand each other and create friendships. We know our cultures/faiths have much in common but there are also differences. We should embrace both our similarities and our differences.
In conclusion I would like to mention the Jewish concept of mishpocha which means family.
In a broader sense it includes friends as well as family. I believe we are part of a huge extended family which is the human family of all Adam's descendants. Families are there for each other in both good times and bad times. So, everyone here tonight is part of a mishpocha, namely Adam's family.
As my dad used to say, "everyone is exactly the same, just a bit different!" As a family we should practice "unity in diversity," help each other face difficult challenges, accept each other's differences, celebrate with each other, and unite together to make a happier, more peaceful society.
Thank you.
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The Muslim Jewish Forum of Greater Manchester
Established to develop the cultural and social ties between the Muslim and Jewish Communities of Greater Manchester