The Muslim Jewish Forum of Greater Manchester
Established to develop the cultural and social ties between the Muslim and Jewish communities of Greater Manchester
2 November 2025
For over 20 years, we have brought Muslims and Jews together to learn more about what they have in common, and to get to know each other socially and become friends.
The horrific attack at Heaton Park Synagogue on 2 October showed the continuing importance of this work. The way that Muslims, Jews, and all other religious communities came together to condemn the attack also demonstrates how much has been achieved by political and religious leadership, including our Forum, to make Greater Manchester more cohesive.
On Sunday 2 November, we held our first event since 2 October. This was the Forum's annual “Loose Lawyers” event, where two Jewish and two Muslim lawyers are given one topic to discuss. This year’s topic was: “Where there is a will there is a way — implementing Muslim and Jewish inheritance rules under English law.”
Approximately 30 people attended.
The panel was:
The event was opened by the Forum’s Muslim Co-Chair, Mohammed Amin MBE, and chaired by the Forum’s Jewish Co-Chair, Cllr Heather Fletcher. She is the current Ceremonial Mayor of Salford and chaired the event wearing her chain of office.
The lawyers explained that in Islam several verses of the Quran set out a mandatory division of 2/3 of a deceased person’s estate between his or her relatives in specified proportions. The other 1/3 can be left as the deceased wishes, provided he or she makes a will.
Making a will is regarded as a duty within Islam. However, to be legally effective, any will must comply with the requirements of English law. In particular, when preparing the will any dependant’s possible claim under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 needs to be taken into account.
The lawyers also explained that in Judaism inheritance is strictly only to sons, not daughters. However, over the years rabbis have developed methods which enable people to leave inheritances to daughters (as well as sons) without violating Jewish religious teachings.
The panel’s short presentations were followed by a question-and-answer session, with many intriguing questions being posed by the audience.
Forum Executive Committee member Anne Isaac, who is Muslim, closed the proceedings by giving the vote of thanks. After that the participants and speakers were able to chat over hot drinks and delicious kosher cream cakes from Brackmans Bakery.
Dr Fiona Maynard, who is Jewish, said:
“As ever, this Loose Lawyers event was both stimulating and informative. It was fascinating to hear how both religions implement inheritance law in the 21st century.”
Séamus Martin, who is Muslim, said:
“It’s a fascinating topic – how Muslims and Jews can shoehorn their faith-based legacy requirements into the legal framework of a society that has an ethos often at odds, if not actively hostile, to the values and religious legal codes of people of faith.”
The photo below shows the panel seated. From left to right:
The other is a group photo including those participants who agreed to be photographed.
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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