Progressive Judaism Co-Leads Rabbi Charley Baginsky (CEO of Liberal Judaism) and Rabbi Josh Levy (CEO of the Movement for Reform Judaism) were among the 12 senior Muslim and Jewish denominational leaders who today signed a landmark agreement, The Drumlanrig Accord, which marks a defining moment in interfaith relations in the UK.

Rooted in virtue and ethical principles, the Accord establishes a structured framework for sustained Muslim-Jewish collaboration, fostering deeper understanding and shared responsibility.

The faith leaders were then honoured to present a copy of the Accord to His Majesty King Charles III, at Buckingham Palace, underscoring its profound national and societal significance.

A deep and enduring commitment

Alongside Rabbi Josh Levy and Rabbi Charley Baginsky, the other Jewish signatories to the Accord are Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth Sir Ephraim Mirvis, Masorti Judaism Senior Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg OBE, S&P Sephardi Senior Rabbi Joseph Dweck and Rabbi Moshe Rubin, a leader in Scotland’s Orthodox Jewish community.

The Muslim signatories are Chief Imam Dr Sayed Razawi (Shia), Senior Imam Qari Asim MBE (Sunni, Barelwi), Imam Sheikh Muhammad Ismail DL (Sunni, Deobandi), Head Imam Dr Sheikh Khalifa Ezzat (Sunni), Naushad Jivraj (President of His Highness the Aga Khan National Council for the UK, represented by Aliya Nasser) and His Excellency Kinana Jamaluddin Bhai Sahib (Ismaili, Bohra).

This initiative is not political. It represents a deep and enduring commitment from the UK’s Jewish and Muslim communities to strengthen relationships, promote understanding, and work together for the common good.

The Accord is the outcome of a yearlong series of high-level meetings convened by Imam Dr Sayed Razawi, culminating in a private retreat from 14-16 January at Drumlanrig Castle in Scotland, hosted by the Duke of Buccleuch Richard Scott.

For the first time in UK history, senior representatives from 11 major Muslim and Jewish denominations gathered to shape a future founded on shared values, reconciliation, and social responsibility.

A new framework for engagement

The Accord begins with the recognition that: “Muslim and Jewish communities around the world share a profound spiritual heritage. Both traditions are rooted in monotheism, the sanctity of life and a commitment to justice. Global tensions, particularly in the Middle East, often strain relationships between these communities leading to misunderstandings and fractures at a local level. In times of crisis, these fractures can deepen escalating Islamophobia, Antisemitism and societal polarisation.”

The Accord sets out a new framework for engagement, built on mutual respect, dialogue, and practical collaboration. It champions the principle of disagreeing agreeably, ensuring that differences do not lead to division but instead foster deeper understanding.

It is no symbolic gesture but a call to action committing both communities to working together on practical initiatives that support the most vulnerable, tackling societal inequities such as discrimination, isolation, and poverty.

The presentation of the Accord to His Majesty the King is a reflection of its national importance, as a moment of unity that is underscored by a shared commitment to building lasting relationships between the communities, ensuring that cooperation is embedded in enduring faith institutions that serve the greater good.

This is not the conclusion of a dialogue but the beginning of a long journey—one that will be supported by dedicated initiatives and a deep commitment to ethical action in service of the greater good.

The task that now lies ahead

Speaking after the signing of The Drumlanrig Accord, Rabbi Charley Baginsky said: “The importance of this moment cannot be overstated. The key message of these Accords is that we must learn how to hold a diversity of voices, within our shared religious values, and when we do disagree, to do so agreeably – listening and learning from each other.”

Rabbi Josh Levy added: “In this period of real challenge for Jewish-Muslim relations, these historic Accords model that we can still be in relationship with each other – even at the most difficult times. Our task now is to make these words real by building deep, long-lasting structures nationally, locally, on campuses, and wherever Jews and Muslims interact in the UK.”

The Accord, and its presentation to King Charles III, made headlines with reports from the BBC, Sky News, The Times, Jewish Chronicle, Jewish News, Muslim TV and Hyphen.