The rabbi of St Albans Masorti Synagogue, Adam Zagoria-Moffet, has been honoured for his work with a local Muslim lay leader for promoting interfaith understanding in schools over the past few months.

Rabbi Zagoria-Moffet and Akhtar Zaman, of the Islamic Centre of St Albans, received a special award for improving understanding among young people from St Albans Mayor Anthony Rowlands at the Mayor’s Pride Awards this week.

Rabbi Zagoria Moffet said he was “really honoured to receive this recognition of the work that I've been privileged to do here in St Albans with my friend and colleague Akhtar Zaman.

“We have aimed to show school age kids that Jews and Muslims aren't enemies and that even when we disagree we can still discuss and debate with civility and openness. We're hoping to visit many more schools and I am very grateful for the exposure that this award affords our small endeavour.”

Along with St Albans United Synagogue’s Rabbi Daniel Sturgess and Maulana Abdul Muhit of the London Colney Islamic Centre, they contacted headteachers to offer their services to local schools.

In a joint letter, they said, “At this difficult time, we must stand together against all forms of hatred or violence on our streets, in schools, and in our diverse St Albans community.

“Local Muslims and Jews have much in common and there are many personal ties with a deep concern for the welfare of everyone. We must do our utmost to prevent violence and intimidation spreading across our streets, in places of worship, in schools, or in universities.”