Muslim speaks from bimah at interfaith Iftar celebration

The rabbi added that, while a few people had "problems" with a Muslim speaking from the bimah, "we're perfectly proud of it. The call also included a request for all the children who wanted to come and see what was happening to do so."

West London Synagogue's Iftar attracted representatives from local churches and mosques among a turnout of around 70. Senior Rabbi Baroness Julia Neuberger was "really proud of my community for engaging so wholeheartedly with this interfaith initiative.

"The Big Iftar strikes a chord with West London Synagogue's approach as a warm, welcoming community, ready to learn from people of other faiths and none. We look forward to developing relations across the faiths into the future."

Rabbi Goldsmith also said he wanted the event - arranged by the Alyth Interfaith Group - to be a catalyst for the synagogue's cross-denominational efforts. "It's a bit like a family getting together only at a simchah. We feel there's much more we have to do. Over the year, we already have a plan for a number of interesting people to come to the shul.

"We're hoping to deepen engagement and understanding of what's actually going on in the Muslim community and how Islam relates to Judaism - and Judaism to Islam - over the course of at least a year."