A scarf-clad observant Jewish woman has teamed up with a hijab-wearing counterpart to tackle strained Muslim-Jewish relations since boycott protests hit the streets of Manchester.

Aimee Banay, a 35-year-old mother-of-two, said the Gaza conflict, which sparked protests in Manchester outside a Jewish shop, has fed Muslims and Jews with "conspiracy theories" about each other.

She and Aisha Mirza have formed a group called "Women of Faith", aimed at creating dialogue. The initiative comes as clashes among boycotters and supporters of the Kedem cosmetics store flared again, threatening to disrupt Christmas shoppers. Police powers banning the demos were lifted weeks ago.

"Protests don't do any favours in moving forward to tackle core fear and stereotypes between us and Muslims," said Mrs Banay, who founded the first Jewish Society at London's School of African and Oriental Studies.

So far, the group has attracted around 40 women to open dialogues over two events, with the latest on Sunday, where Jewish women heard the experiences of an Iraqi refugee.

"Reactions to our events are really varied. I've got a lot of flack from people saying I am being naïve, and people really think there might be some danger in meeting Muslims," she said. "People who come along are saying it is the first time they've met a Jew or Muslim properly."

Aisha, a 37-year-old mother-of-three from Trafford, said: "We've tried to keep the politics out of the room, because we, on ground level, can't fix the politics.

"Everyone comes with a different viewpoint. A lot of bridges have been burnt and we need to be able to rebuild them. It is hard for Jews and Muslims to sit together, there is no denying it. But this group is a big, brave step forward."

Earlier this year, Manchester King David's High School became the first UK Jewish school to twin with a Muslim secondary and work on joint charitable projects.