A notable event took place on February 11, 2025, offering a symbol of hope for Jewish and Muslim relations and signifying a crucial step in building a future of mutual respect, peace, and understanding.

Six Jewish and six Muslim leaders gathered to sign the Drumlanrig Accord, an agreement designed to foster sustained collaboration and deeper understanding between Jews and Muslims. The negotiations were held at the historic Drumlanrig Castle in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland. Rick Scott – the 10^th Duke of Buccleuch, the 12^th Duke of Queensberry, and one of the largest landowners in Scotland – hosted the discussions that produced the Accord. The presence of Scottish Secretary Ian Murray at Drumlanrig Castle further emphasized the significance of the agreement.

The Drumlanrig Accord was signed during a ceremony at Spencer House, an important architectural landmark that has witnessed centuries of British history. After the signing the Jewish and Muslim leaders walked over to Buckingham Palace, where King Charles III gave them his endorsement.

The agreement was born from a yearlong series of high-level meetings between UK Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, the principle authority for the United Synagogue (the largest synagogue body in the UK), and Chief Imam Dr. Sayed Razawi, the leader of the Scottish branch of the Ahlul Bayt Society (Shia Islam).

The Jewish denominations represented in the Accord were Orthodox, Spanish and Portuguese Sephardi, Masorti, Reform, and Liberal Judaism. Participants included – Rabbi Josh Levy, head of the Movement for Reform Judaism; Rabbi Charley Baginsky, head of Liberal Judaism; Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg, senior Masorti rabbi; Rabbi Joseph Dweck, senior Sephardi rabbi; and Rabbi Moshe Rubin, a leader in Scotland’s Orthodox Jewish community, along with Chief Rabbi Mirvis.

The Muslim denominations represented in the Accord were the Barelvi, Deobandi, and Shafi movements with Sunni Islam and the Ismaili and Bohras branches of Shia Islam, as a well as general Shia Islam. Within the Muslim movements, those who attended included Senior Imam Qari Asim of the Sunni Barelvi Movement; Imam Sheikh Muhammad Ismail of the Sunni Deobandi movement; Imam Dr. Sheikh Khalifa Ezzat, the Sunni Chief Imam and Head of Religious Affairs at London Central Mosque; Aliya Nasser, representing the Ismaili Aga Khan UK National Council; Kinana Jamaluddin Bhai Sahib of the Bohra-Ismailis; and Chief Imam Razawi.

Four fundamental principles of reconciliation are outlined in the Drumlanrig Accord – unity in diversity, the use of sacred texts as a guide, a commitment to non-harm, and recognizing the impact of global crises to reaffirm a shared dedication to peace. These principles, grounded in the shared ethical and moral values of Judaism and Islam, create a strong foundation for cooperation and trust.

Rick Sopher, the convener of the Qur’an and Bible Reading Group at the Woolf Institute (Cambridge University), suggested that the Accords will counter “Qur’anophobia” and promote a greater appreciation of Islamic teachings within the Jewish community. He also hopes that the Accord amplifies the voices of Jewish and Muslim leaders calling for reconciliation, understanding, and solidarity.

The Reading Group, whose views are reflected in the Accord, emphasized that the Qur’an does not refute the core principles outlined in the Torah. Specifically, the group points to the importance of Qur’an 3:64, which calls on people to come together on common ground, and Qur’an 49:13, which emphasizes the divine wisdom in creating diverse tribes and nations for the purpose of mutual understanding.

These Qur’anic passages resonate with similar themes in the Torah regarding the unity of humankind and the importance of ethical behavior. They underscore the potential for finding common ground between seemingly disparate traditions and emphasizing shared values related to compassion, justice, and peace.

The Drumlanrig Accord represents more than just a symbolic gesture. It is a concrete step towards building lasting relationships between Jews and Muslims. While challenges undoubtedly remain, this historic agreement offers a compelling vision for a future where Jewish and Muslim communities can coexist in peace and understanding.