On Sunday 4th August 2019, an interfaith cricket event took place at the Verulamium Park. The event was very well attended by members of the Muslim, Christian and Jewish communities, further helped by the good weather. The pleasant afternoon of cricket was supplemented with other activities, including an impromptu game of rounders for the young children, and sharing of food by the communities.
The four cricket teams comprising two Muslim, one Christian and one Jewish, played T20 format matches with the winners playing in the final and the losers contesting for 3rd place. The matches were keenly contested but played in the true spirit of the event. Following the first round matches, the final was to be contested by the Muslim A and the Christian teams. Once again it was an evenly matched game, and difficult to predict the outcome till the end, eventually the Muslim A team came out victors by the narrowest of margins.
People made the afternoon even more enjoyable by bringing and sharing some delicious food, which was enjoyed by everyone.
The Cricket event was organised as part of the interfaith activities that take place throughout the year; the next event is an interfaith dinner in September. Akhtar Zaman (Chairman of the Islamic Centre), Rabbi Adam Zagoria-Moffet (Masorti Synagogue), and Canon Tony Hurle (St. Pauls Church) are the lead organisers of these events, but the success of the events is due to the many people who assist, support and contribute.
Akhtar Zaman DL said “I was very pleased to be a part of this thoroughly enjoyable and successful event, with participation from many diverse people across the three faiths. People are already talking about next year’s event.”
Tony Hurle said: “it was a really good event and deepened and extended the relationships and friendships between the three faith communities.”
