The first Cambridge University Students’ Union (CUSU) Anti Racism Campaign Awards have been presented to three current undergraduates whose individual efforts are making a valuable contribution to a tolerant inter-faith environment within the University and beyond.

The awards were presented by Terry Ndee, Associate Director Trusts and Foundations at Cambridge University Development Office and member of the University’s Race Equality Advisory Group, at a ceremony held in Keynes Hall, King’s College.

In his speech, Mr Ndee underlined the importance of tolerance and understanding in matters of religious belief and spoke of the University’s determination to foster good relations between different faith groups.

The CUSU Award for Promoting Diversity went to Zishan Jiwa, a second year clinical medicine student at Sidney Sussex College. Zishan, who was brought up in Peterborough, has developed a number of initiatives both within the University and within local communities.

He has been commended for his strong support for the work of Cambridge University Faiths Forum (CUFF) in promoting understanding that goes beyond mere “brittle” tolerance, including the development of information packs which set out the principles of ten major faiths.

He said: “As I grew up, I became passionate about sharing with others the beauty I saw in my religion, Islam. This drew me to engage in dialogue between people from varied religious and cultural backgrounds and is how some of my deepest friendships were forged.

“It doesn't take long, once we step past our socially contrived boundaries, before people start to connect on a very human level and realise that we are really not so different. The diversity within our cultures, languages and personalities are, in fact, what give us ‘colour’ and are really a treasure to be explored and celebrated.”

Zishan has also organised a leaflet of multicultural vegetarian recipes, based on a culinary event attended by almost 100 students from different faiths and partially funded by Cambridge City Council. It will be published later this year with all proceeds going to charity.

CUSU Awards for Promoting Understanding were presented to both Jonathan Gilmour, a third year theology student at St John’s College, and Ahmed Al-Khaja, a third year economics student at Jesus College.

Jonathan Gilmour’s interest in Judaism led him to stand as Secretary and later Inter-faith Officer for the Jewish Society. A practising Christian, Jonathan has served as a link between the Jewish and Christian student communities and has encouraged dynamic dialogue between the two groups, helping members to identify shared and distinct beliefs.

He said: “While I am not Jewish, I have a deep love for the Jewish people and Judaism, so I thought I should get involved.”

In 2006 and 2007 Ahmed, who is an international student from Bahrain, organised Cambridge Multifaith Christmas events in Great St Mary’s Church, with speakers from the Christian and Muslim faiths. The events, which were well attended, were held in collaboration with CUFF and the University Chaplaincy. It is hoped that this will become a regular feature of the calendar.

Ahmed, who is former Secretary of Cambridge University Islamic Society, said: “CUFF is doing a great job at macro level and we all have a responsibility at the micro level to do what we can to promote better understanding between the different faiths represented in Cambridge.”

The CUSU Anti-Racism Campaign Awards were established by A Alim Marvasti, second year student of clinical medicine, who was CUSU Anti-Racism Officer in 2006-2007, in conjunction with Kaunain Nurani, current CUSU Anti-Racism Officer and second year English student (Newnham College) and Junior Juma Penge, current CUSU Black Students Officer and second year English student (Homerton College).

Anyone interested in a copy of Zishan’s vegetarian recipe leaflet should email him on zj209@cam.ac.uk

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