The Lewisham Islamic Centre does absolutely brilliant work for the Lewisham community and I am proud to support them in their work.

They provide a range of religious and social services which has proved invaluable for the local community and this has never been truer than over the last few years as we have faced the pandemic.

I look forward to continuing to work with them in 2022 and onwards to help the community that the centre supports.

The Lewisham Islamic Centre has supported so many members of our community, including during the COVID-19 pandemic, and they have made our borough proud. From holding soup kitchens for the vulnerable and homeless, to a successful pop-up COVID-19 vaccine clinic, to hosting inclusive Eid in the Park events, they are a source of guidance, community and friendship for many. I am grateful to all the volunteers for all their support and look forward to continuing to working closely with them in the future as our community recovers from the pandemic.

I am a Quaker rather than a Muslim but live nearby and much value the varied work LIC does in our neighbourhood. I also have friends in the community and work with Imam Shakeel in the Lewisham Interfaith Forum.

These are valued friends, colleagues and spiritual partners.

I write to send you greetings as 2021 comes to an end and also to thank you all for the friendship and cooperation between our faith communities through this time of the Covid pandemic.

I am grateful for the close ties between our congregations and especially with Imam Shakeel.

I have been at St Mary’s church in Lewisham for nine years and greatly value the friendship I share with Imam Shakeel and others at LIC.

I also strongly believe our work together in serving the wider community of Lewisham brings great benefit to everyone and show how we actively live out our faith in showing God’s love and mercy to the world, in acts of charity and in building strong community relations with everyone.

Imam Shakeel plays a major part in leading this shared work and I look forward in 2022 to sharing more of our activities together, in shared visits and celebrations and in a return of the Interfaith Peace Walk in the summer.

Every blessing for a healthy and peaceful year ahead.

I've very much enjoyed getting to know Imam Shakeel Begg through the Lewisham Inter faith forum meetings. I'm impressed by the many community networks LIC has established through the years and Shakeel's care and support for people of all ages who live in the surrounding area.

At the beginning of July my Muslim Chaplain colleague and I had a very enjoyable visit to LIC. We were warmly welcomed and offered hospitality and a tour. As we walked around, meeting and chatting to lots of people, we could see the vital importance Imam Shakeel and LIC play in the lives of so many different people. Amongst the different topics we shared in conversation, I came away with a new perspective and deeper understanding of the needs of young people. I look forward to a continuing relationship between LIC and the Goldsmiths Multi faith Chaplaincy team.