On Tuesday May 24th Nisa-Nashim Manchester welcomed an even mix of around 30 Jewish and Muslim women to the relaxed and welcoming environment of Peter Marcus Hairdressing at Selfridges Manchester. There were two speakers, Vanessa Broder and Sara Saigol, on why women cover their hair from both religious perspectives; this really connected the two communities with the commonality of the reasons behind covering. Samantha Shemim then educated us all in common hair problems and remedies; it is a really positive initiative by Selfridges Manchester to have private facilities available for women that cover.
Nisa-Nashim Co-Chairs Elinor Chohan and Joanne Feldman were very pleased with the event. Elinor said it was, “A truly positive, soul nourishing and uplifting event; British Muslim and Jewish women were interacting comfortably with each other and realising the extent of our commonalities.”
Joanne added, “It was everything we could have wished for … The speakers were both humorous and yet so deep. They touched the hearts of every Muslim and Jewish woman in the room and everyone became connected on a deep spiritual level. So special.”
You can hear more from Elinor and Joanne on Nisa-Nashim by listening to their BBC Radio Manchester interview which took place on Sunday May 22nd. Further coverage can be heard on the BBC’s Asian Network’s Reports.