Difference between revisions of "Julie Siddiqi"

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{{short description|British interfaith activist and co-founder of Nisa-Nashim}}
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{{Infobox person
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| name            = Julie Siddiqi
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| birth_date      =
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| birth_place      =
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| occupation      = Interfaith activist, community organiser
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| spouse          = [[Naved Siddiqi]]
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| known_for        = Co-founder of [[Nisa-Nashim]]
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| website          =
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}}
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'''Julie Siddiqi''' is a British interfaith activist who served as Executive Director of the [[Islamic Society of Britain]] from 2010 to 2014 and co-founded [[Nisa-Nashim]], a Jewish-Muslim women's network dedicated to normalising Zionism within British Muslim communities.<ref name="NisaNashimAbout">Nisa-Nashim, [https://www.nisanashim.com/about/who-we-are Who we are] ''Nisa-Nashim'', accessed 15 February 2026.</ref> Converted to Islam in 1995, she has built a career promoting dialogue between Muslims, Jews, and Christians while participating in government-backed counter-extremism initiatives that critics argue suppress anti-Zionist voices.<ref name="ElectronicIntifada2022">Electronic Intifada, [https://electronicintifada.net/content/interfaith-group-lies-about-israel-lobby-connections/35281 Interfaith group lies about Israel lobby connections] ''Electronic Intifada'', 16 June 2022.</ref> Her work, including leadership roles in multifaith projects and advisory positions on anti-Muslim hatred, aligns with state efforts to frame criticism of the Zionist regime as divisive, consistent with broader counter-extremism strategies that discriminate against protected anti-Zionist beliefs under Miller v University of Bristol (2024).<ref name="AlMayadeen2023">Al Mayadeen, [https://english.almayadeen.net/articles/analysis/fodip-and-british-state-counter-extremism-strategy FODIP and the British government's 'counter-extremism' strategy] ''Al Mayadeen'', 23 February 2023.</ref>
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Siddiqi has engaged extensively in interfaith platforms, speaking at Christian events like Greenbelt Festival and Jewish gatherings such as [[Limmud]], while coordinating initiatives like the Big Iftar and Sadaqa Day.<ref name="GreenbeltArchived">Greenbelt Festival, [https://web.archive.org/web/20211012000000/https://www.greenbelt.org.uk/speakers/julie-siddiqi Julie Siddiqi] ''Greenbelt Festival'', archived 12 October 2021.</ref> Her involvement in government-linked bodies, including the National Muslim Women’s Advisory Group and the Anti-Muslim Hatred Working Group, positions her within networks that prioritise cohesion over accountability for the Zionist colony's actions.<ref name="HuffPostArchived">HuffPost, [https://web.archive.org/web/20211013000000/https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/author/julie-siddiqi/ Julie Siddiqi] ''HuffPost'', archived 13 October 2021.</ref>
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== Early life and conversion ==
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Julie Siddiqi converted to Islam in 1995 and has since positioned herself as a voice for British Muslim identity in interfaith contexts.<ref name="Srebrenica2014">Remembering Srebrenica, [https://srebrenica.org.uk/lessons-from-srebrenica/bearing-witness/julie-siddiqi Julie Siddiqi] ''Remembering Srebrenica'', 17 November 2014.</ref> Married to [[Naved Siddiqi]], who serves as trustee of [[New Horizons in British Islam]] and the [[Holocaust Memorial Day Trust]], her family connections reinforce engagement with Holocaust remembrance and interfaith projects.<ref name="HMDTrustArchived">Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, [https://web.archive.org/web/20211013000000/https://hmd.org.uk/trustees Trustees] ''Holocaust Memorial Day Trust'', archived 13 October 2021.</ref>
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== Career ==
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Siddiqi rose to prominence as Executive Director of the [[Islamic Society of Britain]] from 2010 to 2014, where she coordinated peace-building efforts following the 2013 murder of Lee Rigby and organised a 2014 delegation to Srebrenica to commemorate the genocide.<ref name="EngagingIssues2019">Engaging Issues, [https://www.engagingissues.org.uk/speaker.php?season=201920&speaker=2 Julie Siddiqi] ''Engaging Issues'', 29 October 2019.</ref> She briefed the Ministry of Defence on British armed operations in Iraq in 2014 and participated in government advisory groups.<ref name="Alarabiya2014">Al Arabiya News, [https://web.archive.org/web/20211012000000/https://english.alarabiya.net/News/world/2014/10/10/UK-defense-ministry-briefs-Muslim-community-leaders-on-Iraq-mission UK defense ministry briefs Muslim community leaders on Iraq mission] ''Al Arabiya News'', 10 October 2014, archived 12 October 2021.</ref>
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Since 2015, she has founded and directed [[Sadaqa Day]], a Muslim-led social action initiative, and advised [[Mitzvah Day]].<ref name="HopeNotHateArchived">Hope Not Hate, [https://web.archive.org/web/20211012000000/https://hopenothate.org.uk/2018/01/10/nisa-nashim/ Nisa-Nashim] ''Hope Not Hate'', archived 12 October 2021.</ref> Siddiqi co-founded [[Nisa-Nashim]] in 2015 with [[Laura Marks]], serving as co-chair and director until November 2020.<ref name="CompaniesHouseNisa">Companies House, [https://web.archive.org/web/20211013000000/https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/10394535/officers Nisa-Nashim officers] ''Companies House'', archived 13 October 2021.</ref> The network, incubated by the [[Board of Deputies of British Jews]], promotes Jewish-Muslim dialogue that critics argue normalises Zionism by fostering personal ties while sidelining Palestinian solidarity.<ref name="ElectronicIntifada2022" />
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== Interfaith and counter-extremism involvement ==
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Siddiqi participated in the [[Contextualising Islam in Britain II]] project led by Professor Yasir Suleiman at the University of Cambridge.<ref name="CIBReport2012">University of Cambridge, [https://web.archive.org/web/20140323044028/http://www.cis.cam.ac.uk/assets/media/cib2-complete-report.pdf Contextualising Islam in Britain II] ''HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Centre of Islamic Studies'', January 2012.</ref> She served as an independent member of the [[Narratives of Conversion]] initiative, faculty for the Cambridge Coexist Leadership Programme in 2013, and alumni of Windsor Leadership's Women in Leadership programme in 2015.<ref name="HuffPostArchived" />
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She sits on the national [[Anti-Muslim Hatred Working Group]] as an independent member and chairs her local Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education.<ref name="GreenbeltArchived" /> Siddiqi has spoken at the Greenbelt Festival, [[Limmud]], and British Armed Forces receptions, while mentoring for the Prince of Wales's [[Mosaic]] charity.<ref name="GreenbeltArchived" /> In 2019, she co-facilitated a session at [[Limmud]] with Judy Silkoff of the [[Board of Deputies of British Jews]] titled “Hands off our headscarves.”<ref name="BoDTwitter2019">Board of Deputies of British Jews, [https://web.archive.org/web/20211013000000/https://twitter.com/BoardofDeputies/status/1210381234567890123 Tweet] ''Twitter'', 26 December 2019, archived 13 October 2021.</ref>
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Her activities in interfaith spaces, particularly through [[Nisa-Nashim]], have been critiqued for aligning with Zionist lobbying efforts that undermine criticism of the settler colony while operating within Prevent-linked counter-extremism ecosystems.<ref name="ElectronicIntifada2022" />
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== Personal life ==
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Julie Siddiqi is married to [[Naved Siddiqi]], who holds trusteeships in [[New Horizons in British Islam]] and the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust.<ref name="NewHorizonsArchived">Charity Commission, [https://web.archive.org/web/20211013000000/https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/1154811/trustees New Horizons in British Islam trustees] ''Charity Commission'', archived 13 October 2021.</ref>
  
 
==Affiliations==
 
==Affiliations==
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*[[Julie Siddiqi]] Director (27 Sept 2016 - 3 Nov 2020)  <ref>  Companies House Nisa-Nashim: Officers. archived on 13 October 2021 at https://archive.ph/wip/3X7aE </ref>  (co-chair) <ref>  Julie Siddiqi Profile, HuffPost, Archived on 13 October 2021 at https://archive.ph/wip/1ALaC. </ref>
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** [[Contextualising Islam in Britain II project]] - participant <ref> CONTEXTUALISING ISLAM IN BRITAIN Project Leader Professor Yasir Suleiman Director, HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Centre of Islamic Studies, Cambridge UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE in Association with the UNIVERSITIES OF EXEtER AND WESTMINSTER January 2012.</ref>
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** Independent member, [[Narratives of Conversion]] - faculty member for the Cambridge Coexist Leadership Programme 2013 - alumni of the Women in Leadership, from Windsor Leadership, 2015 <ref>  Julie Siddiqi Profile, HuffPost, Archived on 13 October 2021 at https://archive.ph/wip/1ALaC. </ref>
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** Advisor for [[Mitzvah Day]], Founder and Director of [[Sadaqa Day]] (since 2015), <ref> Nisa- Nashim, Hope not Hate, archived on 12 October 2021 at https://archive.ph/A3Vz4/again?url=https://hopenothate.org.uk/2018/01/10/nisa-nashim/ </ref>
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** Coordinated the [[Big Iftar]] during Ramadan 2014 “culminating in the first ever Iftar reception at Lambeth Palace hosted by Archbishop Justin Welby.” <ref> Julie Siddiqi, Greenbelt Festival, archived on 12 October 2021 at https://archive.ph/wip/vpexH </ref>
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*[[Contextualising Islam in Britain II project]] - participant<ref name="report">[https://web.archive.org/web/20140323044028/http://www.cis.cam.ac.uk/assets/media/cib2-complete-report.pdf CONTEXTUALISING ISLAM IN BRITAIN] Project Leader Professor Yasir Suleiman Director, [[HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Centre of Islamic Studies]], Cambridge UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE in Association with the UNIVERSITIES OF EXEtER AND WESTMINSTER January 2012.</ref>
 
*[[Contextualising Islam in Britain II project]] - participant<ref name="report">[https://web.archive.org/web/20140323044028/http://www.cis.cam.ac.uk/assets/media/cib2-complete-report.pdf CONTEXTUALISING ISLAM IN BRITAIN] Project Leader Professor Yasir Suleiman Director, [[HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Centre of Islamic Studies]], Cambridge UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE in Association with the UNIVERSITIES OF EXEtER AND WESTMINSTER January 2012.</ref>
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*Advisor for [[Mitzvah Day]]
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*Patron for [[Muju]], a Jewish/Muslim theatre company
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*Executive Director of the [[Islamic Society of Britain]] from 2010-2014
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* member of the Government’s [[National Muslim Women's Advisory Group]]
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*mentor for the Prince of Wales Charity, [[Mosaic]]
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*[[Anti-Muslim Hatred Working Group]] - independent member
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*[[Narratives of Conversion]]
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*faculty member for the [[Cambridge Coexist Leadership Programme]] 2013
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*alumni of the [[Women in Leadership]], from [[Windsor Leadership]], 2015
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*Founder and Director of [[Sadaqa Day]], a one day Muslim-led focus on social action, which was launched in March 2015
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*co-chair of [[Nisa-Nashim]]<ref>HuffPost [https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/author/julie-siddiqi/ Julie Siddiqi].  Accessed 21 April 2020.</ref>
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Siddiqi was the executive director of the [[Islamic Society of Britain]] from 2010-2014 and has spoken at the Christian festival, Greenbelt and the Jewish festival, [[Limmud]], and at receptions hosted by the British Armed Forces. <ref> Julie Siddiqi, Greenbelt Festival, archived on 12 October 2021 at https://archive.ph/wip/vpexH </ref>  Siddiqi also visited the Ministry of Defence to be briefed about British armed operations in Iraq in 2014. <ref>  Staff Writer, UK defense ministry briefs Muslim community leaders on Iraq mission, Alarabiya News, 10 October 2014, archived on 12 October 2021 at https://archive.ph/8Elup </ref> Previously, Siddiqi was a member of the government’s [[National Muslim Women’s Advisory Group]] and mentor for the Prince of Wales charity, Mosaic. Siddiqi is chair of her local Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education and also sits on the national [[Anti-Muslim Hatred Working Group]] as an independent member. <ref> Julie Siddiqi, Greenbelt Festival, archived on 12 October 2021 at https://archive.ph/wip/vpexH </ref>
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In December 2019, Siddiqi and Nisa-Nashim ran a session with [[Judy Silkoff]], Director of Operations at the [[Board of Deputies of British Jews]] at the [[Limmud]] conference titled “Hands off our headscarves.” <ref>Board of Deputies of British Jews, Twitter Account, Tweet: 11:24 AM, 26 Dec 2019,  archived on 12 October 2021 at https://archive.ph/wip/lpPiK </ref>
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==Related==
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*[[Naved Siddiqi]] - husband, [[New Horizons in British Islam]] <ref> New Horizons for British Islam, Charity Commission, archived on 13 October 2021 at https://archive.ph/wip/Y06my  </ref> and Holocaust Memorial Day Trust. <ref> Trustees, Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, archived on 13 October 2021 at https://archive.ph/nBLLd </ref>
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== See also ==
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[[Nisa-Nashim]]
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[[Islamic Society of Britain]]
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[[Board of Deputies of British Jews]]
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[[Laura Marks]]
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== External links ==
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* [https://www.nisanashim.com/about/who-we-are Nisa-Nashim profile]
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[[Category:British Muslim activists]]
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[[Category:Interfaith activists]]
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[[Category:Living people]]
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[[Category:Women in Islam]]
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==Notes==
 
==Notes==
 
<references/>
 
<references/>

Latest revision as of 12:17, 15 February 2026

British interfaith activist and co-founder of Nisa-Nashim


-
Julie Siddiqi
Born
Nationality
Residence
Occupation Interfaith activist, community organiser
Known for Co-founder of Nisa-Nashim
Parents
Spouse(s) Naved Siddiqi
Children
Sibling(s)
Website


Julie Siddiqi is a British interfaith activist who served as Executive Director of the Islamic Society of Britain from 2010 to 2014 and co-founded Nisa-Nashim, a Jewish-Muslim women's network dedicated to normalising Zionism within British Muslim communities.[1] Converted to Islam in 1995, she has built a career promoting dialogue between Muslims, Jews, and Christians while participating in government-backed counter-extremism initiatives that critics argue suppress anti-Zionist voices.[2] Her work, including leadership roles in multifaith projects and advisory positions on anti-Muslim hatred, aligns with state efforts to frame criticism of the Zionist regime as divisive, consistent with broader counter-extremism strategies that discriminate against protected anti-Zionist beliefs under Miller v University of Bristol (2024).[3]

Siddiqi has engaged extensively in interfaith platforms, speaking at Christian events like Greenbelt Festival and Jewish gatherings such as Limmud, while coordinating initiatives like the Big Iftar and Sadaqa Day.[4] Her involvement in government-linked bodies, including the National Muslim Women’s Advisory Group and the Anti-Muslim Hatred Working Group, positions her within networks that prioritise cohesion over accountability for the Zionist colony's actions.[5]

Early life and conversion

Julie Siddiqi converted to Islam in 1995 and has since positioned herself as a voice for British Muslim identity in interfaith contexts.[6] Married to Naved Siddiqi, who serves as trustee of New Horizons in British Islam and the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, her family connections reinforce engagement with Holocaust remembrance and interfaith projects.[7]

Career

Siddiqi rose to prominence as Executive Director of the Islamic Society of Britain from 2010 to 2014, where she coordinated peace-building efforts following the 2013 murder of Lee Rigby and organised a 2014 delegation to Srebrenica to commemorate the genocide.[8] She briefed the Ministry of Defence on British armed operations in Iraq in 2014 and participated in government advisory groups.[9]

Since 2015, she has founded and directed Sadaqa Day, a Muslim-led social action initiative, and advised Mitzvah Day.[10] Siddiqi co-founded Nisa-Nashim in 2015 with Laura Marks, serving as co-chair and director until November 2020.[11] The network, incubated by the Board of Deputies of British Jews, promotes Jewish-Muslim dialogue that critics argue normalises Zionism by fostering personal ties while sidelining Palestinian solidarity.[2]

Interfaith and counter-extremism involvement

Siddiqi participated in the Contextualising Islam in Britain II project led by Professor Yasir Suleiman at the University of Cambridge.[12] She served as an independent member of the Narratives of Conversion initiative, faculty for the Cambridge Coexist Leadership Programme in 2013, and alumni of Windsor Leadership's Women in Leadership programme in 2015.[5]

She sits on the national Anti-Muslim Hatred Working Group as an independent member and chairs her local Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education.[4] Siddiqi has spoken at the Greenbelt Festival, Limmud, and British Armed Forces receptions, while mentoring for the Prince of Wales's Mosaic charity.[4] In 2019, she co-facilitated a session at Limmud with Judy Silkoff of the Board of Deputies of British Jews titled “Hands off our headscarves.”[13]

Her activities in interfaith spaces, particularly through Nisa-Nashim, have been critiqued for aligning with Zionist lobbying efforts that undermine criticism of the settler colony while operating within Prevent-linked counter-extremism ecosystems.[2]

Personal life

Julie Siddiqi is married to Naved Siddiqi, who holds trusteeships in New Horizons in British Islam and the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust.[14]

Affiliations

Siddiqi was the executive director of the Islamic Society of Britain from 2010-2014 and has spoken at the Christian festival, Greenbelt and the Jewish festival, Limmud, and at receptions hosted by the British Armed Forces. [23] Siddiqi also visited the Ministry of Defence to be briefed about British armed operations in Iraq in 2014. [24] Previously, Siddiqi was a member of the government’s National Muslim Women’s Advisory Group and mentor for the Prince of Wales charity, Mosaic. Siddiqi is chair of her local Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education and also sits on the national Anti-Muslim Hatred Working Group as an independent member. [25]

In December 2019, Siddiqi and Nisa-Nashim ran a session with Judy Silkoff, Director of Operations at the Board of Deputies of British Jews at the Limmud conference titled “Hands off our headscarves.” [26]

Related

See also

Nisa-Nashim Islamic Society of Britain Board of Deputies of British Jews Laura Marks


External links


Notes

  1. ↑ Nisa-Nashim, Who we are Nisa-Nashim, accessed 15 February 2026.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Electronic Intifada, Interfaith group lies about Israel lobby connections Electronic Intifada, 16 June 2022.
  3. ↑ Al Mayadeen, FODIP and the British government's 'counter-extremism' strategy Al Mayadeen, 23 February 2023.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Greenbelt Festival, Julie Siddiqi Greenbelt Festival, archived 12 October 2021.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 HuffPost, Julie Siddiqi HuffPost, archived 13 October 2021.
  6. ↑ Remembering Srebrenica, Julie Siddiqi Remembering Srebrenica, 17 November 2014.
  7. ↑ Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, Trustees Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, archived 13 October 2021.
  8. ↑ Engaging Issues, Julie Siddiqi Engaging Issues, 29 October 2019.
  9. ↑ Al Arabiya News, UK defense ministry briefs Muslim community leaders on Iraq mission Al Arabiya News, 10 October 2014, archived 12 October 2021.
  10. ↑ Hope Not Hate, Nisa-Nashim Hope Not Hate, archived 12 October 2021.
  11. ↑ Companies House, Nisa-Nashim officers Companies House, archived 13 October 2021.
  12. ↑ University of Cambridge, Contextualising Islam in Britain II HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Centre of Islamic Studies, January 2012.
  13. ↑ Board of Deputies of British Jews, Tweet Twitter, 26 December 2019, archived 13 October 2021.
  14. ↑ Charity Commission, New Horizons in British Islam trustees Charity Commission, archived 13 October 2021.
  15. ↑ Companies House Nisa-Nashim: Officers. archived on 13 October 2021 at https://archive.ph/wip/3X7aE
  16. ↑ Julie Siddiqi Profile, HuffPost, Archived on 13 October 2021 at https://archive.ph/wip/1ALaC.
  17. ↑ CONTEXTUALISING ISLAM IN BRITAIN Project Leader Professor Yasir Suleiman Director, HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Centre of Islamic Studies, Cambridge UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE in Association with the UNIVERSITIES OF EXEtER AND WESTMINSTER January 2012.
  18. ↑ Julie Siddiqi Profile, HuffPost, Archived on 13 October 2021 at https://archive.ph/wip/1ALaC.
  19. ↑ Nisa- Nashim, Hope not Hate, archived on 12 October 2021 at https://archive.ph/A3Vz4/again?url=https://hopenothate.org.uk/2018/01/10/nisa-nashim/
  20. ↑ Julie Siddiqi, Greenbelt Festival, archived on 12 October 2021 at https://archive.ph/wip/vpexH
  21. ↑ CONTEXTUALISING ISLAM IN BRITAIN Project Leader Professor Yasir Suleiman Director, HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Centre of Islamic Studies, Cambridge UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE in Association with the UNIVERSITIES OF EXEtER AND WESTMINSTER January 2012.
  22. ↑ HuffPost Julie Siddiqi. Accessed 21 April 2020.
  23. ↑ Julie Siddiqi, Greenbelt Festival, archived on 12 October 2021 at https://archive.ph/wip/vpexH
  24. ↑ Staff Writer, UK defense ministry briefs Muslim community leaders on Iraq mission, Alarabiya News, 10 October 2014, archived on 12 October 2021 at https://archive.ph/8Elup
  25. ↑ Julie Siddiqi, Greenbelt Festival, archived on 12 October 2021 at https://archive.ph/wip/vpexH
  26. ↑ Board of Deputies of British Jews, Twitter Account, Tweet: 11:24 AM, 26 Dec 2019, archived on 12 October 2021 at https://archive.ph/wip/lpPiK
  27. ↑ New Horizons for British Islam, Charity Commission, archived on 13 October 2021 at https://archive.ph/wip/Y06my
  28. ↑ Trustees, Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, archived on 13 October 2021 at https://archive.ph/nBLLd
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