The British Indian Jewish Association held an event in Canons Park in north London to celebrate the planting of trees, as part of the Queen’s Green Canopy.
Seven trees were planted at the start of the year, one for each of the decades of the Queen’s 70-year reign. Originally conceived as part of an official project to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, it turned into a tribute to the late Queen.
The event featured short speeches by the Mayor of Harrow, Cllr Janet Mote as well as representatives from BIJA and Friends of Canons Park. It coincided with the first day of the COP-27 Summit in Egypt, where world leaders have gathered to address climate change.
Cllr Janet Mote, Mayor of Harrow, said:
‘We are delighted that BIJA has planted trees in Harrow in tribute to Her Late Majesty The Queen, in the year of her Platinum Jubilee & Green Canopy Project, as we sadly remember her passing. It is wonderful to see faith groups working together in Harrow; as well as enhancing our environment, this initiative also strengthens the fabric of society.”
Austen Garth, BIJA committee member who managed the project, said:
“We were particularly pleased to plant the trees in an area with significant Jewish and Indian populations. Special thanks to the Friends of Canons Park and Ezra Davies who guided us in all aspects of planting the trees. Doing this on the first day of COP-27 was extra resonant. We hope that the trees will grow and flourish, and be an enduring symbol of the friendship between different communities.”
Zaki Cooper and Dr Peter Chadha, Co-Chairs of BIJA, said:
“Planting trees is a positive and natural thing for us to do. BIJA brings together British Indians and British Jews in a spirit of friendship, underpinned by the belief that our relationship should have a positive impact on wider society. Social action is a key strand of our work so we decided to plant trees as part of the Queen’s Green Canopy initiative. The trees symbolise how the Indian and Jewish communities are rooted in our identities, and also how we grow upwards and outwards as active and proud British citizens.”
