Middlesex has a thriving staff Inter Faith Network (MDX IFN) which works closely with local faith leaders. This builds on the University’s long history of interfaith dialogue, as 64% of its students identify as ‘BAME’ and its Hendon location is home to the largest Jewish community in Europe. After the escalation of violence in the Middle East in October 2023, 864 antisemitic incidents occurred in Barnet, the highest number of all London boroughs, and 576 Islamophobic incidents. In response, the University and MDX IFN actively engaged with the student body and wider community to support community cohesion. The University facilitated a Together for Humanity peace vigil in January 2024, where more than 200 people listened to speeches from local faith and community leaders. This was followed by private dialogues with student leaders and staff to bridge divides on campus. Their broader programme of interfaith events, reaching over a thousand people in the local area, has included: • Hosting Barnet’s annual Holocaust Memorial Day ceremony. • An annual Big Iftar event, inviting everyone to break their fast together during Ramadan. This served more than 200 people in March 2024. • Hosting Barnet’s official 2023 Diwali celebration to over 200 guests. • In 2022 and 2023, MDX IFN co-organised Peace Walks for the whole community. Bringing local people of different faiths together to walk and explore each other’s places of worship • In November 2023, a national Islamophobia Awareness Month exhibition. Highlighting the positive contributions of Muslims and their challenges in tackling Islamophobia. MDX IFN’ efforts have seen them succeed at the London Faith and Belief Community Awards (2022 & 2023) and the Mitzvah Day Awards 2023