Muslim teenagers met Jewish people for the first time ever as they broke down religious barriers.

Pupils from Jewish secondary school JCoSS, in Castlewood Road, New Barnet, asked to learn about the Muslim faith.

The 500 11 to 14-year-olds were so inspired by what they were told that they then said they wanted to meet students from Muslim, Greek Orthodox and Catholic Schools.

Many of the Muslim pupils from Ayesha Muslim Community School, Unity Muslim School and Eden Girls Muslim School had never met Jewish people before.

Raheed Salam, from All Faiths and None (AFAN) came to lessons to tell them more and an interfaith tent was set up in JCoSS’s grounds.

Elaine Robinson, deputy head of Jewish ethos, said: “It brought a tear to my eye watching the two faiths working together and breaking down barriers – just as it should be.

“They are doing such important work. It was an amazing experience – the students absolutely loved it and this was their idea.

“They have been doing work together and listening to Islam and Jewish stories and the similarities between each.” The interfaith tent was originally named the ‘Ramadam Tent’ – but when pupils decided to learn about other religions, it was changed to the ‘Interfaith Tent’.

Pupils from St Andrew the Apostle Greek Orthodox School and Ursuline Catholic School also came down to explore the tent and hear more about other faiths.

They asked eachother why Jewish people have Bat or Bar Mitzvahs and only eat Kosher food, and why Muslim people eat Halal and fast during Ramadam.

Ms Robinson added: “Students at faith schools typically do not have a great deal of opportunity to meet students from other religions and we felt it was important to redress this balance.

“Through the interfaith programme, students engage with eachother and help break down stereotypes and build relationships.”