More than 500 women came together at the Baitul Futuh Mosque in Morden for a peace event hosted by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Women’s Association.

In its ninth year, the event on January 20 brought together women from the worlds of faith, politics and civic society to promote a deeper understanding of Islam and other faiths.

The theme of the evening was freedom, faith and liberty ensuring the rights of women.

Two charity cheque presentations of £5,000 each were made to Save the Children and Commonwealth Girls Education Fund.

Speakers at the event were Dr Fariha Khan, president of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Women’s Association UK, Dr Stephanie Berry of the University of Sussex and Jackie Goymour of the Women’s Interfaith Network.

Speaking on the benefits of interfaith dialogue, Jackie Goymour said: “Only by engaging with each other are we able to dismantle those stereotypes and build understanding and trust to replace ignorance with knowledge and prejudice with friendship.”

The Mayor of Croydon, Councillor Toni Letts and Mayor of Sutton Jean Crossby were also guests at the event.

Cllr Letts said: “I think the mosque here is very, very fortunate to have women who care, educated articulate women who are passionate not just about women and children, not just about their own communities but all of the communities around the world.”

Cllr Crossby said: “It is an absolutely wonderful afternoon and evening here today. I am so grateful that I have been invited to this amazing conference and the welcome that I have from here, it has been very enlightening.”

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Women’s Association UK is a national Muslim Women’s group established in 1922 with more than 10,000 members across Britain.