From Gael Karen…

In late April Naomi Johnson was presented with the Pearl of the Islands (PIF) Public Service Award 2022 at the annual PIF Iftar dinner.

The Award recognises Naomi’s interfaith work, particularly between Jews and Muslims.

The Pearl of the Islands Foundation is a charitable Turkish Muslim organisation. Their mission is to foster understanding and acceptance between people of diverse communities through meaningful engagement and intercultural events. Their vision – a harmonious, enlightened, and socially cohesive Aotearoa New Zealand.

Naomi has been a member of the Pearl of the Islands Advisory Board for the past five years. She also assists the Management of the two Little Pearl Childcare centres when required drawing on her Human Resources background.

Naomi’s relationship with the PIF began with a chance meeting between women representatives of the PIF and her elderly mother. A relationship grew; Naomi attended a number of PIF events, including a PIF educational tour to Turkey. She was enriched by the experience and discovered just how many similarities there are between Judaism and Islam.

“This led to a heightened interest in interfaith and I was subsequently invited to be one of two Jewish representatives on the Auckland Interfaith council. I was impressed with the openness of PIF and their strong desire to engage with me as a Jewish person.”

Naomi attended many Iftar dinners and even co-hosted two at Beth Shalom with PIF.

In presenting her with the award the PIF acknowledged her as an “exceptional recipient” recognising her support, promotion and or initiation of “intercultural and/or interfaith dialogue in the public domain, to help build a cohesive society through engagement, policies and/or political action.”

Naomi said:  “I am honoured by this award. My involvement with you all has been a truly wonderful experience leading me in new directions and giving me the chance to make a difference in Jewish/Muslim relations in NZ. I look forward to doing more together in the coming years.”

[PHOTO: Pauline Cornwell, co-chair of the PIF Advisory Board, and Naomi Johnson]