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| ISIS spiritual leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi - Is this the face of Islam? |
The headlines have been grim. Europe's Jews face "rising anti-Semitism"; in some countries, many are
leaving in "record numbers." In separate incidents in recent
months, gunmen have targeted Jews and Jewish institutions in Paris and
Copenhagen. Even the Jewish dead have not been left in peace, with reports of graves being desecrated.
But the future of tolerance and multiculturalism in Europe
is far from bleak. The bigotry on view has been carried out by a fringe
minority, cast all the more in the shade by the huge peace marches
and vigils that followed the deadly attacks. And some communities are trying to
build solidarity in their home towns and cities.
One group of Muslims in Norway plans to form a "ring of
peace" around a synagogue in Oslo on Saturday. On a Facebook page promoting the event, the group
explained its motivations. Here's a translated version of the invite:
Islam is about protecting our brothers and sisters, regardless of which religion they belong to. Islam is about rising above hate and never sinking to the same level as the haters. Islam is about defending each other. Muslims want to show that we deeply deplore all types of hatred of Jews, and that we are there to support them. We will therefore create a human ring around the synagogue on Saturday 21 February. Encourage everyone to come!
According to the Times of Israel, Ervin Kohn, a leader of Oslo's small
Jewish community, had agreed to allowing the event on the condition that more
than 30 people show up — a small gathering would make the effort look
"counter-productive," Kohn said. Close to 1,000 people have indicated on Facebook that they will attend.
"We think that after the terrorist attacks in
Copenhagen, it is the perfect time for us Muslims to distance ourselves from
the harassment of Jews that is happening," 17-year-old event organizer
Hajrad Arshad said in an interview with Norwegian television.
"If someone wants to attack the synagogue, they need to
step over us first,"posted another of the event's organizers on Facebook.
IY"H / Inshallah, there will be peace. But under the present circumstances -- as young Arshad recognized -- the burden is on Muslims to show that they want it.
ReplyDeleteagree
DeleteHow do you know which group represents what "real Islam" is?
ReplyDeleteGood question. Hopefully it's this group.
DeleteBy the way, it seems as if the "ring of peace" was nothing more than a publicity stunt to paint Islam in a better light.
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