Muslim, Jewish leaders gather to denounce anti-Semitism, Islamophobia

The Nation

A gathering of Muslim and Jewish leaders took place in the European Parliament on Monday to denounce Anti-Semitism, Islamophobia and all other forms of bigotry. The gathering, organized by Afzal Khan MEP in conjunction with the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding, was called in response to the searing clashes that took place over the Summer between Muslims and Jews in light of the Israeli – Gaza conflict.  The title of the event ‘We refuse to be Enemies’ was the core message of the gathering in the hope of countering the hostility and division caused between the two communities. Muslim participants condemned attacks on synagogues, overt expressions of anti-Semitism and the murderous attack on the Jewish Museum in Brussels last spring perpetrated by a Muslim extremist. They also denounced the Islamic militant group, ISIS, and their acts of aggression against Christian and other minority groups in Iraq, as fundamentally out of line with the teachings of Islam.

Jewish participants condemned the violent response to demonstrations held by vigilante groups by Jewish extremists such as the Jewish Defense League. Both sides declared ‘that the only way forward is through reconciliation between our two communities’.  Afzal Khan MEP, Vice Chair of Security and Defense in the European Parliament, said: ‘It is essential that this message of peace and togetherness by Muslim and Jewish leaders is sent out far and wide to all communities.

Today’s gathering is a true show of courage in the face of bitter aggression, hatred and bigotry’

Other leading participants of the event were:

• Albert Guigui – Chief Rabbi of Brussels and Belgium
• Imam Abdelwadoud Gouraud – “Membre de l’Institut des Hautes Etudes Islamiques”
• Alexander Goldberg – Chaplain of University of Surrey, Consultant and Panelist on BBC
• Sara Jazi – Secretary of the German Muslim Islamic Association
• Izdine Elzir – Palestinian and Chief Imam of Florence, Italy
• Michael Privot – President and Head of ENAR, European Network of Anti-Racism.
• Nadine Larchy – President of the Organization of Jewish Women Belgium
• Arié Folger – Rabbi in Strasbourg and Berlin
• Samia Hathroubi – European Director of the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding

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