Norway Muslims Encircle Synagogue to Support Jews
OSLO—A group of young Muslims embraced the Jewish synagogue in Oslo in a “ring of peace” Saturday, protesting anti-Semitism and denouncing violence after terrorist attacks targeting Jews in neighboring Denmark and in France, in what Jewish leaders described as a unique and heartwarming event.
“I feel gratitude and hope,” said Ervin Kohn, head of the Jewish congregation in Oslo. “This sends a strong signal to our little congregation, that we’re not alone.” About a thousand people showed up at the event, which was heavily protected by police. The symbolic human chain around the synagogue was formed by mostly younger Muslims, holding hands and expressing their support of Jews in speeches, and the crowd applauded and cheered the initiative.
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Jews are a small minority in Norway, counting only 1,300 people out of a population of 5.17 million. The initiative to form a human protective ring around the synagogue was taken by a small group of young Muslims last week, and quickly gained support, including a supporting event in Norway’s second city, Bergen. “We Muslims face the same fear as you [Jews], and we will face it together with you,” Hajrah Ashrad, 17, another of the organizers, told the crowd outside the synagogue. “We hope we can contribute to reduce radicalization in our own group by showing that the majority of young Muslims support Jewish rights.”
The unusual event also comes as traditionally unarmed Norwegian police are carrying guns on a temporary basis, amid warnings from Norway’s Police Security Service that a terrorist attack is likely within the coming year. In July, the security service warned that Syrian foreign fighters were planning an imminent attack against unknown targets in Norway, scrambling armed police officers to guard potential targets such as airports and major transport hubs. Police said potential attacks may include solo terrorists or small groups attacking symbolic targets, a pattern similar to the attacks in Paris and Copenhagen.
“Allahu akbar, Allah is great! Our common God is everywhere in the world, but most of all God is where rings are formed and bridges are built between people,” Jewish Rabbi Michael Melchior told the crowd. “That’s where God wants to be. That’s where the future of humanity is secured. Thank you all for coming here tonight.”
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The Oslo synagogue was hit by 11 bullets in September 2006, and a well-known Islamist was later convicted of vandalism, but cleared of terrorism charges. After the recent Copenhagen attack, the city of Oslo decided to close Bergstien Street, housing one of Norway’s two synagogues, to all car traffic for at least two years.
http://www.wsj.com/articles/norway-muslims-encircle-synagogue-to-support-jews-1424549778
= new reply since forum marked as read
...there have been at least 7 threads about this event, which may explain no comments. None of the others were heavy with comments either, and most were quite supportive, except for one post which of course reminded us that while not all Muslims are responsible for the atrocities committed by other Muslims, for Jews...ISRAEL! 