Norway's Muslims form protective human ring around synagogue

[Jefferson23]

2/21/2015



(Reuters) - More than 1000 Muslims formed a human shield around Oslo's synagogue on Saturday, offering symbolic protection for the city's Jewish community and condemning an attack on a synagogue in neighboring Denmark last weekend.

Chanting "No to anti-Semitism, no to Islamophobia," Norway's Muslims formed what they called a ring of peace a week after Omar Abdel Hamid El-Hussein, a Danish-born son of Palestinian immigrants, killed two people at a synagogue and an event promoting free speech in Copenhagen last weekend.

"Humanity is one and we are here to demonstrate that," Zeeshan Abdullah, one of the protest's organizers told a crowd of Muslim immigrants and ethnic Norwegians who filled the small street around Oslo's only functioning synagogue.

"There are many more peace mongers than warmongers," Abdullah said as organizers and Jewish community leaders stood side by side. "There’s still hope for humanity, for peace and love, across religious differences and backgrounds."

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/02/21/us-norway-muslims-jews-idUSKBN0LP0AG20150221

[KitSileya]

1. I thought this was wonderful.

I live in Norway (tho' not in Oslo) and am heartened by this. We need to get better at supporting our Jewish population - we don't have a good track record (too many Norwegians collaborated with the Nazis to send Norwegian Jews to concentration camps.). So I am glad when things like this happen.

[salin]

2. Agreed!

I love this event, and the message it sends.

(I also love Oslo - was there this past June).

I have a number of relatives who live in and around Oslo.

If you don't mind my being nosey- where in Norway do you live? My grandparents were from Bergen and Roros.

Regards,

salin

[Jefferson23]

3. +1. n/t

[tblue37]

4. K and fifth R. nt