Muslims all over the world are being labelled: as terrorists, as violators of human rights and as having no respect for women. This is due to the horrific acts that are conducted in the name of Islam; such as the Paris attacks of the 6th of January, the killings in Copenhagen on the 14th of February, and the recent beheading of twenty Christians (mostly Egyptian).
The Muslim community of Oslo refused to take it and not do anything, and on Saturday, with more than 100 people watching, they stood around Oslo’s synagogue holding hands and protecting the jews during Shabbat, in a gesture meant to symbolise peace and unity between the Jewish and the Muslim communities.
The organisers created the Facebook page just a week ago, thinking they would not attract more than 30 people. Within a week, 2000 people had said they would attend the demonstration. The organisers said that this snowballing of support represented that ” there are more peace lovers than war lovers”, they claimed this was a way to show that peace had won.
When the people stood in front of the church, everyone cheered and clapped the gesture. The people in the synagogue came out and recited Shabbat prayers in front of the crowd, with a very emotional crowd watching.
Undoubtedly, there is still a lot to tackle, but this gesture was a true message of hope and unity. These young Norwegians sent a worldwide message that it is possible to tollerate and protect one another, even as Jewish and Muslims.
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- Rabi during Shabbat ((Photo: Virginia Vigliar)
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- The crowd awaiting jews to exit the synagogue ((Photo: Virginia Vigliar))
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- Flowers for the victims of the Copenhagen attacks ((Photo: Virginia Vigliar))
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- An overview of the scene in front of Oslo synagogue (Photo: Virginia Vigliar)
