Jewish American Heritage Month

Posted By richards on February 24, 2015

Muslims join hands to form a human shield as they stand outside a synagogue in Oslo February 21, 2015. More than 1,000 people formed what they called a "Ring of Peace," offering symbolic protection for the city's Jewish community and condemning an attack on a synagogue in neighboring Denmark last weekend. REUTERS/Hakon Mosvold Larsen/NTB Scanpix

OSLO, Norway -- More than 1,000 people formed a "ring of peace" Saturday outside Oslo's main synagogue at the initiative of a group of young Muslims.

The event in the Norwegian capital follows a series of attacks against Jews in Europe, including the killings of 17 people in Paris last month and two fatal shootings in Copenhagen, Denmark a week ago.

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One of the eight independent organizers of Saturday's event in Oslo, Hajrah Arshad said the gathering shows "that Islam is about love and unity."

"We want to demonstrate that Jews and Muslims do not hate each other," co-organizer Zeeshan Abdullah told the crowd, standing in a half-circle before the white synagogue. "We do not want individuals to define what Islam is for the rest of us."

"There are many more peace-mongers than warmongers," he added.

Norway's Chief Rabbi Michael Melchior sang the traditional Jewish end of Sabbath song outside the synagogue before the large crowd holding hands.

Co-organizer Hassan Raja said it was the first time he heard the song.

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Hundreds join Muslim "ring of peace" at Oslo synagogue

Category: Synagogue
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