Muslims in Norway demonstrate against violent extremism

(Vatican Radio) About 2,000 young adult Muslims in Norway formed a human chain around a synagogue in Oslo, in a demonstration against violent extremism in their country and elsewhere. It was the same synagogue, which in 2006, was attacked by an Islamic extremist.

The peaceful gathering 21 February was in response to the attack in Denmark, six days earlier, by a lone gunman on a free-speech conference in Copenhagen. The gunman later attacked a synagogue. He killed two and injured five, before being shot and killed by police.  

The initiative in Oslo was launched by young Muslims. About 1,000 other people gathered in support.

In an AFP report, organizer Atif Jamil said they wanted to show that they stand by the Jewish community “and want to protect them.”

“We don’t want extremists in Norway, who think they can do whatever they want against common people,” he was quoted as saying. “The idea is to tell the terrorists and the extremists that if they want to hurt our brothers and sisters, they first have to go by us.”

The local Jewish community welcomed the initiative as a strong sign of solidarity and an effort to defuse the tensions between the two communities.

The Jewish community in Norway is among the smallest in Europe, at about 1,000. The Muslim community numbers about 200,000.