OSLO:
A week after Muslims had formed a human-linked chain outside a Synagogue in Oslo to show solidarity with the Jewish community, hundreds formed a circle of protection outside a mosque in the city on Saturday to demonstrate unity and peace, the Huffington Post reported.
People gathered around the Central Jamaat-e-Ahl-e-Sunnat mosque in Oslo to show solidarity for Muslims. The event was held as a symbolic “thank you” to Muslims and to form a ‘peace circle’ around an Oslo synagogue last weekend.
The organisers of the event mentioned on Facebook that they wanted the ring to be interpreted as a ring of ‘peace, tolerance and respect for Muslims’, whom they called a vulnerable minority in Norway.
“We want to stand shoulder to shoulder with our Muslim fellow citizens to show disgust towards increasing Muslim hate and xenophobia in society. In this time of fear and polarisation we feel it is more important than ever to stand together and show solidarity. We believe in and will highlight [the] human will to live together in peace and in [respect] for each other regardless of religion [and] ethnicity,” the post read.
The original chain that Muslims formed around an Oslo synagogue took place on Saturday, February 21. It came days after a brutal attack on a free speech event and a synagogue in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Saturday’s event took place as a third suspect linked to that attack was charged for aiding the gunman.