 |
| Muslim imams praying at the home of Israeli ambassador |
(Scroll down for video) A group of religious Muslims from Israel visited France and prayed inside the home of the Israeli ambassador to France, according to video uploaded to the internet.
The delegation of imams visiting France, was sponsored by the Embassy of Israel. The Muslims were meeting with leaders of the Jewish and Muslim communities, and held prayers in mosques across the country.
The imams were sent to France by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior. The imams that made up the delegation were religious leaders from Haifa, Jadeidi, Majd al-Kurum, Jaffa and Rahat.
The visit served as a reciprocal visit to French imams who visited Israel last year, led by the imam of Drancy, Hassen Chalghoumi. He has been active for several years in promoting cooperation between Jews and Muslims, and in promoting the integration of Muslims into French society. Because of their unconventional activities, Chalghoumi receives frequent death threats and is protected by a French police unit for personal safety.
The visit of the imams included meetings with Muslim leaders in Paris, Toulouse and Marseille, a meeting at the Foreign Ministry, a reception at the French National Assembly, and a meeting with leaders of the Jewish communities in several cities. They also met with representatives of Muslim communities and participated in prayer services at mosques around the country.
During the visit, imams joined their French counterparts at the home of French Ambassador Yossi Gal, and prayed for peace. This was the first time a Muslim prayer was held at the ambassador's house.
A video that showed the prayer was published online and created a storm of controversy in the Muslim community in France. A website associated with the Muslim Brotherhood attacked the religious leaders who visiting the home of the Israeli ambassador. On the other hand, another imam that had been against Chalghoumi activities was so moved by the encounter that he set out to visit the Israeli ambassador.
“It is very nice to see that there are some Muslim religious leaders who are still working hard to promote peace between Muslims and Jews despite the action of extremeist who seek to end all diolouge and progress between the Muslim and Jewish coimmunities,” Joe Price, 40, a peace acitivist in Paris, France told YourJewishNews.com after seeing the video of the prayer session at the home of the Israeli ambassador.
Israeli Ambassador Yossi Gal in Paris said during a reception at his residence: "This is a meeting between the leaders of the Muslim community in Israel, and French imams, who are loyal to their country, citizens who are proud of France, and promote a worldview that is based on the values of peace, patience and understanding. It's our duty to continue to work together against extremism, violence and hatred."Mobile video not loading? Click here to view