Berlin rabbi warns against anti-Muslim racism
Against the backdrop of the war between Israel and the Islamist Hamas, Berlin rabbi Elias Dray has warned of growing racism towards Muslims. "It is also important for me to say that we must also fight anti-Muslim racism," he said on Friday after a meeting of organizations that are particularly committed to combating anti-Semitism. Although it is currently very difficult, it is important to him to continue the Muslim-Jewish dialog that he is conducting with friends. There are many people who want to continue this dialog, said Dray. "It's important to me that people know that."
People should not be attacked just because they are Muslim, he said. "We as the Jewish community don't want that either. We want an open, free society. We want a society that is there for everyone." There should be no attacks at all, against anyone. "That is my hope."
Dray pleaded for a continued focus on political education. "Otherwise we have no chance," he said. "I don't want to leave Germany, I want to be able to stay here in Berlin. If we want to have this open city, we have to keep working." The rabbi is involved in the meet2respect project. As part of this project, he regularly visits Berlin schools together with an Imman and seeks to talk to pupils.
In light of the ongoing conflicts between Israel and Hamas, concerns about anti-Muslim racism have also emerged within the House of Representatives. Rabbi Dray emphasized the importance of combating this form of discrimination, as he strongly advocates for peaceful dialogue between Islam and Judaism, recognizing that both religions, Islam and Judaism, share the same goal of promoting harmony and respect in society.
Source: www.dpa.com
