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Jerusalem Interfaith Forum Honors Sheik Aasi
Written by Dr. Nurit Hirschfeld, UPF-Israel Secretary General
Thursday, December 11, 2014
Acre, Israel - The Jerusalem Interfaith Forum met in December for a special occasion, in support of the Imam Sheik Samir Aasi.
On the day after the Nov. 18, 2014, massacre in a Jerusalem synagogue, Sheik Samir Aasi arrived, along with leaders from various faith traditions, to express support and sympathy for the afflicted community. Several hours later, acid was smeared on his car, delivering a threatening message. The media headlines proclaimed: "Hate Crime Suspected in Acre: Acid Spilled on the Car of an Imam Who Sympathized with the Massacre Victims." (See UPF-Israel report “Sheik Samir Aasi—A True Ambassador for Peace,” Nov. 20, 2014.)
On Dec. 11, 2014, the Jerusalem Interfaith Forum members arrived at the El-Jazar Mosque in Acre from near and far in order to express support for Sheik Aasi for his courage and determination to act in ways of peace.
Rabbi Edgar Nof hugged the Sheik and called him "my brother." The forum members expressed their worries about the growing extremism and the cruel violence that have been performed in the name of religions.
Both Sheik Aasi and Rabbi Nof agreed that the voice of religious leaders who are devoted to the values of peace and friendship should be heard. Sheik Aasi noted that against the voices of evil, the voice of God must be heard loud and clear. Moreover, words of good should be followed by actions and many peaceful activities.
The meeting concluded by calling on the forum members to visit governors and municipal leaders in order to offer them interfaith educational projects based on interreligious understanding, brotherhood and the value of living for the sake of others.
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