The sanctity of human life transcends that of all the holy places. It is more
important than Mecca, the Vatican, or Jerusalem, a group of prominent imams in
France told President Shimon Peres on the eve of the commemoration of the first
anniversary of the terrorist attack on a Jewish school in Toulouse.
Imams
from France’s most prominent mosques were part of a Muslim delegation that also
included representatives of the Egyptian, African, Moroccan and Senegalese
communities in France. In the course of discussion, the imams expressed
appreciation for the manner in which Israel permits freedom of worship for
people of all faiths. They also voiced support for Israel’s fight against
terror.
Referring to all the victims of last year’s attack on the
Toulouse school, the imams said that Muslims, no less than Jews, are under the
constant threat from extremist elements on a mission of murder that does not
stop short of snuffing out the lives of children.
“We are here,” they
said, “to tell our French and Jewish brethren that we are all together in our
opposition to terror and in our desire for peace.”
Peres was deeply moved
by the words of the Muslim leaders and told them how much he appreciated their
visit and their sentiments.
“I see you as brothers on the path to an
important and effective dialogue,” Peres said.