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.
