“We are together and we intend to stay so, despite those who would have us rise up against each other.
We must stand together to say to the whole nation that we refuse all forms of racial discrimination and that we want a France that is more fraternal and just.
As children of Abraham, what can we do, what must we do?
First of all, it seems to me, we must encourage the mutual knowledge of our religions in the context of French secular society. We live in a world of television and internet in which people are contented with fleeting images and don’t take the time to understand and to know each other. We must therefore find ways to help the new generations to truly get to know our common roots as Christians, Jews and Muslims. We may then hope that better knowledge will contribute to pushing back prejudices, stereotypes and hatred.
If we don’t want history to stammer, we must know and acknowledge the past.
It is mindful of this that I wish to invite you Sir, as Rector of the Paris Mosque, to come with me to Auschwitz, together with the leaders from our two organisations. I believe that not only would this be an educational gesture that would speak volumes, but it would also send a signal to those who organise conferences to deny the Holocaust. Of course, our friends from the other religions will be most welcome.
… We must continue to take the risk of dialogue, to be bold in seeking forms that will not only bring together intellectuals but also touch the general public.
Our wager will have been successful when this message of brotherhood is shared in the most diverse corners of France.
… There can be no tolerance for anti-Semitism and for anti-Muslim racism. Muslims stood with us to weep for the appalling murder of Ilan Halimi. We also called our people to express our solidarity in Lyon following the murder of Chaïb Zehaf.
More than ever, our responsibility is to strengthen our ties so that we can make the content of Jewish-Muslim Friendship even stronger.”
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