The Muslim Jewish Forum of Greater Manchester
Established to develop the cultural and social ties between the Muslim and Jewish communities of Greater Manchester
18 July 2014
The current issue of the Jewish Telegraph contains a story about the Mr Afzal Khan CBE MEP speaking at a rally last Saturday. It has the headline “'Mr Interfaith' is at Israel hate fest”. It can be presently be read at the Jewish Telegraph website https://www.jewishtelegraph.com/ although no URL specific to the story is available.
The story refers to Mr Khan being a co-founder of the Muslim Jewish Forum, which is accurate. Due to this connection, we were approached for a statement which we supplied. Only a partial extract of our statement was printed by the Jewish Telegraph. Accordingly we have chosen to make the full text available below:
Issued on 15 July 2014
As set out in our constitutional documents, the remit of the Muslim Jewish Forum of Greater Manchester is specific to Greater Manchester. However both of us are aware of the potential for overseas events, particularly the current terrible conflict in Israel and Gaza, to impact upon community relations in Greater Manchester. We remind our fellow citizens that wise people in the Middle East, both Jewish and Palestinian, have in the past advised against importing the Middle East conflict into the UK.
We have been informed that last Saturday some pro-Palestinian activists drove through Broughton Park shouting “Heil Hitler” and throwing cans and eggs at Jewish people. If such activity took place, we condemn it without reservation. The Nazi regime which perpetrated the Holocaust was an abomination, and to invoke its memory in this manner is disgusting. Throwing projectiles at one’s fellow citizens is a crime.
In the UK, we have freedom of speech and a legal right to protest. People can demonstrate solidarity with other groups or express points of view that run contrary to our opinions. We call upon all of our fellow citizens to conduct their political debates, whether about domestic or foreign matters, with civility and dignity. Political views, no matter how strongly felt, should never be allowed to disrupt the harmony of our own society.
Jonny Wineberg & Mohammed Amin
Follow @MJF_Manchester
The Muslim Jewish Forum of Greater Manchester
Established to develop the cultural and social ties between the Muslim and Jewish Communities of Greater Manchester