The Muslim-Jewish Conference, which is taking place from August 6 to 13, 2017 in Sarajevo, was officially opened last night and it gathered more than 100 young Jews, Muslims and members of other religions. At the conference were discussed two of the world’s biggest problems, Islamophobia and anti-Semitism, and participants sent messages of peace, tolerance, and survival.
“We are very pleased that Sarajevo is a host to this kind of a conference because it is an ideal city for this kind of event. This is a city where the Jews lived for 450 years and Muslims for a little bit longer. They have lived in peace, helped to each other, and nurtured their faith while respected others. This is a conference where the Jews are discussing two of the world’s biggest problems, anti-Semitism, and Islamophobia. These are the two sides of the same coin,” said the President of the Jewish Community in BiH, Jakob Finci.
Reisu-l-ulema of the Islamic Community of BiH Husein ef. Kavazovic said that religious communities are gathering a number of peoples and send messages with the aim to re-strengthen mutual coexistence and cooperation among these two peoples.
Counselor of the Jewish Community for Culture and Religion in BiH, Eli Tauber, emphasized that the conference is trying to gather both Muslims and Jews in one place in an attempt to overcome some of the current crisis in the world.
“It is especially important that these are young people, those who will be leading this society and the country in the days to come, so that they can properly address the relationship between those two nations, that is, those two religions,” said Tauber.
The Head of the OSCE Mission in BiH Jonathan Moore said that they are sponsoring this event because they recognized the positive role that religious communities in BiH have.
“With these kinds of events, we can show not only to citizens of BiH but to all people in the world, that different religious communities can have a good relationship, common relations, cooperation, and goals,” stated Moore.
Participant of the conference Sarah Ben Cherif from Algeria said that she is participating in the conference as a representative of the Muslim community.
“It is important for me to attend this conference because of the relationship of our community with the Jewish community. My goal is to get rid of prejudices, to build bridges, and to present my experience as a Muslim,” she said.
(Source: I. C./Klix.ba)
