Thousands of Muslims, Jews and Christians marched together in Brussels on Sunday, March 15, sending a message of interfaith unity and promoting peace in the Belgian community.
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“We must all do something to stop this radicalisation of the young… be it through the indoctrination by certain imams, indoctrination by priests or indoctrination in prisons, because most of the time it comes from prisons,” Noureddine Smaili, President of Belgium’s Muslim Executive was quoted by Euro News.
“So we must all try to ensure that the supervision of the young is better,” he added.
Smaili was speaking as five thousands from different faith groups marched in Brussels to send an out-loud message of peace.
Walking hand in hand through Brussels streets, marchers denounced the rise of violence, particularly in the Middle East as well as recent attacks in Paris, Copenhagen and other Western cities.
The march offered a symbol of unity between all faiths against violence committed by some groups in the name of religion.
“It’s very important to show solidarity and to convey a message to all countries, especially the Arab countries, so that living together is practiced all over the world,” Simon Najm who is President of the support committee for Eastern Christians said.
The President of Belgium’s Jewish Central Council, Julien Klener shared a similar opinion.
“If there has been a need for this march it’s because there is a climate of anxiety. I know holding this rally will not solve much, but at least it’s a sign …. to show that despite our concerns there is hope,” Klener said.
The march came one day after around 1000 Muslims, Jews and Christians formed a human chain around Copenhagen synagogue, where a volunteer security guard was killed last month.
A separate Danish Muslim group held a peace vigil in Copenhagen’s City Hall Square on February 27th that was attended by an estimated 300 people.
Earlier in February, a Muslim human shield was formed around Oslo synagogue last weekend.
The shield was attended by more than 1000 Norwegian Muslims who flocked to Oslo’s synagogue, forming a human shield as a symbolic protection for the Jewish community in the Scandinavian country.
It was formed as part of an event organized by Norway Muslim community to offer support to Jews after Copenhagen and Paris extremist attacks.
