Jews and Muslims launch friendship tour

[Behind the Aegis]

Paris Rabbi Michel Serfaty has strengthened his battle for inter-religious dialogue with a first Jewish-Muslim friendship tour of the infamous inner-city suburbs of Paris. The friendship bus started its route on Friday in Corbeil-Essones and reached two other Paris suburbs in the afternoon.

Rabbi Serfaty, and some Jewish and Muslim volunteers set up their big cardboard sign calling on passers-by to help them “build the Jewish-Muslim friendship” while handing out leaflets.

“I was surprised when I read the sign, but it was a good surprise,” said Farihane Larabi, a young Muslim student, wearing a headscarf who came across the friendship bus in Corbeil.

“I support the rabbi’s initiative, which I just discovered. I think this is exactly what we need today, when ‘Islamophobia’ and anti-Semitism are on a rise.”

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