MUSLIMS across France attended Catholic mass in churches on Sunday in a gesture of solidarity and sorrow following the brutal murder of a priest by two jihadists, the latest in a string of militant attacks. According to media reports more than 100 Muslims were among 2,000 faithfuls who packed the 11th Century Gothic Cathedral of Rouen near the Normandy town where the 85-year old priest Father Jacques Hamel was slain. The most poignant moment of Sunday’s mass in Rouen was the sign of peace, a regular part of the liturgy when the faithful turn to greet each other in the pews, either shaking hands or kissing. Archbishop Labrun used the moment to step into the congregation and greet Muslim leaders with three nuns who were at the church in Saint Etienne-du-Rouvray when Hamel was murdered. He welcomed and thanked the Muslims in the congregation in the name of all Christians for affirming that Muslims reject death and violence in the name of God.’ The Archbishop said they are very much touched by the presence of the Muslims accepting it as an important gesture of fraternity. President of Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray Mosque Mohammed Karabila said the physical presence was very important to show the solidarity physically, because until now the Muslim community did a lot of things that were not seen. They are here to show that the two communities are united against religious violence and threat to peace. Nice’s top Imam Otaman Aissaoui also led a delegation to a Catholic mass in the southern city where a jihadist on Bastille Day killed 84 men and women and children injuring 435, which also include many Muslims. He epitomized the moment saying French Muslims are united with Catholic in response to the act of horror and barbarism.
This exposure of unity of faithful all over France on Sunday was a proper act in proper direction. God is truth and peace and harmony is the accurate reflection of truth. Interfaith harmony and fraternity is the basis of modern civilization. Muslim clerics did a great job to enhance trust and to cure wounds created by some so-called jihadists whom Muslims denounced as not Muslims at all. They have earned bad name to Islam and the presence of Muslims in the Catholic mass was a bold step to show that Islam stands for peace and solidarity and hate barbarism of any form. Indeed terrorism in the name of religion has created serious threat to interfaith coexistence and harmony and French Muslims did not give it a chance by sharing the pain and sorrows of the Christian community. We hope such fraternity will work as a milestone in interfaith relations in France and all over to endure the challenge of time.
