Norwegian Muslims plan ‘peace ring’ at Oslo synagogue to protest violence

A group of Norwegian Muslims sick of the violence — and especially outraged at the deadly shooting attack at a Denmark synagogue last week — are planning to form a “peace ring” in Oslo as a show of solidarity and to say: Not all Muslims want to wage jihad.

“We think that after the terrorist attacks in Copenhagen, it is the perfect time for us Muslims to distance ourselves from the harassment of Jews that is happening,” said Hajrad Arshad, a 17-year-old event organizer, The Times of Israel reported.

The group wanted to “extinguish the prejudices people have against Jews and against Muslims,” she also said in an interview with Norwegian Broadcasting Corp. NRK.

Ervin Kohn, a leader in Oslo’s Jewish community, said the synagogue agreed to the event so long as a minimum of 30 people showed. About 450 so far have reportedly signed up to attend.

The event’s Facebook page states, The Local reported: “Islam is about protecting our brothers and sisters, regardless of which religion they belong to. Islam is about rising above hate and never sinking to the same level as the haters. Islam is about defending each other.”