THE TELEGRAPH: Preacher under police protection after Gaza conflict raises tensions in poor Paris suburb
Hassen Chalghoumi has devoted his life to bringing people together. For years he has preached the values of inter-faith harmony from his mosque in Paris's poor and fractious north-eastern suburbs, working with Jewish leaders, inviting them to his home and urging young people of all religions to embrace harmony in place of hatred.
But today the imam, whose work has been hailed by religious and political leaders, was in fear of his life and under police protection in Drancy after the tensions lying dormant in his community were reawoken by the conflict over 2,000 miles away in Gaza.
Enraged by his determination to show solidarity with the Jewish community at a time when they feel the battle lines are clear, unknown French Muslims have left death threats on his mobile phone. Some have stopped him in the street to warn him he is going "too far". His car has been vandalised and drenched in fuel.
"It is very hard to work for rapprochement in such a climate," he said. "But it has to be done."
In a fortnight which has seen the Palestinian death toll from Israel's assault exceed 1,000, the European country with the largest Muslim and Jewish populations has been served an uncomfortable reminder of the tensions that continue to divide it.
Synagogues in several towns across France have been daubed with antisemitic graffiti. One in Lille was decorated with a swastika. Others have been attacked with petrol bombs and set alight. Dozens of people have been arrested after pro-Palestinian protests turned violent and Israeli flags were burned in the street. According to the French Jewish students' union, there have been 55 antisemitic incidents since 27 December. The police have not published an official list. >>> Lizzy Davies, Paris | Friday, January 16, 2010
Hat tip: Always On Watch >>>
