BRUSSELS—Following recent terror attacks against Christians, Muslims and Jews in different parts of the world in recent months, religious leaders, civil society representatives and free-thinkers based in Brussels will come together, in a show of unity, to march against hate.
Ahead of the short symbolic march on Tuesdat from the Brussels Press club to Rond Point Schuman, in the EU area where the EU Commission and EU Council are headquartered, the group, which inlcudes the European Jewish Community Centre (EJCC), the ‘Executif des Musulmans de Belgique’ (Executive of Muslims in Belgium) and the Christian Chapel for Europe, released the following statement : ‘’We, people of all creeds are deeply concerned at the rise of hate in our society. Recent elections across the democratic world and polls ahead the upcoming national and European elections, are showing the rise of populism and radicalism on both ends of the political spectrum.
This reflects a growing rejection of the idea of an open, tolerant, and inclusive society – one which we cherish and value deeply. We reject this rejection!
It is our duty to raise awareness to the danger of extremism. It is our duty to say loud and clear that we Jews, Christians and Muslims stand together as guarantors of each other’s beliefs. We stand together in our commitment to diversity. We stand together to march against hate.”
The leaders of the main faiths will be joined by leaders of other religions, and non-confessionals, EU politicians and representatives to march together and express their strong ties, determination, and commitment to mutual respect and attachment for democratic values.
The march follows rising levels of blind hateful violence in different parts of the world such as the deadly attacks in a mosque in New Zealand, churches in Sri Lanka and Synagogues in the U.S.