Neither antisemitism nor anti-Muslim prejudice should be tolerated in our respective circles -

 

Gaza Ceasefire Can Inspire Muslims and Jews to Unite against Hate

 By Qari Asim
Leeds, UK

 

The three-phase truce agreement will require continued monitoring and accountability from the negotiating parties and consistent international pressure and diplomacy to bring lasting stability, justice and security to the Palestinian territories, Israel, and the wider region. Those responsible for suffering on both sides might claim credit for ending the relentless violence but they must also be held accountable for the disaster of the previous 15 months.

Witnessing the metastasising of the Israel-Gaza conflict with more than 46,000 dead and 110,000 Palestinians wounded has been excruciatingly painful and deeply traumatic for my community. Similarly, the horrific massacre of Israelis on October 7, 2023, has left the British-Jewish community reeling and devastated.

Escalating conflicts in the Middle East have deeply strained interfaith relations generally and in particular cast a shadow over Jewish-Muslim relations in the UK. The Israeli hostages remaining in captivity for more than 440 days, unremitting bombardment by the Israeli government, inflammatory political rhetoric, and polarised media narratives have all contributed to deepening divisions and reinforced mutual fears between the two communities.

During the past 15 months, many British Muslims felt they could not speak up against the horrific violence and devastation that Palestinian civilians have endured for fear of being accused of antisemitism. Many British Jews believed that the Saturday protests were “hate marches” and threatened their safety and freedom in this country. This lived reality of both communities, compounded by the exponential rise in both anti-Muslim prejudice and antisemitism, has intensified a sense of trepidation, vulnerability, and suspicion. As with other conflicts, but possibly even more embedded in this historic and complex conflict, there is a lack of acceptance that others have alternative narratives.

Despite our tribal loyalties and open stark differences about the Israel-Gaza conflict, there is a greater need to genuinely listen to each other’s perspectives and feel their pain. As we will mark the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz later this month and the 30th anniversary of the Srebrenica massacre later in the year, we know all too well what demonization of the “other” can lead to. Unless we believe an attack on the dignity, freedom and security of any one group of people is an assault against all of us, the consequences will be dreadful for all of us, and we will not be able to escape the deep stain on our collective moral conscience.

The ceasefire is the first step. Concrete action is required to alleviate suffering and bring about lasting peace by implementing a two-state solution. The future does not have to be plagued with fear, devastation and bloodshed. We can either choose to be bystanders or stand up for the humanitarian imperative and make this historic ceasefire a beacon of hope for coming generations.

Our shared history of coexistence and cross-cultural pollination has historically fostered social cohesion, growth and enrichment. Our respective Jewish and Islamic traditions, particularly through shared philosophical and intellectual underpinnings, have influenced pivotal moments in history that enhanced human flourishing, such as the Enlightenment. We can model such cross-cultural collaboration again in Britain and stand together against those who seek to threaten social cohesion, spread hatred, or trample on our freedoms.

Since the latest violent phase in this historic conflict, I have been involved in several initiatives and challenging conversations (mainly private), where anxious but courageous members of the Muslim, Jewish, and Christian communities have continued constructive dialogue. These encounters and dialogues have sparked extremely difficult and emotionally draining conversations, which have not necessarily resulted in participants changing their views completely about the conflict. But they have provided safe spaces for alternative narratives to be heard and helped many realize that listening to the other side is an important step in humanizing them.

Recently, an anti-Hamas Palestinian speaker, Ahmed Alkhatib, was hosted in our Mosque in Leeds to speak to a group of Muslims, Jews, and Christians. Some of the participants agreed with him but many Muslims challenged his views regarding bringing an end to the apocalyptic situation for Gazans. An agreement among the participants was not the desired goal, but they were willing to listen to alternative narratives and were able to engage with others’ realities.

Neither antisemitism nor anti-Muslim prejudice should be tolerated in our respective circles. Parliamentarians also have an important role to play in securing peace, safety, security, and dignity for both Palestinians and Israelis, as well as addressing the lack of safe spaces and resources to foster relationships between our respective communities in the UK.

As the ceasefire shall be the beginning of the reconstruction of Gaza and healing, I hope that this truce can help British Jews and Muslims to reconstruct dialogue and dispel fear and distrust through listening to each other and standing together to combat the alarming rise in anti-Muslim hatred and antisemitism locally and globally.

(Qari Asim is the imam at Makkah Mosque in Leeds and trustee of British Future and Hope Not Hate. The Times)