Imams and rabbis on tandem ‘bikes against hatred’ in Berlin

A Muslim and a Jewish man rides a tandem together during a bicycle tandem tour of Jews and Moslems against anti-Semitism and hatred of Muslims in Berlin, Sunday, June 24, 2018. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

Jewish rabbis and Muslim Imams cycled together on tandem bikes in Berlin to show respect for religions, and to protest against racism and anti-Semitism.

 

“We Imams and Rabbis will go ahead as good examples,” said Muslim theologian, Ender Cetin.

“There are often prejudices and there is little contact,” said rabbi, Elias Dray,one of those behind the initiative. He cycled along with Cetin on one of 25 tandem bikes. In addition, a number of supporters participated,and a total of approximately 200 people participated in the cycling tour.

The participants were wearing white vests with the inscription “Jews and Muslims for respect and tolerance.”

The trip took place from Berlin’s Holocaust Memorial, and past synagogues and mosques, and ended at the Bebelplatz Square where the Nazi’s notorious book burning took place in 1933.

The participants also cycled past Breitscheidplatz, where the Kaiser Wilhelm church is located. In 2016, twelve people were killed there in a terrorist attack when a truck drove through a Christmas market at the church.

 

© NTB scanpix / #Norway Today