"No to anti-Semitism. No to Islamophobia."
That was the message chanted by what's estimated to be more than 1,000 Muslims who created a human shield, or what they called a "ring of peace," around a synagogue in the Norwegian capital of Oslo late Saturday.
"Muslims want to show that we strongly condemn all type of anti-Semitism and hatred towards Jews. And that we are there to support them," the group that organized Saturday's event wrote on a Facebook page inviting Muslims to attend. "Islam is to protect our brothers and sisters, independently of what religion they belong to."
The peaceful demonstration comes one week after a gunman opened fire at a synagogue in neighboring Denmark, killing two people, in what has been characterized as the worst episode of terrorism in that country in three decades.
Later reports suggested that the suspect, 22-year-old Omar Abdel Hamid el-Hussein, may have drawn inspiration from the Islamic State (ISIS).
Over 1000 Muslims formed "ring of peace" at Oslo's main synagogue, chanting "No to anti-Semitism, no to Islamophobia" pic.twitter.com/SD9s0YIlxo— Ben Norton (@BenjaminNorton) February 22, 2015
1300 Muslims link hands in a Ring of Peace around Jewish synagogue in Oslo. Best news from Europe all year. pic.twitter.com/CnsrbC3o1c— ian bremmer (@ianbremmer) February 21, 2015
Tonight Norwegian muslims formed a human shield in front of the Oslo synagogue. Historic. #ringOfPeaceOslo #Norway pic.twitter.com/iCQxJrQSrt— Oda Leraan Skjetne (@oSkjetne) February 21, 2015