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The Muslim Jewish Forum of Greater Manchester
Established to develop the cultural and social ties between the Muslim and Jewish communities of Greater Manchester

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Statement on desecration of Jewish graves in Manchester

28 June 2014

We were shocked by the news earlier this week that graves in a Jewish cemetery on Rochdale Road, Blackley, Manchester had been desecrated with Nazi swastikas and anti-Semitic graffiti, and also around 40 headstones being pushed over.

Respect for burial places forms an essential part of both Judaism and Islam, as well as all other major religions. Accordingly we fail to understand how anyone could be motivated to carry out such an attack.

We have learned today, Saturday 28 June, that two 13-year old boys have been arrested in connection with this crime, while police are continuing their investigations. The ages of the accused invite questions about the nature of the moral upbringing they have received from their parents, and why their education has not taught them the universal human value of respect for burial places.

Heather Fletcher, our Secretary “I was saddened and sickened to hear of these cruel actions by these mindless perpetrators. I hope that the tolerant majority will always prevail over the bigoted minority."

Mohammed Amin, our Muslim Co-Chair, said “The regime of Nazi Germany was guilty of mind-numbing crimes against Jews and many other peoples, culminating in the Holocaust. An attack using Nazi symbolism in this manner brings shame on our entire city. The only consolation is the way that all parts of society have come together to support our Jewish fellow citizens.”

 

 

 

 

 

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The Muslim Jewish Forum of Greater Manchester
Established to develop the cultural and social ties between the Muslim and Jewish Communities of Greater Manchester

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