Articles

Morocco: A beacon of Muslim-Jewish coexistence, by Jak, an ljstudent

As Jews, we are constantly aware of the tensions that exist between the Islamic community and our own. This is evident all around us – in Israel and the Islamic world, on the international stage and even on our own University campus. However, it doesn’t have to be this way. There is a country where Jews and Muslims happily live side by side. Perhaps surprisingly, this country is the North African and predominantly Muslim state of Morocco.

Jews have existed in the region that is now modern day Morocco for over 2,000 years, and have long had the support and respect of the Moroccan government. When Vichy France in the Second World War prepared 200,000 yellow stars for the Jews of Morocco, King Mohammad V replied that the occupied French government would have to prepare 50 more for himself and his family. In modern Morocco the history, customs and rights of all Jews are protected. On High Holy Days and festivals, Moroccan officials attend services as a sign of solidarity with the Jewish community. While the voice of Islamic extremism can be heard in Morocco, it is silenced by the supportive nature of the Moroccan government and its institutions.

Increasingly, there has been a tendency on both sides to take the view that the two communities are at best incompatible, and at worst diametrically opposed. This dangerous view has to be challenged.

Two weeks ago, the Islamic Society at the University of Leeds held a Discover Islam week in which they erected a tent outside the Union in order to educate about their faith to the wider University population. Upon visiting the tent, I was treated with the utmost respect and kindness by every person I met – as I am sure any Muslim would be at any future Jewish Awareness Week that we as a JSoc may hold.

Campaigning for Union Council last week, I enjoyed meeting and campaigning side by side with many ISoc members. Whilst we may differ drastically politically, it did not stop us from developing friendships which I hope will last long into the future. As a JSoc, it is important for us to engage with the Muslim community on campus – not only so we can understand them, but also so they can see where we are coming from. If you take politics out of the equation, there is so much that unites our two communities. It is important that we emphasise these similarities rather than the differences that seem to be at the forefront currently. Lets hope that next term we can all work together to improve the atmosphere on our campus, and strengthen ties between the JSoc and ISoc. To not do so would have a detrimental effect on both Jews and Muslims in Leeds.