Jews and Muslims, united against terrorism: that’s what emerges from the communiqués, messages of solidarity and declarations issued by Jews and Muslims immediately after the attacks in Madrid. On Tuesday 16 March, on the initiative of the Jewish communities of France, a religious service was held in the main synagogue in Paris in memory of the “Spanish victims struck by the terrible terrorist attack in Madrid and all the victims of terrorism in the world, from New York to Bali, from Jerusalem to Casablanca”. Muslims too reacted to the bomb blasts in Madrid, condemning every form of terrorism. “No ideal, no injustice says a communiqué released by the Union of Islamic Communities in Italy (UCOII) can be invoked to justify the dreadful massacre” perpetrated in Madrid. “No national claim, no reaction to aggression, can legitimise actions of blind ferocity against defenceless people”. In France too the French Council of Moslem Cult (CFCM) condemned the attacks in Madrid in the strongest terms, though asking the national community to “clearly distinguish the Muslims of France from the terrorists”. Mohamed Bechari, president of the National Federation of Muslims of France (FNMF), joined in the chorus of condemnation and concern, emphasizing the danger of a “possible wave of islamophobia” that could take place in Europe following the attacks in Madrid.
