"An official invitation" to reciprocate the visit to the Synagogue "as soon as possible". This is the conclusion of the speech of Rome’s head rabbi, Riccardo Di Segni, in the mosque of Rome. At the end of his speech, the rabbi gave to the Secretary General of the Islamic Culture Centre of Italy, Abdelah Redouane, a small wooden hand handicrafted in Morocco. The rabbi explained that the raised forefinger stands for the sign with which the Holy Writs are read at the synagogues, and Redouane commented: "Therefore, to follow light". "I wish this meeting said Redouane in his welcome address to the Jewish delegation may be fundamental for inter-religious dialogue and a confirmation of our commitment to God and to the sanctity of life". Redouane highlighted "the solidarity of the Jewish community on the occasion of the cartoons of Muhammad. An affair he said that strengthened our faith but that made us suffer". Then, the secretary quoted verses and suras from the Koran, to insist on the fruitful relations existing among the peoples of the Book (Muslims, Jews and Christians), which are the best tools for discussion. From here, today, concluded Redouane, "a testimony against anti-Semitism and Islamo-phobia comes to the world. You journalists should be the bearers of this message of friendship and dialogue. Our cultures meet to renew bonds of dialogue, in which we have never stopped believing". (to be continued)
