Community Leaders Band Together

Nabil Bouslama, the manager of the Errahma mosque, is leading the charge for this historially significant event. Joining him
are Rabbi Daniela Touati from the Keren Or synagogue and Father Olivier de Gersigny from the Sainte-Madeleine church. Together,
they seek to send a strong message of unity and cooperation, especially in the face of recent violence.

On Monday, June 2, a man set fire to a Quran just before the call to prayer at the Errahma mosque. This incident comes on the
heels of other religiously motivated attacks in France, including the murders of Aboubacar Cissé and Hichem Miraoui and the
assaults on Rabbi Elie Lemmel. These events highlight the increasing tensions and hatred within the nation.

Interfaith Unity in the Face of Adversity

The upcoming march aims to showcase the unity of the community and to send a clear message that hatred and violence will not
divide them. The participants believe that by coming together, they can promote understanding and friendship among diverse
religious groups. This initiative echoes similar efforts across the globe where interfaith dialogue and collaboration have
proven to be effective in reducing tensions and fostering peaceful coexistence.

Overlooking the significance of the march are the inherent challenges of overcoming deeply rooted prejudices. “We must do
much more to bring down prejudices,” Rabbi Daniela Touati says. “We can have each of the different opinions without insulting
or hitting each other.”

Rolling Out the Red Carpet for the March

The march will begin at 6:30 PM on Monday, June 9, from Place Wilson in Villeurbanne, where the Sainte-Madeleine church is
located. The march will pass in front of the Keren Or synagogue and Errahma mosque, symbolically uniting the three establishments
before concluding at the Hôtel-de-Ville. This journey is intended to emphasize the unity and shared humanity of the community.

Nabil Bouslama elaborates on the significance of the march, stating, “This march is a cry of alarm. We hope for a citizens’ start
where more emphasis is placed on understanding rather than hatred.”

The Future of Religiousance in France

As France continues to grapple with religious tensions, initiatives like this march offer a beacon of hope. Community leaders
are calling on citizens to actively participate in fostering dialogue and understanding. By diversity and rejecting
violence, France can look forward to a future where intolerance gives way to harmony.