VOA慢速英语：法国缓和犹太与穆斯林的关系

Franceis guarding against new violence after theterrorist attack last month near the city of Lyon. The attack came only sixmonths after deadly shootings in Paris. One community is very worried –French Jews. The attack has added tensions to relations between FrenchJews and Muslims.

France remains on high alert after the terrorist attack last month near the city Lyon, just six months after deadly Paris shootings. The attack added new tensions to relations between French Jews and Muslims.

The ties were already tense over conflict in the Middle East and anti-Semitism,hatred of and discrimination against Jews. Yet France’s Jewish and Muslimcommunities share a common tradition. And as far as one religious leader isconcerned, the two groups are meant to be friends.

Drivers slow down to look at Michel Serfaty, who is both a big man physicallyand a Jewish leader or rabbi. He wears a black hat on a visit to LeCourneuve, a town near Paris. A snow-white beard covers his face.

Rabbi Serfaty is telling a man in a white T-shirt about being called a dirty Jewas he walked down the street. The man agrees it was a shameful act. But hesays it does not represent the opinions of many Muslims like himself.

The two men talk in front of the offices of the Union of Islamic Organizations ofFrance, a group with ties to Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood. It seems a strangeplace to find a rabbi, but Michel Serfaty is not your usual clergyman.

For years, he has traveled around France in an old mini-bus covered withsigns saying “Solidarity between Jews and Muslims,” and “We are more alikethan you think.” The rabbi walks through neighborhoods with high crime ratesand large immigrant communities. He talks with Muslim leaders, students andeven drug dealers.

Since the Paris terrorist attacks, Michel Saferty’s work has taken on newmeaning. The rabbi hands out flyers to those he meets. He says peoplesometimes take his handouts and throw them into the street. They say Jewsmust be killed and that Adolf Hitler has not finished his work. Many Jews werekilled in Europe during the years Hitler ruled Germany.

Michel Serfaty has heard hard things, but he has never had any seriousincident -- which means that there is the possibility of dialogue.

Discussions are what the Jewish Muslim Friendship Association is all about.Rabbi Serfaty directs the group from his synagogue in Ris-Orangis, a quiettown near Paris. Next to the religious center sit a mosque and a church. Therabbi says the placement of the buildings next to each other was done for areason: to push for understanding among the three groups.

But Michel Serfaty has had round-the-clock protection since the Parisattacks. The rabbi wanted an interfaith team, but says he could not find anyJews who were interested. So he travels around France with several youngMuslims who work for his association and Imam Mohammed Azizi. RabbiSerfaty has known the Muslim leader for years. They both immigrated toFrance from their native Morocco.

Imam Azizi says the fight against anti-Semitism, discrimination and hatred ofMuslims takes a long time. He says it requires a lot of energy and effort.

Attacks against Jews in France have increased since Rabbi Serfaty foundedhis group in 2005. Often the men responsible for the attacks are youngMuslims. But prejudice goes both ways.

Mr. Serfaty remembers the time he met a group of Hasidic Jews. One told himhe was wrong to continue his work. The man also said that Jews and Muslimswill hate each other forever.

But the rabbi pushes on. In La Courneuve, he arrives unannounced at theUnion of Islamic Organizations of France, known locally as the UOIF.

Union official Ghazi Wehbi offers coffee and says Mr. Serfaty seems like amember of his family. The two men take photographs together. They agreethat there needs to be more communication between Jews and Muslims.

Mr. Wehbi praises Michel Serfaty and his program. He says more dialogueswill make Jews and Muslims understand each other. He adds the UOIF alsoopens its doors to non-members of the organization.

In June, the French government awarded Mr. Serfaty the National Order ofMerit for his efforts. His organization has grown to several offices aroundFrance. Slowly, he believes, the seeds of Jewish-Muslim friendship arebearing fruit.

Lisa Bryant reported on this story from Paris. Triwik Kurniasari adapted it forLearning English. George Grow was the editor.

______________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

shameful – adj. causing dishonor

flyer(s) – n. pieces of paper that have messages or other information printedon them

interfaith – adj. involving people of different religions

round-the-clock– adj. all day and all night

prejudice – n. a feeling against a person or group because of religion or race

bear(ing) – v. to have or produce

dialogue– n. discussions, communciations