Multi-faith solidarity in wake of racist attacks

Notes: "It was standing-room-only at a multi-faith rally in an Ottawa synagogue November 20 [2016], following a spate of racist graffiti attacks over six days. Targets included a Jewish prayer centre, a mosque, a church that has a black pastor and two synagogues. The Congregation Machzikei Hadas in south Ottawa [led by Rabbit Reuven Bulka] hosted the event two days after its front doors were spray-painted with swastikas and offensive graffiti spray-painted on walls outside the synagogue" (p. 1, 11). Anglican participants included Canon John Wilker-Blakley, ecumenical interfaith officer for the diocese of Ottawa and president of the Capital Region Interfaith Council (CRIC). "'The Muslim community stands with our Jewish brother and sister' in opposition to hate crimes, said Imam Samy Metwally. Walls of the Ottawa Muslim Association mosque were splattered with red pain overnight November 17 [2016]. The spate of attacks started November 15 [2016], when Rabbi Anna Maranta found swastikas and anti-Semitic slur spray-painted on her home in the Glebe section of Ottawa, where she runs a small Jewish prayer centre. There Rev. Gregor Sneddon, rector of nearby St. Matthew's Anglican Church ... [was] among several people who came to a candle-lit service on the steps of Marant's home to pray and offer their support" (p. 11).

Subjects: Hate crimes - Canada; Hate crimes - Religious aspects; Hate crimes - Religious aspects - Anglican Church of Canada; Antisemitism - Canada; Antisemitism - Religious aspects; Antisemitism - Religious aspects - Anglican Church of Canada; Interfaith dialogue - Canada; Wilker-Blakley, John (John Lawrence); Sneddon, Gregor