Muslim clerical council adopts international definition of antisemitism
Global Imams Council backs the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's definition amid 'peace efforts' in the Middle East
Citing recent “peace efforts” between Israel and several Muslim countries, an international council of Muslim religious leaders adopted a definition of antisemitism that includes some forms of vitriol against the Jewish state.
The Global Imams Council, a body created in 2007 in a bid to heal sectarian divisions in war-torn Iraq, announced Thursday its adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of antisemitism, which includes demonisation of Israel alongside more traditional forms of antisemitism. Palestinian and Muslim groups have long opposed the IHRA definition, as have many critics of Israel, who say it limits free speech.
In its statement, the council, which says it has 1,300 imams in its ranks, wrote that it decided on the move “in light of the current peace efforts being achieved throughout the Middle East,” a reference to Israel’s recent agreements normalising relations with the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Sudan.
“Today, we add our council’s name alongside 34 countries that have adopted this working definition,” the council said. “We live in a time of rising Antisemitism and terrorist attacks, which makes our responsibility as faith leaders greater, and even greater as Imams.
This definition “will be binding on all current and future members” and affiliate institutions, the statement said.
The council said the first suggestion that it adopt the IHRA definition came from the office of the U.S. Department of State’s special envoy to monitor and combat antisemitism.
“We ask the Almighty to bring together the hearts of the Children of Abraham and to strengthen the bridges of peace, harmony, understanding and mutual respect. Indeed, He is the All-Hearing,” the statement concluded.
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
