Every year, the imam of Drancy, known for his fight against anti-Semitism and Islamism, organizes a dinner to break the fast bringing together political and religious representatives to call for tolerance and peace.
The president of the Conference of Imams of France, the imam of the mosque of Drancy (Seine-Saint-Denis) Hassen Chalghoumi, organized this Thursday, March 6, his annual « Iftar of Peace » on the occasion of the holy month of Ramadan to call for « building a world of peace and tolerance ».
In his wishes marking the beginning of Ramadan, Friday, February 28, Imam Chalghoumi explicitly mentioned the conflict in the Middle East to call once again for peace. « May God accept our prayers, our efforts, and guide us on the path of righteousness, prosperity, and peace that must reign on earth, especially in the Middle East between the Palestinians and Israelis, » he wrote on the social network X.
As every year for the past sixteen years, the meal to break the fast of Ramadan open to all under the sign of peace, and symbolically baptized « the Iftar of Peace », took place this Thursday, March 6 at the Hôtel du Collectionneur in Paris.
Imam Hassen Chalghoumi invited 400 people, among whom we were able to meet political and religious figures and even associations, gathered to support the vision of the Imam of Drancy but also 6 members of the families of the Israeli hostages.
Patriarch Jacques, Imam Hassen Chalghoumi, Jean Michel Blanquer, Omar Harfouch, Minister Stanislas Guerini, Shannon Seban, President of the French Israelite Consistory Elie Korchia, Marek Halter, Israeli Ambassador to Paris Joshua Laurent Zarka, Minister Elisabeth Borne, Rabbi Haim Korsia, Grand Rabbi Moshe Lewin, international imams, Protestant, Buddhist, Catholic and Orthodox religious, but also actors and non-believers in the demonstration of unity and the values of coexistence and peace.
AGPI President and CEO Avi Abraham Benlolo paid tribute to the families of the hostages and demanded the return of all hostages; he stressed the organization’s commitment to fostering interreligious dialogue, combating anti-Semitism and defending democracy and human rights.
Among the evening’s partners, we find David Donadei, president of the CitéStars association, who invited public figures such as actors, athletes and show business people to the peace dinner « Iftar of Peace ». Among them were invited, Cartouche (comedian and actor), Katia Tchenko (singer and actress), Fiona GELIN (actress), Evelyne Dress (actress, writer), Thierry Samitier (actor and actor), the weather presenter Fabienne Amiach, … etc.
The Jewish writer Marek Halter, announced during the speech given in the evening of the iftar of peace, that a march for peace in Paris, will take place on May 4, on the Champs-Élysées, to call for tolerance and peace.
For his part, Imam Hassen Chalghoumi explained what had damaged peace and why today hatred is everywhere, giving an example: the attack by Hamas terrorists against Israel on October 7, 2023, further damaged relations between Jews and Muslims. And did a lot of harm to the Palestinian cause. It rekindled hatred on both sides. In terms of consequences, it is worse in my eyes than that of September 11, 2001. It has fueled anti-Semitism and extremism on the left and right. Our Jewish compatriots are insulted, attacked, threatened. Our Muslim compatriots are stigmatized. We cannot let this hatred be exploited by a minority. We must move on. The mass of our fellow citizens yearn for peace. That is why we are preparing this march on the Champs-Élysées. To rekindle hope.
Four prizes were awarded to the association committed to peace in the United Arab Emirates, to the families of the Israeli hostages, to the Minister of Education Elisabeth Borne, who received the Olive Tree Peace Prize, and to Omar Harfouch who received the Peace Prize.
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