Rabbi Menachem Margolin, Director of the Rabbinical Centre of Europe and of the European Jewish Association, presented the award to Niddal El-Jabri, a Muslim resident of Copenhagen, Denmark, who organized the “human ring of peace,” in which some 1,000 Danes participated. The human chain encircled Copenhagen’s main synagogue as a symbol of solidarity with the Jewish community in the wake of last month’s terror attack in which the Jewish security guard Dan Uzan was killed.

El-Jabri requested permission to organize the solidarity rally immediately after the murderous terror attack that took place in Copenhagen on February 15, but his request was rejected due to security concerns. It was only due to his persistence and determination in pursuing his plan that it was approved several weeks later. This approval came after a similar initiative was carried out around a synagogue in Oslo, the capital of Norway.

Representatives of the European Union, led by the EU commissioners of finance, justice, taxation and education, as well as the deputy prime minister of Belgium and representatives of more than 20 European countries, took part in the inspiring ceremony, which was part of the memorial ceremony honoring the victims of terror in Copenhagen. The event was held in the UJA headquarters in Brussels. Mr. Joel Margi, president of the Consistoire and leader of France’s Jewish communities, gave an emotional and powerful speech at the event.

Rabbi Menachem Margolin, who hosted the memorial ceremony, said that “Memorial days are, unfortunately, not uncommon for the Jewish people. It’s important that we ensure that this aspect of our history will not become a part of our reality now or in the future. At a time when the Jews of Europe are becoming used to attacks on their freedom of religion, we can never grow accustomed to complacent leaders who believe that talk alone – even strong declarations – will placate us.” Rabbi Margolin renewed his call to European leaders to follow the American example of appointing a body responsible specifically for tracking and battling anti-Semitism.

Mordechai Uzan, the bereaved father of slain security guard Dan Uzan, said that “Evil can be defeated only through human kindness, a kindness that demands courage. I have hope that humanity will wake up and take the vital steps necessary to strengthen the democratic world so that together we will ensure a better, stronger future for our children and for all our citizens.”

In accepting the award, Niddal El-Jabri thanked Rabbi Margolin for this initiative and said, “Ethnicity and religion no longer have to be a reason for hate crimes, attacks and murder. The essence of courage is not to make peace with anti-Semitism, but rather to demand a broader peace and to speak up for all minorities.” El-Jabri rejected the attempts that have been made to import the Middle East conflict to Europe, and stated that “If we start to stir up the conflict outside of Israel, then there will never be peace in Israel and the Middle East.”

Alexander De Croo, deputy prime minister of Belgium, spoke of the dark forces that are trying to undermine our common values. At the same time, he called upon all those who were present to confront hatred in all its forms, including racism and anti-Semitism. “None of these have any place in Belgium or anywhere in Europe. The European continent has always been home to people with varied beliefs, and it must remain so.”

Ms. Nechama Tawil, program director of the European Jewish Community Centre (EJCC) moderated the ceremony. Rabbi Mendy Pevzner offered the tefillah of Keil malei rachamim.