Oslo Synagogue
Det Mosaiske Trossamfund | |
 Exterior of the synagogue in Oslo, note concrete barriers | |
| Religion | |
|---|---|
| Affiliation | Judaism |
| Region | St. Hanshaugen |
| Location | |
| Location | Bergstien 13, 0172 Oslo, Norway |
| Geographic coordinates | 59°55′33″N 10°44′34″E / 59.9257029°N 10.7428643°E |
| Website | |
| www | |
The Oslo Synagogue is a synagogue in Oslo, Norway. The congregation was established in 1892, but the present building was erected 1920. Architectural historian Carol Herselle Krinsky describes the two-story tall, stuccoed building with a round tower topped with a spire supporting a Star of David as resembling "a simple and charming country chapel.'[1]
King Harald V and Crown Prince Haakon visited the synagogue in June, 2009.[2][3]
2006 shooting attack
The synagogue was the site of a 2006 shooting attack, suspected by police to have been perpetrated by four men in a car. No one was injured.[4] The four allegedly were the then 29-year-old criminal-turned-Islamist Arfan Bhatti of Pakistani origin, a 28-year-old Norwegian-Pakistani, a 28-year-old Norwegian of foreign origin, and a 26-year-old Norwegian.[5]
Bhatti was acquitted for terror charges, but still convicted for co-conspiracy to the shooting (along with several other unrelated charges) which was instead judged as "coarse vandalism".[6] The three other men were acquitted of all charges.[7]
On 21 February 2015, media reported that Norwegian Muslims gathered outside the synagogue, forming a human ring, to show that they deplore the harassment of Jews. The event was organized shortly following the terrorist attacks in Paris and Copenhagen. Around 1,000 people attended the demonstration, which received international media attention.[8] Other reports stated that possibly only a minority of those present were Muslims. Ervin Kohn, the president of the Norwegian Jewish community, told enquiring reporters that the exact number of Muslims among those present at the demonstration was impossible to quantify.[9]
See also
References
- ^ Synagogues of Europe; Architecture, History, Meaning, MIT Press, 1985; revised edition, MIT Press, 1986; Dover reprint, 1996, p. 94
- ^ Norway king visits local Jewish community
- ^ Jun 10, 2009, Jerusalem Post, King of Norway visits Jewish community
- ^ Synagogue shooting spurs calls for tighter security, Aftenposten English edition [1]
- ^ Israeli embassy target of Oslo synagogue attackers
- ^ "Bhatti dømt til forvaring" (in Norwegian). NRK. 20 February 2009.
- ^ "Frikjent for terrorplaner". Verdens Gang (in Norwegian). 3 June 2008.
- ^ 21 Feb 2015, VG, Norske muslimers fredsring får bred internasjonal omtale
- ^ "Misinformation mars Oslo interfaith 'peace ring'". The Times of Israel. 23 February 2015.
External links
- Buildings and structures in Oslo
- Religious buildings completed in 1920
- Synagogues in Norway
- 21st-century attacks on synagogues and Jewish communal organizations
- Islamic terrorism and Norway
- Religious organizations established in 1892
- 1920 establishments in Norway
- Antisemitism in Norway
- Islam and antisemitism
- Jews and Judaism in Oslo