Hundreds Of Norwegians form human chain outside Oslo mosque

OSLO: A week after hundreds of Muslims had formed a human-linked chain outside a Synagogue in Oslo to show solidarity with the Jewish community in the aftermath of attacks, hundreds of formed a circle of protection outside a mosque in the city on Saturday to demonstrate unity and peace, the Huffington Post reported.

Hundreds of people gathered around the Central Jamaat-e-Ahl-E Sunnat mosque in Oslo to show solidarity and respect for their Muslim compatriots.

The event was held to offer a symbolic "thank you" to Muslims and to express solidarity for forming a "peace circle" around an Oslo synagogue last weekend.

Read: In solidarity: Norway's Muslims link hands to form human chain outside Oslo synagogue

The organisers of the event said in a Facebook post that they wanted the ring to be read as support of peace, tolerance and respect for Muslims, who they called "a vulnerable minority in Norwegian society".

"We want to stand shoulder to shoulder with our Muslim fellow citizens to show disgust towards increasing Muslim hate and xenophobia in society. In this time of fear and polarisation we feel it is more important than ever to stand together and show solidarity. We believe in and will highlight [the] human will to live together in peace and in [respect] for each other regardless of religion [and] ethnicity," the call for participants read.

The original chain that Muslims formed around an Oslo synagogue took place on Saturday, February 21. It came days after a brutal attack on a free speech event and a synagogue in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Saturday's event took place as a third suspect linked to that attack was charged for aiding the gunman.