Sudanese businessman defends his organization of a religious forum “promoting normalization”

Sudanese businessman Abul-Qasim Bartam defended his organization of a forum in Khartoum on religious tolerance, in which a rabbi participated via video, after he was criticized by a group that accused him of promoting normalization with Israel.

Bertam organized the forum on Saturday, about a month after Sudan signed the “Abraham Accords” on January 6 under the auspices of the United States, which aim to normalize relations with Israel.

The event was attended by the descendants of Sudanese Jewish families, diplomats, and a member of the Sudanese Sovereignty Council, Raja Nicholas.

Prior to the opening of the forum, the “Ansar Affairs for Preaching and Guidance” group affiliated with the Islamic Umma Party considered in a statement that it “comes in light of an atmosphere in which there is a conflict between the advocates of normalization with Israel and those who reject it.”

She added that he “intended to put the people of Sudan before the fait accompli calling for normalization” with Israel.

But Bertam defended the meeting on Saturday, stressing that it is a social initiative independent of politics and normalization with Israel.

The businessman considered that Sudan is following the path of freedom, peace and justice by rejecting hate speech, violence and religious discrimination, to achieve unity, tolerance and coexistence.

Abu al-Qasim Bartam was a member of Parliament before his membership was canceled in 2015 after his call to abandon Islamic law and establish relations with Israel.

In January, Sudanese demonstrated in front of government headquarters in Khartoum, chanting slogans against Israel and burning its flag.

Source: “AFP”

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