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Hubert Allouche (R), representative of CRIF, the umbrella representative group of Jewish organizations in France, presents the Dalai Lama with a Tallit.
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PARIS (EJP)---The Dalai Lama, who ended last weekend a 12-day visit to France, received a Tallit, a traditional Jewish prayer shawl, from a Jewish official.
Hubert Allouche, an official of CRIF, the umbrella representative group of Jewish organizations in France, was among the few guests to attend last Friday the inauguration by the Tibetan spiritual leader of a Buddhist temple in Roquedonde, in southern France.
The 73-year-old Dalai Lama presented Allouche with a long white silk scarve, a Tibetan gesture of welcome, hospitality and respect.
The CRIF representative in his turn offered the Tibetan leader the Tallit. “It was for me a great honor and a great satisfaction,” Allouche said.
“I told the Dalai Lama that our two people are linked by a community of fate. That we are attached to our culture and our faith. The bridges between Judaism and Buddhism are numerous. Such a meeting is a sign of great fraternity.”
Allouche added: “The Dalai Lama said he feels a sincere affection towards the Jewish people.”
France’s first lady, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner and Human Rights Minister Rama Yade also attended the ceremony.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy declined a meeting with the Dalai Lama during his visit, sparking accusations from opposition Socialists that "the only guiding principle (of Sarkozy's policy towards China) appears to be not to displease Beijing."
His office said, however, that Sarkozy will meet with the Dalai Lama before the year's end.
Beijing had cautioned Sarkozy that meeting the Tibetan spiritual leader would have "serious consequences" for bilateral relations, and warned France to deal prudently with the "important and sensitive" issue of Tibet.