Muslims have raised thousands to help repair a vandalised Jewish cemetery

This particularly feelgood campaign managed to smash its target of $20,000 (£16,000) in just three hours.

But what was it raising money for? Well, the campaign is called “Muslims unite to repair Jewish cemetery.”

And it plans to do just that. Over the weekend vandals damaged over 170 headstones at the Chesed Shel Emeth Society cemetery in University City, Missouri, and any money raised will go towards repairs.

@chrislhayes In addition to bomb threats today, Chesed Shel Emeth Cemetery in St. Louis was vandalized. Over 100 tombstones toppled. pic.twitter.com/IxlRF72FnT
— Kimberly B (@Emmaline8266) February 20, 2017

On Monday the White House denounced a string of threats against Jewish community centres, so a campaign like this showing unity and acceptance couldn’t have come at a better time.

Some photos of Chesed Shel Emeth, a Jewish cemetery in University City: pic.twitter.com/FQRVpBCvFi
— Jason Rosenbaum (@jrosenbaum) February 21, 2017

The campaign says: “Muslim Americans stand in solidarity with the Jewish-American community to condemn this horrific act of desecration against the Chesed Shel Emeth Cemetery.

“We also extend our deepest condolences to all those who have been affected and to the Jewish community at large.”

Organsied by Linda Sarsour and Tarek El-Messidi, the campaign wants to raise funds to help rebuild the sacred space, and any remaining funds when the cemetery is restored will be given to help other vandalised Jewish centres.

Now over double the initial goal.
This is what solidarity looks like. pic.twitter.com/78GHi4I7Z2
— Imraan Siddiqi (@imraansiddiqi) February 22, 2017

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And it looks like there will be a fair amount of money left over, judging by how well it did. In just three hours it reached its goal of $20,000, and at the time of writing it was at an impressive $56,222 (over £45,000).

Donald Trump recently denounced the rise in anti-Semitism in America, after increasing calls for him to speak up against it.

JCC threats, cemetery desecration & online attacks are so troubling & they need to be stopped. Everyone must speak out, starting w/ @POTUS.
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) February 21, 2017

Governor of Missouri Eric Greitens is Jewish and condemned the attack, and called for volunteers to help clean it up. He wrote on Facebook: “One measure of a community’s strength is what we do in moments like this.

“We can choose to cower, or we can choose productive action and shared service. We can turn a vile act into a moment for resolve and a demonstration of our state’s faith.”

And the clean-up operation is already in action.

Rosenbloom Monument crews continuing to repair vandalized headstones at Chesed Shel Emeth Cemetery in U-City…1/2 pic.twitter.com/VhOWxbYbHv
— Chris Regnier (@chrisregniertv) February 21, 2017

Scene at Chesed Shel Emeth Jewish Cemetery in U-City. Crews starting to make repairs to vandalized headstones. pic.twitter.com/JX0SmpIvVm
— Chris Regnier (@chrisregniertv) February 21, 2017

Campaigns like this are a heart warming show of unity and acceptance, something which is sorely needed. The campaign has a wider purpose than just the cemetery, but says: “We hope to send a united message from the Jewish and Muslim communities that there is no place for this type of hate, desecration, and violence in America.

“We pray that this restores a sense of security and peace to the Jewish-American community who has undoubtedly been shaken by this event.”