Key facts
- Rabbis from Muslim-majority countries met with European Commissioners and ambassadors in Brussels.
- The Alliance of Rabbis in Islamic States, founded in 2019, aims to support Jewish communities in Muslim-majority nations.
- Rabbis highlighted the long history and resilience of Jewish life in these regions, while acknowledging past devastation and recent strains.
- Requests were made for practical European support, including visa facilitation, protection of religious sites, and safe passage for religious articles.
- The meeting emphasized the need for tangible cooperation between Jewish and Muslim communities on shared rights and freedoms.
In a meeting in Brussels, rabbis from Muslim-majority countries, including Iran, Morocco, Kazakhstan, and Nigeria, convened with European officials and ambassadors. The gathering, organized by the Alliance of Rabbis in Islamic States, aimed to highlight the ongoing presence and challenges faced by Jewish communities in these regions and to seek practical support from Europe.
Rabbi Mendy Chitrik, founder of the Alliance, emphasized that Jewish life in Muslim-majority societies is a story of resilience and renewal, not just loss. He noted that while ancient communities were devastated in the 20th century, new communities have taken root, and existing ones continue to persevere. However, he acknowledged that public Jewish life has become more discreet since October 2023, citing incidents in the UAE, Dagestan, and Tunisia as examples of the dangers faced.
The rabbis presented modest requests to the EU, including recognition of synagogue registrations, facilitation of visas for rabbis to serve small communities, protection of cemeteries, and safe passage for religious articles. They argued that Europe should recognize and engage with these living Jewish communities, rather than viewing them as relics of the past.
The discussion also touched upon the historical precedent of coexistence in places like medieval al-Andalus, but cautioned against romanticizing it, noting that it was not always a paradise and was broken by persecution. The rabbis stressed that contemporary coexistence, as practiced in places like Djerba, Baku, and Istanbul, requires active participation and support.
Furthermore, the importance of practical cooperation between Jewish and Muslim communities on defending shared freedoms, such as kosher slaughter and circumcision, was underscored. The rabbis advocated for moving beyond ceremonial interfaith dialogue towards practical democratic cooperation.