The pilgrimage of the Jews to Tunisia... an opportunity to avoid terrorist operations and a manifestation of religious tolerance
On an occasion considered by Tunisian observers as an opportunity to promote an image of the country that has been damaged in recent years by some terrorist operations and political tensions, the Jewish pilgrimage ceremony to the "Al-Ghariba" synagogue on the island of Djerba (southern Tunisia) began on May 4, with the celebrations reaching their climax. On the 8th and 9th of this month, which will witness the "Al-Kharjah" procession and the rituals of visiting.
The pilgrimage to the Ghriba Synagogue is organized every year on the 33rd day after the Jewish Passover, and it is at the heart of the traditions of Tunisian Jews. the world.
Religious tolerance
Visitors enter the synagogue, inviting worshipers to be blessed, while wishes are written on eggs that are later placed in a small crypt. Most of the synagogue's visitors are Jews of Tunisian origin, the majority of whom live in France, in addition to Israel, Canada and the United States.
On Saturday, the head of the French Imams Forum, Hassan Chalghoumi, praised the seasonal religious celebrations in the Jewish "Al-Ghriba Synagogue" in southern Tunisia, noting that it represents a response to extremists and the enemies of Islam. Freedom of religion and belief exists in Islamic culture and religion.
Ghriba synagogue
Tunisia witnessed (3) terrorist strikes in 2015; In the Bardo Museum, and in a tourist resort in Sousse, and in the center of the capital, it led to Western countries issuing several warnings against traveling to it, while international airlines and travel agencies stopped marketing tourist trips to Tunisia .
The synagogue was the target of a terrorist bombing in 2002, which caused the death of (21) people, namely: (14) Germans, (5) Tunisians, and two Frenchmen.
Al-Shalghoumi said, "Djerba is the island of peace... and the celebration of visiting the Ghriba Synagogue does not exist in the world, as more than 1,500 Jews live in Djerba, and Jews from around the world come to participate in the visit alongside Tunisian Muslims."
Tunisia witnessed (3) terrorist strikes in 2015; In the Bardo Museum, and in a tourist resort in Sousse, and in the center of the capital, which led to Western countries issuing several warnings against traveling to it.
And the head of the French Imams Forum continued, saying: "This is the biggest message to the enemies of Islam, racists, and terrorists who distort religion. Islam is a religion of peace, and a guarantor of people's freedom and security for all the beliefs of the People of the Book."
The island is proud of the values of tolerance and cultural and religious diversity among its Muslim, Jewish and foreign Christian residents. One of the most prominent manifestations of coexistence can be seen through the adjacent shops and the relations between Muslim and Jewish merchants who are abundant in the goldsmiths' market.
The oldest synagogue in Africa
The Ghriba Synagogue is located on the island of Djerba, 500 km southeast of the Tunisian capital, and was inhabited by Jews in the past . copy of the Torah.
It dates back more than 2,500 years, and it is the oldest synagogue in Africa, and one of the oldest synagogues in the world.
This temple was built on parts of the First Temple in Jerusalem, and it is believed that these parts were brought by the displaced Jews with them to Tunisia after the destruction of the Temple in the year (586) BC, according to the Jewish account.
The Ghriba Synagogue is located on the island of Djerba, 500 km southeast of the Tunisian capital
According to what is circulating, the name of the temple goes back to "al-Ghariba", to a Jewish woman who came to the region and settled in Djerba, and established the al-Ghriba synagogue.
Jews flock to this shrine annually from various parts of the world in the month of May (May) every year from the 33rd day of the Jewish Easter calendar, and they perform various religious rituals, ceremonies and rituals.
It is noteworthy that the building itself, in terms of structure and colors, is characterized by an Arab character, and when entering it, women are required to cover their heads, and men are asked to put on the small black hat that Jews wear, and everyone is asked to take off their shoes .
The synagogue was the target of a terrorist bombing in 2002, which caused the death of (21) people, namely: (14) Germans, (5) Tunisians and two Frenchmen.
Tunisia does not maintain diplomatic relations with Israel, but in 1996 they opened two offices for interests, and each appointed a permanent representative to the other country, but the Tunisian authorities closed these representations in October 2000 in protest against the suppression of the Palestinian uprising.
France remains at the forefront of the countries from which Jews come to participate in religious celebrations, and the number of visitors is estimated at (4) thousand, and the rest come from Italy, Britain and Germany.
The decline of the Jewish community in Tunisia
Until the middle of the last century, there were about (100) thousand Jews in Tunisia, before their numbers decreased to the limits of (2000) people only, as the Jewish community in Tunisia was one of the largest Jewish communities in the Arab region.
A large portion of the Jews , whose number was estimated at about 100 thousand people, left several years after Tunisia gained independence in 1956, to reside, especially in France and Israel.
More than half of Tunisian Jews are concentrated on the island of Djerba, which includes (11) synagogues in two lanes called "the big lane" and "the small lane", where there are some Jewish houses that are characterized by Hebrew writing on their walls.
Until the middle of the last century, there were about (100) thousand Jews in Tunisia
There are also some hotels owned by Tunisian Jews, and there are non-Jewish Tunisians who live in these neighborhoods as well.
This sect, which is considered one of the oldest in the history of Tunisia, has a huge tangible and intangible legacy, extending from the north to the south of the country and from east to west.
The Jewish community in Tunisia, despite its decline, is considered one of the oldest minorities residing in the country, which allowed it to penetrate various aspects of life such as the economy, society, culture and politics. Some even consider it one of the components of the Tunisian identity known for its diversity and openness.
President of the French Imams Forum: This is the biggest message to the enemies of Islam, racists, and terrorists who distort religion. Islam is a religion of peace, and a guarantor of freedom of persons and security for all beliefs of the People of the Book.
Among the reasons for the decline of the Jewish community, mentioned by Tunisian historians, is the issuance of the “Law of Return” approved by Israel, as well as the decision of former President Habib Bourguiba to nationalize agricultural lands in 1964, especially since a large number of them were land owners.
Some statistics indicate that the number of Tunisian Jews in 1896 was about (100) thousand, to shrink at the dawn of independence in 1956 and become (57,700) Tunisian Jews, then decreased in 1970 to (10) thousand, distributed mainly between the island of Djerba, Tunis, and the governorates of Sousse and Sfax. .
Tunisian Jews had contributions to political life before and after independence, and before independence they were active in the ranks of the "Tunisian Communist Party", and Bourguiba involved it in political life, but their participation remained intermittent.
Source : websites