|
Jews and Muslims Celebrate Unusual Coexistence in Tunisia's Djerba
Tunisia is home to one of North Africa’s largest Jewish communities
Reuters
16.05.2018 | 18:26
Cyrine Ben Said, a Tunisian Muslim, carried candles and wrote her hopes for the future on an egg in religious ceremony at a synagogue on the southern island of Djerba.
She wanted to share the rituals with her Jewish friends because, for her, Tunisia is a country of tolerance, coexistence and freedom of belief.
“I’m here to share rituals with my Jewish friends in new Tunisia of tolerance, coexistence and freedom of belief ... Every one has his religion, but we have many common points; the flag, love and peace,” Ben Said.
Cyrine Ben Said (L) and Amnia Ben Khalif, Muslim Tunisians, light candles during a religious ceremony at Ghriba, the oldest Jewish synagogue in Africa, during an annual pilgrimage in Djerba, Tunisia May 2, 2018.
Picture taken May 2, 2018.
Cyrine Ben Said (L) and Amnia Ben Khalif, Muslim Tunisians, light candles during a religious ceremony at Ghriba synagogue, during an annual pilgrimage in Djerba, Tunisia, May 2, 2018. \ AHMED JADALLAH/ REUTERS
Tunisia is home to one of North Africa’s largest Jewish communities. Jews have lived in Tunisia since Roman times, and the community once numbered 100,000.
But fear, poverty and discrimination prompted several waves of emigration after the creation of Israel in 1948. Many left after the 1967 Arab-Israeli war, most going to France or Israel.
They now number about 2,000, with more than 1,200 in Djerba.
A Tunisian Muslim woman is seen at Ghriba, the oldest Jewish synagogue in Africa, during an annual pilgrimage in Djerba, Tunisia May 3, 2018.
A Tunisian Muslim woman is seen at Ghriba, the oldest Jewish synagogue in Africa, during an annual pilgrimage in Djerba, Tunisia May 3, 2018. \ AHMED JADALLAH/ REU |
This post contains more resources
You have to Login for download or view attachment(s). No Account? Register
x
|