02 April 2014
Tunisia is restoring Ghriba synagogue in preparation for the Jewish pilgrimage next month.

The religious affairs ministry on March 26th allocated funds to maintain Africa's oldest synagogue, located on the Tunisian island of Djerba.

The Djerba pilgrimage will take place from May 13th-18th. This year's edition of the event follows Tunisia's adoption of a new constitution guaranteeing religious freedom for all.

Tunisia is counting on the religious occasion to promote a good image of the country and encourage foreign tourists to rethink their perceptions.

Foreign visits fell after the 2002 terror attack on Djerba, when an al-Qaeda suicide bomber drove a fuel truck into Ghriba synagogue and killed 16 European tourists and five Tunisians. The revolution caused visitor levels to fall anew.

Official temple curator and Jewish community leader Perez Trabelsi praised the attention of the Tunisian government to the country's Jewish citizens and their religious celebrations.

Trabelsi pointed out that his group had been receiving support since 1990 from the religious affairs ministry, the governorate of Medenine and various associations.

"The funds provide also for the upkeep of the synagogue," he explained. "Frankly, our requests were always met positively, whether from government authorities or from regional ones," he told Magharebia.

The Jewish community is living in peace and interacts well with Tunisian Muslims, he added.

Trabelsi said he expected a good turnout of foreign visitors for the upcoming pilgrimage.

"It is true that their number declined during the past three years, but I'm optimistic that this year will be better," he said.

Tourism Minister Amel Karboul made the same point. Speaking at a March 14th press conference, the minister said she hoped to see thousands of Jews make the pilgrimage to Djerba, especially since their numbers had dwindled greatly after the revolution.

President Moncef Marzouki also spoke recently in support of Tunisia's Jewish community. During a March 16th visit to an exhibition on synagogues in La Goulette, he said that Tunisia's Jewish community represented an essential component of the diverse culture of the country.

Tunisia was proud of its Jewish sons, he said.

Citizens also voiced support for the government's position.

"It is good for the government to be fair. Just as you build mosques for Muslims you should also maintain Christian and Jewish houses of worship as well as their monuments so there is no discrimination against religions," auto repair shop owner Aziz Bouriel told Magharebia.

He added, "They all represent important religious and cultural legacies showcasing the diversity of the country. They must be maintained because this will serve our image abroad and attract thousands of tourists."

"This move reflects the equal treatment provided by the state to citizens regardless of their religions," agreed 43-year-old high school teacher Nadia Abdelli.

"It translates into seeking to ensure a decent living for minorities present on the territory. We are all servants of God and the Jews have the right to live among us in safety and dignity, especially as they have proved their loyalty to the homeland," she added.

© Magharebia.com 2014