Rabbis from Muslim Countries, Including Iran, Attend Historic EU Conference in Brussels
A historic conference convened by the Union of Rabbis from Islamic countries took place in Brussels, the capital of the European Union, featuring rabbis from various Muslim-majority nations, including Iran's Chief Rabbi Yehuda Grami. The event was held in the European Parliament building and included meetings with senior EU officials who expressed interest in the religious freedoms of Jewish communities, particularly highlighting the approximately 20,000 Jews living in Iran.
During discussions, the rabbis raised numerous challenges faced by Jewish communities in Muslim countries, focusing on strengthening Jewish life in these regions. EU leaders, including European Commissioners Magnus Berner, Dubravka Šuica, and Oliver Văcărescu, along with diplomats and parliament members, pledged ongoing support and communication with the rabbis. Dubravka Šuica praised the coexistence of Jewish and Muslim communities, citing the historic Sephardic synagogue in Dubrovnik as a symbol of religious resilience and harmony.
The conference also addressed practical issues such as improving kosher certification, mikvahs, Jewish marriage, and burial services. EU representatives invited the rabbis to reach out anytime regarding Jewish matters. The event featured participation from notable figures such as Nikolay Mladenov, director of the Trump Peace Council, and Arieh Lightstone from the Peace Council.
Katarina von Schnurbein, the EU Coordinator on Combating Antisemitism and Fostering Jewish Life, spoke about the EU's commitment to combating antisemitism and supporting Jewish communities. She shared her personal motivation rooted in her upbringing in Germany and her dedication to Holocaust survivors and education. Von Schnurbein distributed EU-emblazoned kippahs to attendees and vowed to ensure Jews can openly wear them in Europe.
Prominent rabbis attending included Chief Rabbis from Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Nigeria, Albania, Gibraltar, Azerbaijan, Tunisia, Morocco, Tanzania, and Brussels, as well as leaders from the European Rabbis Center. The conference underscored the EU's dedication to religious freedom and the preservation of Jewish life within Muslim-majority countries and Europe.
Summary: Rabbis from Muslim countries, including Iran, gathered in Brussels for a historic conference with EU officials to discuss challenges facing Jewish communities and promote religious freedom. The EU pledged support for Jewish life and combating antisemitism, emphasizing coexistence and practical cooperation.
Points: 1. Rabbis from Muslim countries, including Iran, met EU leaders in Brussels to discuss Jewish community challenges. 2. EU officials showed strong interest in religious freedom, especially for Iran's 20,000 Jews. 3. The conference addressed Jewish religious services and community strengthening in Muslim countries. 4. EU Commissioners pledged ongoing support and open communication with Jewish leaders. 5. EU Coordinator on Antisemitism committed to fighting antisemitism and supporting Jewish visibility in Europe. 6. The event highlighted centuries of Jewish-Muslim coexistence and the EU's dedication to religious tolerance.
