A group of Muslims in the Belgian southern town of Arlon decided to appeal for donations and human support to help refurbish the local synagogue, the oldest in the country, which is in poor condition.
According to regional newspaper Vers l'Avenir, the LOCAL Muslim association has been moved when reading an article on the situation of the small Jewish community of Arlon.
The synagogue is part of the architectural and religious heritage of Belgium.
‘’We have decided to organize a fundraising to provide help and testify publicly our solidarity. In line with our values of generosity and mutual assistance, the Muslim community of Arlon is willing to give a hand in this project of general interest, '' said Mohamed Bouezmarni, general secretary of the Association of Muslims of Arlon.
''Beyond the discourse on 'living together', we want to go further and build a 'do together',’’ he added
The synagogue has been closed since August 2014 because of the risk of collapse of the structure due to the spread of dry rot and moisture problems. 400,000 euros are needed to refurbish the building.
Built in 1865, it is classified since 2005 a a major heritage in the Wallonia Region.
Today between 30,000 to 40,000 Jews live in Belgium, with large numbers residing in the capital Brussels, as well as Antwerp in the Flanders region. Other local Jewish communities include Ostend, Ghent, Charleroi, Arlon, Liège, Mons, Knokke, and Waterloo.
There are nearly 50 synagogues and more than a dozen Jewish schools.A group of Muslims in the Belgian southern town of Arlon decided to appeal for donations and human support to help refurbish the local synagogue, the oldest in the country, which is in poor condition.
According to regional newspaper Vers l'Avenir, the LOCAL Muslim association has been moved when reading an article on the situation of the small Jewish community of Arlon.
The synagogue is part of the architectural and religious heritage of Belgium.
‘’We have decided to organize a fundraising to provide help and testify publicly our solidarity. In line with our values of generosity and mutual assistance, the Muslim community of Arlon is willing to give a hand in this project of general interest, '' said Mohamed Bouezmarni, general secretary of the Association of Muslims of Arlon.
''Beyond the discourse on 'living together', we want to go further and build a 'do together',’’ he added
The synagogue has been closed since August 2014 because of the risk of collapse of the structure due to the spread of dry rot and moisture problems. 400,000 euros are needed to refurbish the building.
Built in 1865, it is classified since 2005 a a major heritage in the Wallonia Region.
Today between 30,000 to 40,000 Jews live in Belgium, with large numbers residing in the capital Brussels, as well as Antwerp in the Flanders region. Other local Jewish communities include Ostend, Ghent, Charleroi, Arlon, Liège, Mons, Knokke, and Waterloo.
There are nearly 50 synagogues and more than a dozen Jewish schools.