Local Muslims in the town of Arlon, in southeast Belgium, are appealing to raise funds to repair the town’s synagogue — the oldest synagogue in Belgium — which was closed last year because of danger of collapse from the damage from moisture and dry rot.
A TV video report shows damage to areas of the upper inner wall and ceiling of the synagogue, which was built in 1863-65. The 50-member Jewish community has had to find other space for services.
According to the news site l’avenir.net, the local Muslim association was moved to act after reading an article last month on the condition of the building, which since 2005 has been listed as a monument of the Wallonia Region.
Media estimated that costs of repair could amount to €400,000. Work is to begin later this year, with the Wallonia authorities funding some of it, but further financing will be needed to cover the full operation.
Local media quoted Mohamed Bouezmarni, general secretary of the Muslim Association, as saying that the the Association had decided to organize a fundraising drive “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.”
This is not the first time that local Muslims have helped save a synagogue. In 2013 in Bradford, England local Muslims led a fundraising campaign to help refurbish the more than 130-year-old Reform synagogue and save it from closure.
Click to see article in Belgian news site l’avenir.net
2 comments on “Local Muslims helping save historic synagogue in Belgium”
I hope that all the subjects i am reding in this newsletter are better that this comments on Arlon.
From top to end everything is false: synagogue never close, 80% of renovations cost are paid by the Wallonia Region because it is a listed building, the rest will come as usual from the members and outside donors.
If you had asked the Consistory in Brussels you would not have swallowed the bobbe mazes of a newspaper who want to show how good the relations are between Muslims and Jews !!!
and it is not the first time something happens in that simple human way to be of immense value towards each other!
in local news (papers) you will find such a good news.
Arlon happens to be one of the Belgium towns I know better,because one of my father’ s friends ,a violinist ,was living over there .