The book titled “Rehabilitation of Morocco’s Jewish Cemeteries – The House of Life” was presented Sunday at the Arab World Institute (IMA) in Paris, as part of the exhibition-event «Contemporary Morocco “.
During the ceremony, the Secretary General of the Council of Jewish Communities of Morocco and Ambassador of HM the King, Serge Berdugo, stressed that the rehabilitation of Jewish cemeteries, which was launched in 2010 at the initiative of HM king Mohammed VI, took four years and involved 167 sites in 14 regions of the Kingdom, noting that this operation is an extraordinary illustration of contemporary Morocco recognizing its various tributaries.
Mr. Berdugo, who wanted to speak on behalf of the Jewish community of Morocco, and conveyed its appreciation and gratitude to the Sovereign, subsequently made a presentation in which he exposed the main lines of this book.
“This has a strong symbolic and highly religious significance and reflects the commitment of the Kingdom to the values of moderation, dialogue and respect for others,” he noted. “It is the expression of a reality and a culture rooted in the long history of the Kingdom,” he added, noting that it has reactivated relationships with the Jews of Morocco and preserved the traces of the Jewish heritage.
The Minister of Endowments and Islamic Affairs Minister Ahmed Toufiq, said the operation to rehabilitate Jewish cemeteries in Morocco is a celebration of the memory, life and death, stressing the need to appreciate the true value of this book as a good example of this rehabilitation work.
After noting that the continuity of the Jewish community in Morocco took place in the symbiosis and coexistence with Muslims, Mr.Toufiq said that this book is an invitation to revisit the Jewish heritage, and must be translated into other languages.
The minister also talked about the contribution of the Jewish community to civilization and wealth of the country, stressing that it has always kept the nostalgia and emotional ties with Morocco.
He also referred to some specifics of the Judeo-Moroccan heritage, noting that Jewish cemeteries are places of pilgrimage, to sometimes both Jews and Muslims.
Opening the meeting, the President of the Arab World Institute (IMA), Jack Lang, said that this book is an illustration of this multifaceted Morocco, recalling the exhibition dedicated to the Kingdom organized since last October that puts value to diversity.
He stressed the support of HM the King and his confidence for the realization of this unique event of this kind, which aims to discover and rediscover a country through living art, a success that exceeded all expectations, as he said.
Lang said that Morocco is an exemplary country to proclaim its commitment to the diversity of cultures and religions, recalling that it is the only country in the world whose Constitution asserts forcefully the diversity of its tributaries, which is a source of inspiration and renewal.
The book, recently published, had its origins in the decision of HM King Mohammed VI to back up and restore all places of worship and cemeteries, including those of the Jews.
“It’s a fundamental restoration undertaken to protect and repair the ravages of time, to restore honor and dignity to the ‘House of Life’ and the dead who rest in peace, bringing tranquility to their families wherever they are in the world, “said a Testimonial and a prayer for the blessing of His Majesty King placed in the preamble of this book and carried by twenty-seven large Moroccan Jewish rabbis in ten countries.
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