Tunisia broadens access to annual Jewish pilgrimage to Africa’s oldest synagogue
Baku, April 16, AZERTAC
This year’s Jewish pilgrimage on Tunisia’s island of Djerba will welcome more worshippers after two years of scaled-down participation due to safety concerns, according to the Times of Israel.
The pilgrimage to the Ghriba synagogue, Africa’s oldest, has in the past drawn thousands of pilgrims from Europe and beyond, attracting international and local tourists as well.
But after a deadly 2023 terror attack on the synagogue that killed two worshipers and three police officers, fewer pilgrims have been turning out, while officials also placed restrictions on the event.
This year, organizers say it will be “open to everyone, Tunisians and foreigners, as part of a gradual return to normal,” said the head of the organizing committee, Perez Trabelsi.
The pilgrimage will be held from April 30 to May 6.
Festivities will still be limited to indoors this year, whereas the pilgrimage usually includes a parade outside of the synagogue.
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