The Jewish community celebrated the traditional Jewish holiday Hanukkah, Monday in Casablanca.
The ceremony, which was held in the Neve Shalom Synagogue by the initiative of the rabbi of the synagogue, Jackie Sibag, and the associations “Moroccans plural” and “Peace Lecolam”, was marked by the lighting of the second candle of the menorah, It is one of the most prominent rituals of the Jewish holiday.
This ceremony was attended by diplomats, representatives of civil society, and members of the Moroccan community of all faiths who came to participate in a moment of brotherhood, tolerance, and coexistence.
The ceremony was also attended by the Royal Advisor Andre Azoulay, Bonnet Talwar, US Ambassador to Morocco, Christian Testo, Consul General of France, Lawrence Randolph, Consul General of the United States of America, and Alona Fisher, Director of the Israeli Liaison Office in Rabat.
In a statement to the press, Azoulay said: “We have gathered, this evening, to celebrate the Moroccan ties that are so precious to each one of us.”
The king’s advisor also said, “We have gathered to celebrate Hanukkah, the feast of lights… This light, when it is Moroccan, is primarily the feast of all Moroccans.”
He continued: “This is a privilege, we Moroccans enjoy today as it gives us the ability to bring together all religions, Because there was the imam, the pastor and the rabbi, where we celebrated one of our values from the traditions of the Jews, a light that illuminates the path of freedom, resistance and hope.”
Jackie Sebagh, Rabbi of Neve Shalom Synagogue, reaffirmed the Jewish community’s firm adherence to its Moroccan identity, as well as its continuous support behind King Mohammed VI.
He also mentioned that lighting candles symbolizes the “Hanukkah” miracle, i.e. the bottle that remained lit for eight days despite the lack of oil.
For his part, Ahmed Ghayat, head of the “Moroccans plural” association, indicated that this ceremony is characterized by the participation of followers of the three monotheistic religions imbued with common values of exchange and diversity.
Omar Al-Marini, imam of the Al-Zawiya Al-Qadriya, said that this event contributes to strengthening the bonds between Moroccans of all religions.
Father Julien, priest of Paroisse Saint Jacques spoke of the values of the Hanukkah celebration, which celebrates tolerance and coexistence.
For his part, the Ambassador of the United States of America in Rabat expressed his happiness to participate in the “Hanukkah” celebrations in Morocco, a long-standing friend and partner of the United States.
He added that the organization of this ceremony also translates the spirit of tolerance and coexistence in Morocco.
The Consul General of France indicated that, over the course of thirty years of his professional career in Arab countries, this is the first time that he has participated in such an event that is organized with joy, happiness and brotherhood.
The director of the Israeli Liaison Office in Rabat said: “In Hanukkah, we hope that light and miracles will accompany us everywhere; But we also want to partner for a better, safer and fairer world.”
She added, “We celebrate the second anniversary of the restoration of diplomatic relations, as well as thousands of years of friendship and brotherhood.”
During this ceremony, the attendees performed prayers with invocations to the Almighty for victory, health and empowerment. In reference to the miraculous oil (Hanukkah), food fried in oil was served to the attendees, especially pancakes during Candlemass.
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