University inaugurates campus synagogue next to mosque

Morocco’s Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) has inaugurated the first university synagogue in the Arab World next to its new mosque in a showcase of Morocco’s history of religious tolerance and coexistence, writes Souad Anouar for Morocco World News.

Founder of Mimouna Association El Mehdi Boudra told The Media Line that the synagogue was named Beit Allah (House of God in Arabic). According to Boudra, the synagogue was constructed next to UM6P’s new mosque “with only a wall” separating the two religious sites, reflecting the coexistence of religions in Morocco. The synagogue is expected to provide numerous religious services for the Jewish on-campus community.

Executive Director of the American Sephardi Federation Jason Guberman thanked UM6P for building the synagogue despite not having any Jewish students enrolled on campus. Guberman further highlighted the “instrumental” role of the director of UM6P Institute of Biological Science Gabriel Malka, who is a Moroccan Jew, in advancing the project. He added that the university expects an “influx of Jewish students” coming from institutional partners in Israel including Ben-Gurion University and Bar-Ilan University.
Full report on the Morocco World News site