In a historic gathering hosted by the European Union, senior rabbis from Muslim-majority countries—including Iran—met this week with top EU officials in Brussels to discuss the challenges facing Jewish communities across the Islamic world and ways to strengthen Jewish life.

The conference, organized by the Union of Rabbis in Islamic Countries, included a session held inside the European Parliament. Among the participants was Iran’s Chief Rabbi, Rav Yehuda Gerami, alongside rabbanim representing Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan, Morocco, Tunisia, Albania, Nigeria, Tanzania, Gibraltar, and other countries.

During meetings with senior European Union officials, the rabbanim highlighted the religious and communal challenges facing Jewish communities in Muslim countries. EU leaders expressed particular interest in the status of Iran’s approximately 20,000-member Jewish community and discussed issues relating to religious freedom.

The conference was organized by Rabbi Menachem Mendel Chitrik, Chief Rabbi of Türkiye and chairman of the Union of Rabbis in Islamic Countries. EU officials who participated included European Commissioner for Internal Affairs Magnus Brunner, European Commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka Šuica, European Commissioner for Health Olivér Várhelyi, diplomats, and members of the European Parliament.

Šuica praised the work of the rabbanim, recalling the centuries-old synagogue in her hometown of Dubrovnik, Croatia, which survived earthquakes, world wars, and the siege of the city during the 1990s.

“That synagogue proves that a place is stronger when every religion is free to live and flourish,” she said. “Every day you demonstrate that Jewish life can exist alongside Muslim majorities. In some of your communities, Jews and Muslims have lived together for centuries. That is something precious.”

She added that discrimination, persecution, and violence against minorities must never be tolerated and pledged that the European Union would continue standing with threatened Jewish communities.

Katarina von Schnurbein, the European Commission’s Coordinator on Combating Antisemitism and Fostering Jewish Life, also addressed the gathering, reaffirming the EU’s commitment to fighting antisemitism across Europe. Speaking about growing up in Germany, she said learning from Holocaust survivors inspired her lifelong commitment to preserving Holocaust memory and protecting Jewish communities.

Von Schnurbein also told participants that her office remains available to assist Jewish communities and pledged to do everything possible to ensure Jews can continue wearing a yarmulke openly and safely throughout Europe.

The conference also included discussions among the participating rabbanim on improving kashrus systems, mikvaos, Jewish marriages, and access to proper kever arrangements for Jewish communities throughout the Islamic world. The rabbanim exchanged ideas and practical solutions while strengthening cooperation between their communities.

PHOTOS BY: Gabriel Lelievre

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)