Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, received Iran’s Chief Rabbi, Rabbi Yehuda Gerami, as part of a rabbinic delegation that visited Lusail Palace on Monday to offer condolences following the death of the emir’s father, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.

The delegation was led by Rabbi Mendy Chitrik, chairman of the Alliance of Rabbis in Islamic States and rabbi of Istanbul’s Ashkenazi Jewish community. He was accompanied by his son, Rabbi Eliyahu Chitrik, who has worked to provide Jewish religious services for visitors in Qatar.

The rabbis conveyed their condolences to the emir, Qatar’s ruling family and the Qatari people. The alliance said it serves Jewish communities across the Muslim world, including Jews visiting or residing in Qatar.

Qatar’s official news agency said the emir thanked Rabbi Chitrik and the delegation for their sincere sentiments and condolences. Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani and Chief of the Amiri Diwan Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Khulaifi also attended the meeting.

Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani died on July 12 at the age of 74. He ruled Qatar for 18 years before transferring power to his son in 2013.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)