A delegation from the Alliance of Rabbis in Islamic States met on Monday with Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani at Lusail Palace, where they offered condolences following the passing of the Emir’s father and expressed appreciation for Qatar’s support of the Jewish community and its visitors Belaaz is told.

Iran’s Rabbi Yehuda Gerami told Belaaz that he, Rabbi Mendy Chitrik, chairman of the Alliance of Rabbis in Islamic States, and Rabbi Eliyahu Chitrik, the son of Mendy, who is the Chabad emissary serving Qatar, visited the Emir to convey their condolences on behalf of the organization.

Speaking with Belaaz, Rabbi Gerami said: “There was a meeting with the Emir of Qatar, and as rabbis of the Union of Rabbis in Islamic States, I and Rabbi Chitrik, and his son, who is a Chabad Shliach in Qatar, went to the Emir to comfort him on the death of his father.”

Rabbi Chitrik told Belaaz: “We have been received very, very warmly by His Highness the Emir. Together with us was Rabbi Eli Chitrik, who is the Rabbi of the Jewish community in Qatar; Rabbi Gerami, the Chief Rabbi of Iran; Rabbi Uzan, the Chief Rabbi of Nigeria. We had discussion about Jewish life in the Muslim world, in Qatar, and how we can live together as human beings in this beautiful stretch of land that we all call home.

Rabbi Chitrik added: “It was very, very encouraging, and we’re looking forward to continuing this engagement with the government and the authorities to benefit the Jewish community of Qatar, which is a numbers about 300 people or more.”

During the meeting, Rabbi Mendy Chitrik thanked Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani for warmly receiving the delegation together with Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani. He expressed gratitude for the Emir’s support in ensuring that Jewish life can continue to flourish in Qatar and for allowing Rabbi Eliyahu Chitrik to serve the Jewish community and the many Jewish visitors who come to the country.