Rabbi Goldschmidt with the Grand MuftiEli Usman Battykh — Itkin
President Chief Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt led a delegation of senior rabbis to discuss interfaith in the Tunisian island of Djerba, following an invitation from the Tunisia’s President Beji Caid Essebsi and Tourism Minister Salma Elloumi.
The delegation also met with senior government officials, Tunisia’s Mufti Usman Battykh, and other Muslim leaders.
They also visited Jewish sites of interest in both Djerba and Tunisia, including synagogues and cemeteries.
Commenting on the importance of interfaith dialogue, Rabbi Goldschmidt said: “The internet destroys the walls between countries, religions, different layers of society. Much more needs to them be done to establish other channels of communication and bring together religious leaders internationally. We need to establish a dialogue between Muslims and Jews. And our visit to Tunisia is proof that the Muslim community is also prioritizing this.”