Authorities in Tajikistan have begun demolishing the country's only synagogue to make way for a new presidential residence, an official said Friday. The century-old synagogue in the center of the capital Dushanbe is to be completely torn down by June “as part of the plans to build a new presidential palace”, according to a spokesman of the city administration. Last month, city authorities already demolished the synagogue's ritual bathhouse, classroom and kosher slaughterhouse.
The World Jewish Congress is campaigning to preserve the synagogue and wants to enlist the European Union's support for its campaign. In a letter to European Commission president Barroso, the WJC argues that th synagogue was "the focal point of Jewish life in Tajikistan" and that it was "more than a house of worship alone. It is a place where Jews come to learn and to socialize." Bobby Brown, director of international affairs at the World Jewish Congress, told the "Jerusalem Post" that "the issue itself has become a bellweather in regards to tolerance" between different religions. Tajikistan is a mainly Muslim country, but the country's Jews descent from the ancient community of Persian-speaking Bukharan Jews, who have lived in central Asia for more than 2,000 years.
