Moroccan Jewish Diaspora Gathers in Essaouira for Annual Hilloula Celebration

23 September 2019 – bySylvanus@Bladi · 1 min read

Members of the Moroccan Jewish community from around the world are preparing to celebrate the annual Hilloula in Essaouira. Jews from America, North America, Latin America and all of Europe are taking part in this four-day event.

Since Thursday, September 19, hundreds of members of the Moroccan Jewish community have been in Essaouira to celebrate the Hilloula of Rabbi Haim Pinto, on the anniversary of his death, in the Jewish cemetery of the city, reports the MAP.

The event is an opportunity for members of the Moroccan Jewish community to express their attachment to their homeland, Morocco, a "haven of peace and a land of tolerance", indicates the same source.

"Morocco is our homeland. It is our country that we love and cherish more," said Rabbi David Pinto. He says he is very happy and proud to be back in Essaouira this year.

More than 1,500 Moroccan Jewish pilgrims come to Morocco each year to celebrate this event. Out of the 14.7 million Jews in the world, 2,000 live in Morocco, according to statistics from the Jewish Agency, published in September 2018.

Category: Morocco

Keywords:

Essaouira Moroccan Judaism