Hanukkah: Moroccan Jews in Île-de-France Reiterate Unwavering Attachment to HM the King

06 December 2021 Printable Version

Paris - The Moroccan Jewish community of Île-de-France celebrated, on Sunday evening in the city of Saint-Germain-en-Laye (Yvelines), the eighth and last night of the Festival of Lights, Hanukkah, which was an opportunity to reiterate unwavering attachment to HM King Mohammed VI and the glorious Alawite Throne.

This celebration took place in the presence of Rabbi Cantor Raphael Cohen, of Moroccan origin, the Consul General of the Kingdom in Pontoise, Salah Eddine Taouis, and several guests from the three monotheistic religions.

It was held according to the cultural and culinary traditions of Moroccan Jews and Ashkenazi Jews and was marked by the lighting of candles of the traditional Jewish nine-branched candlestick (Hanukkah menorah), installed for the occasion, said a statement from the Consulate of the Kingdom of Morocco in Pontoise.

On this occasion, Rabbi Raphael Cohen performed a prayer and invocations to the Almighty to preserve HM King Mohammed VI and grant him long life, the same source added.

Born in the city of Agadir, Rabbi Cohen also expressed "his deep respect for the dedication and commitment of the Sovereign to the development of the Kingdom and the prosperity of its people."

Rabbi Raphael Cohen also highlighted the benevolent concern that HM the King shows towards Moroccans of the Jewish faith, both in Morocco and in the rest of the world, the statement said, adding that he also recalled the constant commitment of the Sovereign to the preservation and safeguarding of the Moroccan Jewish heritage.

For his part, the Consul General of the Kingdom in Pontoise expressed his best wishes to the Moroccan Jewish community on the occasion of Hanukkah, recalling that Judaism is an important component of the plural Moroccan identity that dates back more than 2,000 years.

The diplomat also highlighted the climate of tolerance and coexistence that has prevailed throughout the history of the Kingdom, and which was enshrined and perpetuated by HM King Mohammed VI in His capacity as Commander of the Faithful.

"The participation of members of the Consulate General of the Kingdom of Morocco in Pontoise alongside their sisters and brothers of the Jewish faith in this celebration is an opportunity to bring together young and old to share moments of happiness, joy and festivity and to show the world the richness and diversity of Moroccan culture and civilization," concluded the Consul General.