Yahasra

Search Moroccan Jewish Cemeteries

A good name is better than fine oil - Kohelet 7:1 - קהלת ז:א

Document Archive

The Jewish cemetery of Fez, a symbol of cultural harmony | UN News

Captured 2025-11-22

112

Archived Document

The Jewish cemetery of Fez, a symbol of cultural harmony | UN News

Description

AI Enhanced

This UN News article explores the rich multicultural heritage of Fez, Morocco, through the lens of its historic Jewish cemetery, highlighting how the city exemplifies centuries of peaceful coexistence between diverse religious and ethnic communities. The piece was published following Fez's hosting of the ninth Global Forum of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations in November 2022, using this significant event as a springboard to examine the city's unique position as a symbol of interfaith harmony and cultural convergence. The article centers on the personal story of Johanna Devico Ohana, a Jewish woman born and raised in Fez who now maintains the city's 200-year-old Jewish cemetery—a responsibility inherited from her late father. Her poignant account reveals the depth of cultural integration that historically characterized Fez: "We lived in harmony. There was no tension. We all knew we were Jews, Muslims, or Catholics, and we never had any problems on that side." The cemetery itself, located in the Jewish quarter called 'Mellah' (meaning 'salt'), serves as a tangible symbol of Morocco's once-flourishing Jewish community, with its distinctive semi-cylindrical tombs capturing the history of Jewish life in the region. The historical context provided illustrates Fez's foundational commitment to diversity, dating back to 809 CE when King Idris II actively encouraged Jewish settlement to benefit from their skills and knowledge. This ancient capital of Morocco developed into what is now recognized as the country's cultural and spiritual center, with its Medina designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The article emphasizes how this historical legacy of inclusion made Fez an ideal location for the UN Alliance of Civilizations forum, which focuses on bridging cultural divides and promoting intercultural dialogue. The piece gains additional significance through quotes from Andre Azoulay, senior adviser to King Mohammed VI and father of UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay, who described Morocco as built around "a model of openness, harmony and synergy" that represents "the convergence of Arab-Islamic, Amazigh and Saharan-Hassanian confluents" enriched by "African, Andalusian, Hebrew and Mediterranean tributaries." This UN News article effectively uses personal narrative and historical documentation to illustrate how local cultural preservation can serve as a model for global intercultural understanding, making it particularly relevant for international audiences interested in conflict resolution, cultural heritage, and interfaith relations.

Citation (APA Style)

The Jewish cemetery of Fez, a symbol of cultural harmony | UN News. (2025, 11 22). news.un.org. https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/01/1132412

Technical Metadata

Domain news.un.org
File Size 1461 KB
Archived 2025-11-22T16:06:16.287768
Document ID #112
Languages 5 available