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World Jewish News
Gathering of Jews from Around the World - Thanks to Tajik Banker
25.04.2009
Abraham Pinahasov and Michael Kimyagarov, prominent figures in the community of Tajikistan expatriates, go to Dushanbe for the opening of a new synagogue.
They consider this event to be a sign of the warming of relationships between Israel and Tajikistan, known for its close ties with the kindred Iranians.
As previously reported by the IzRus , portal, the Chairman of the largest bank in Tajikistan and the brother of the First Lady of the Republic Hassan Assadullozod (Sadulloev) presented his own mansion in the center of
Dushanbe to the Jewish community, which numbers about 150 people. On May 1, a new synagogue will be opened with a solemn ceremony to replace the one that was demolished last summer.
Abraham Pinahasov, head of the forum of the World Congress of Bukhara Jews, was one of those who spoke against the decision of the Tajik authorities to demolish the old synagogue. After concurrence with the president of the World Congress of Bukhara Jews Lev Leviev, he sent a letter to the leader of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon. "This appeal went all over the world, caused a resonance, and Mr. Rahmon
met us halfway," said Pinahasov to the IzRus portal. "However, after the reconstruction plan of the city center had been approved, the old synagogue was demolished. Fortunately, thanks to Mr. Hassan Assadullozod, the Jewish community in Dushanbe has a new synagogue now."
In honor of this event, the delegations of Bukhara Jews from the United States, Russia, Austria will arrive in Dushanbe. Several people, along with Pinhasov, will come to the Tajik capital from Israel. Among them is one of the founders of the World Cultural Center of Central Asia, a repartiate from Tajikistan Michael Kimyagarov.
"The Jews have lived in Dushanbe for approximately 200 years. They have always had good relations with Muslim neighbors, and the Tajik people value the contribution of Jews. The gift of Mr. Sadulloev is yet another proof of this," said Kimyagarov in the interview to the IzRus portal. "The opening of the synagogue would not be possible without the approval of the highest officials of the country. That is why I consider this event to be the convergence between the official Tajikistan and the Jewish people."
Kimyagarov stressed that he is going not as an official representative of any organization, but "at the personal invitation of friends." "Despite the absence of an Israeli Embassy in Tajikistan, there still are certain cultural and
economic ties between the two countries. The Tajik delegations come here for the experience in the field of agriculture and agro-industries, private individuals
come for treatment. Here, Tajik artists give concerts, and cultural figures make speeches. In addition, the movie "Your places are free" was shot in Tajikistan. The movie is about friendship between the Jews and Muslims in Central Asia, and it was shown in Israel. So there are connections between the countries."
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