Jews distribute Ramadan meals for poor families in Morocco

Jewish associations have begun distributing break fast meals to disadvantaged families living in Morocco for a second consecutive year.

The distribution of iftars organised by the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews (IFCJ) began on Monday to around 1,500 Moroccan families. Baskets of dates, tea, lentils, peas, chicken and other commodities were included in the donation.

Last year, around 1,500 packages were distributed to over 8,000 destitute Moroccans. IFCJ’s main aim is to “build bridges” between Jews, Christians and Muslims, and has organised the food distribution in collaboration with the Moroccan association Mimouna, which brings together Muslim students working to preserve and promote the history of the Jewish community of Morocco.

As part of this initiative, an interfaith dinner was held last week in the Slat Al-Azama synagogue in Marrakech with IFCJ Vice President, Yael Eckstein.

Now more than ever, it is very important that the three religions [that] descended from Abraham gather to try to make the world a better place

Eckstein explained.

“Since the Second World War, Morocco has set an example in this part of the world for the way it treats Jewish citizens. Today we are honoured to stand by the Moroccan people and show that we can overcome divisions and intolerance everywhere by building bridges of empathy and understanding.”

Similar food distributions during the final week of Ramadan will be held in Casablanca and Rabat.