BRUSSELS (EJP)—Tunisia is seeking to obtain the UNESCO World Heritage status for the Ghriba , synagogue, the site of a 3-day annual traditional pilgrimage on Lag Ba’omer where thousands of Jews of Tunisian descent from France, Israel and elsewhere converge. The synagogue is located on the Mediterranean island of Djerba off the coast of Tunisia. Lag b’Omer is a break during the 49 days of mourning between the Jewish hilidays of Passover and Shavuot.
Tunisia’s Culture Minister, Mohamed Zine El-Abidine, made the annuncement on Sunday, the last day of the pilgrimage.
He said that the application would highlight the rich religious heritage of the island, which is home to centuries-old mosques, churches and synagogues.
The Ghriba synagogue is the oldest in Africa. It is believed to have been founded in 586 BC by Jews fleeing the destruction of the Temple of Solomon in Jerusalem. The synagogue, which is located in the village of Hara Seghira, or Er-Riadh. The current building was reconstructed in the 19th century.
During the traditional festive procession on the Ghriba synagogue, pray, light candles and write wishes on eggs.
Some celebrate the Lag B’Omer festival by sipping glasses of boukha, a liqueur made from figs.
The pilgrimage took place this year under strict security after a series of terrorist attacks in Tunisia these last years.
Tunisia has been under a state of emergency since November 2015, when a suicide bombing claimed by the Islamic State group killed 12 presidential guards.
This year, Israel issued a severe travel warning , recommending that Israeli citizens do not visit Tunisia and that those already in the country leave immediately.