Senior rabbis serving Jewish communities across the Muslim world joined European Commissioners, Members of the European Parliament, ambassadors, and diplomatic leaders for the annual ARIS Alliance (Alliance of Rabbis in Islamic States) Board Meeting and Diplomatic Dinner in Brussels.
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Senior rabbis serving Jewish communities across the Muslim world joined European Commissioners, Members of the European Parliament, ambassadors, and diplomatic leaders for the annual ARIS Alliance (Alliance of Rabbis in Islamic States) Board Meeting and Diplomatic Dinner in Brussels.
The gathering was led by Turkey’s Rabbi Mendy Chitrik, Chairman of the ARIS Alliance, and brought together the Chief Rabbis of Iran, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Nigeria, and Albania, highlighting the Alliance’s unique role in strengthening Jewish life and promoting dialogue throughout the Islamic world.
The Brussels gathering was organized by Rabbi Levi Matusof, Chabad representative to the European institutions, who coordinated the participation of senior European officials, diplomats, and religious leaders.
A highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Maimonides Award for Tolerance to former UN Special Coordinator Nikolay Mladenov, recognizing his longstanding efforts to advance peace, coexistence, and regional cooperation. Joining him was Ari Lightstone, with both serving on President Donald Trump’s Abraham Accords Peace Institute Board, whose work continues to build bridges throughout the Middle East.
One of the evening’s most moving moments came when Rabbi Levi Banon of Casablanca offered a heartfelt prayer for His Majesty King Mohammed VI of Morocco, standing alongside the Ambassadors of Morocco and the United Arab Emirates to the European Union—a powerful reflection of the spirit of cooperation fostered by the Abraham Accords. Chief Rabbi Albert Guigui of Brussels later led a prayer for peace and harmony among nations.
Throughout the gathering, participants emphasized the importance of expanding cooperation between Jewish communities, European institutions, and the Muslim world, while promoting religious freedom, mutual respect, and peaceful coexistence.
The event also provided opportunities for discussions with European Commissioners, Members of the European Parliament, ambassadors, and senior EU officials on issues affecting Jewish communities, interfaith relations, and regional stability.
The Brussels mission concluded with a breakfast hosted by Rabbi Menachem Margolin, Chairman of the European Jewish Association (EJA) and the Rabbinical Centre of Europe (RCE), at the EJA headquarters. The gathering provided an opportunity for participants to exchange perspectives on the future of Jewish life in Europe and in Muslim-majority countries, strengthen cooperation between their communities, and continue the dialogue initiated during the ARIS meetings.
The organizers expressed special appreciation to Mrs. Nechama Tawil of the European Jewish Community Centre (EJCC) for coordinating the logistics that helped make the landmark gathering a success.
