In the city of Kolkata, India, the synagogues are being maintained and preserved by Muslim caretakers, highlighting a unique bond of harmony amidst the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. Despite the violence and destruction in Israel and Gaza, the synagogues remain untouched by the conflict, thanks to the dedication of these caretakers.
Kolkata, formerly known as Calcutta, was once home to a thriving Jewish community, with synagogues bustling with activity. However, today, the Jewish population in the city has dwindled to just 20 individuals, and the number of synagogues has reduced from five to three. Yet, the caretakers of these synagogues have remained a constant presence for over two centuries.
These caretakers, all of whom are Muslims, come from a village called Kakatpur in the neighboring state of Odisha, about 500km away from Kolkata. They have inherited their roles from previous generations and live on the synagogue premises, occasionally visiting their families. Their daily responsibilities include cleaning, dusting, and ensuring the proper functioning of the synagogues.
Despite being aware of the horrors of the Israel-Hamas conflict, the Muslim caretakers have not faced any pressure from their families or the community for working at the synagogues. They view the synagogues as houses of God, just like their own mosques. The caretakers emphasize that they will continue to care for these places of worship regardless of the ongoing conflict.
Masood Hussain, the lone caretaker of Neveh Shalome, Kolkata’s oldest synagogue, explains that while he regularly attends prayers at a local mosque, nobody has questioned his connection to the Jewish community. Similarly, Anwar Khan, the chief caretaker of the Maghen David Synagogue, affirms the shared respect between Muslims and Jews, stating, “For me, this [synagogue] is the house of ‘Khuda’ [God] just like our own ‘Khuda ka ghar’ [mosque].”
The strong bond between Muslims and Jews in Kolkata dates back to the early 1800s when the city attracted Jewish immigrants from Iraq and Iran. Kolkata was a thriving hub for trade, attracting various communities, including Jews, Parsis, Armenians, and Chinese. However, with the establishment of Israel in 1948 and the ensuing communal riots in India, many Jews left Kolkata, resulting in a significant decline in the community.
David Ashkenazy, a board member of multiple synagogues in Kolkata, acknowledges the historical connection between the Muslim caretakers and the Jewish community, despite the distance and cultural differences. He suggests that the shared experience of being strangers in a new land and similarities in dietary laws contributed to this unique bond.
The amity between Muslims and Jews in Kolkata extends beyond the synagogues. The city’s Jewish Girls’ School, founded in 1881, enrolls mostly Muslim students, showcasing the harmonious coexistence between the two communities. Navras Jaat Aafreedi, an assistant professor of history, explains that the absence of idol worship and similar dietary restrictions played a role in fostering this friendship.
While the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict weighs heavily on the caretakers’ minds, they emphasize that their faith does not teach them to hate. Sheikh Gufran, the oldest caretaker at Maghen David Synagogue, prays for all religious groups affected by the war, expressing hope for an end to their suffering.
The unique relationship between the Muslim caretakers and the shrinking Jewish community in Kolkata serves as a beacon of hope, symbolizing the possibility of peaceful coexistence amid global conflicts. Their commitment to preserving the synagogues illustrates the power of unity and mutual respect, transcending religious boundaries even in times of adversity.
