5000 Jews attend pilgrimage

Morocco hosts one of the holiest Jewish shrines Rabat – Rachid Bougha Thousands of Jewish pilgrims, from Morocco, Israel and across the world participated in a pilgrimage to Asjen where an ancient Hebrew grave is located on the outskirts of the city of Ouezzane, central Morocco. The grave of Imrab Bndioan is one of the most important Jewish shrines.  Jews in Morocco are free to practice their religion despite a newly elected Islamist government, which insists it\'s secular. The opposition al-Ittihad al-Ishteraky (Socialist Union) newspaper said that 5000 Jews attended pilgrimage, most of them of Moroccan origin, to visit 1200 saints and monks buried there. During the Imran Ben Diwan pilgrimage, the prosperous live in small villas, while simple people live in houses of tin, and under a big olive tree. The shrine is for someone who is considered pious, a philanthropist and a person of integrity. The rituals take place over three days, and were attended by a number of official figures.