Qatar Emir hosts rabbis delegation to offer condolences on predecessor’s death

A delegation of senior rabbis from the Alliance of Rabbis in Islamic States visited Qatar’s Lusail Palace on Monday. Led by Rabbi Mendy Chitrik, chief Ashkenazi Rabbi of Istanbul, the group included Qatar’s Chief Rabbi Eliyahu Chitrik and Iran’s Chief Rabbi Yehuda Gerami. They were received by Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, along with the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and the Chief of the Amiri Diwan, Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Khulaifi. The purpose of the meeting was to convey condolences for the death of the former Emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.

The Emir thanked the delegation, emphasizing Qatar’s support for the Jewish community and the broader goal of inter‑faith coexistence. The Alliance, which represents rabbis serving roughly 110,000 Jews across 18 Muslim‑majority countries, highlighted the visit as a rare example of diplomatic and religious cooperation in the region.