Fes, Morocco – Hundreds attended a grand celebration marking the completion of the restoration of 17th century Jewish synagogue Slat Alfassiyine in Fes yesterday. The event marked the first step in a 2011 promise made by King Mohammed VI to restore all of the kingdom’s synagogues.

Slat Alfassiyine is located in the famous El Mellah, the Mecca of Jewish culture in the Medina of Fes.

Jeune Afrique is reporting that (http://bit.ly/X7zwvu) representing the King at yesterday’s celebration was Moroccan Prime Minister, Abdelilah Benkirane, who called the event a celebration of ‘the richness and diversity of the spiritual elements’ that make up Morocco.

Reading a message from King Mohammed VI, the Prime Minister said, “The ancient tradition from which Moroccan civilization draws its essence is that Moroccans are deeply imbued with the values of coexistence, tolerance, and harmony among the various components of the nation.”

The King’s letter went on to celebrate Judaism in Moroccan culture, citing the community as playing a ‘crucial role in the nation’s identity.’

Also attending the event was Norbert Lammert, President of the Bundestag (German Federal Parliament), whose country contributed the bulk of the funding for the restoration.

Over 10,000 Jews called Fes home at the beginning of the twentieth century. Now, only about 3,000 remain in the entire country.