Visiting Judah Hyam Synagogue in New Delhi

Written By Nazhath Faheema


I visited the Judah Hyam Synagogue in New Delhi, India built in 1956. This synagogue serves a small but diverse Jewish community in Delhi, consisting of around ten families. Remarkably, the doors of this place of worship are open not only to Jewish individuals but also to those from non-Jewish backgrounds who wish to partake in its services.

Just before the commencement of Shabbat, I had the pleasure of meeting Mr Ezekiel Isaac Malekar. He holds the esteemed position of chief priest and serves as the honorary secretary of the Jewish Welfare Association. Beyond his dedication to upholding Jewish traditions, Rabbi Malekar is also a passionate advocate for interreligious dialogue. This was evident today as I witnessed his engaging discussions with members of the Hindu and Sikh communities. Additionally, he has initiated an interfaith study program to foster an understanding of the nine major religions commonly practised in India.

I extend my gratitude to Mr Isaac for his warm hospitality. During our interaction, he shared how he ensures the synagogue remains inclusive, considering its local context, and elaborated on his interfaith initiatives.

As the candle was lit to usher in Shabbat, I had the privilege of joining the community in their observance of the sacred services. During this time, one of the members shared a reflective insight into the story of Moses, a narrative that holds significance within the Quran, the holy scripture of Muslims.

What struck me most profoundly was Rabbi Ezekiel's use of terms like "namaaz" and "Dua," frequently associated with Islamic practices, as he communicated in Hindi. This experience illuminated the transformative power of language in shaping the hues and essence of interfaith dialogues.

Nazhath Faheema

Nazhath Faheema, a Singaporean Muslim of Indian descent, actively promotes interfaith dialogue. She holds a full-time position at an NGO where she focuses on organizing interfaith charity events. Additionally, she plays an active role in community development, particularly in developing youth leadership to foster social harmony.

Furthermore, Nazhath serves as an external lecturer at ESSEC Asia Pacific in Singapore. She teaches students from Europe and Asia regions on "Race & Religion in Singapore" and "Islam in Singapore."

Nazhath earned her Master of Science in Asian Studies from the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. She also holds a certificate in the Comparative Study of Religions in Plural Societies. Her research interests span various areas, including youth interfaith movements in Southeast Asia, Jewish-Muslim relations, interactions between Muslim-majority states and Israel, and interreligious dialogue in diplomacy.

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