Monday, July 16, 2007

THE SYNAGOGUE HOLDING THE TRADITIONAL TOMB OF THE PROPHET NAHUM in northern Iraq is slated for renovation:
Antiquities Department to renovate synagogue holding Nahum’s tomb

By Ammar Imad

Azzaman, July 15, 2007

The Antiquities Department has included an ancient synagogue where Biblical prophet Nahum is purportedly buried in its 2008 renovation plans.

“The Antiquities Department has added the tomb of Prophet Nahum, peace be on him, to its 2008 preservation plan,” said department’s chief, Abbas al-Hussaini.

The synagogue and the tomb are situated in the northern Christian Iraqi town of al-Qoush, 40 kilometers north of Mosul.

Al-Qoush, a major Christian center in northern Iraq, had a large Jewish community before the Jewish exodus to Palestine in 1948.

The renovation of the synagogue and the tomb, archaeologists say, is an urgent matter. Some scientists say the synagogue might be irreparably damaged.

The department has put off the renovation of the tomb mainly because it lacked the right expertise and resources to have it refurbished and reconstructed.

[...]
UPDATE (19 July): More here, including photos.