Baghdad's Shrine of Rabbi Isaac Gaon restored after decades of neglect - in pictures

Iraqi workers restore the shrine of the the 10th century Jewish Rabbi Isaac Gaon in central Baghdad's Al Kifah neighbourhood. All photos: AFP
Iraqi workers restore the shrine of the the 10th century Jewish Rabbi Isaac Gaon in central Baghdad's Al Kifah neighbourhood. All photos: AFP
Labourers repair the centuries-old shrine of the revered rabbi in an effort to revive the long-faded heritage of Iraq's Jewish community
Labourers repair the centuries-old shrine of the revered rabbi in an effort to revive the long-faded heritage of Iraq's Jewish community
A security guard opens the door of the Meir Taweig Synagogue in the Baghdad's Bataween district
A security guard opens the door of the Meir Taweig Synagogue in the Baghdad's Bataween district
The interior of the Meir Taweig Synagogue
The interior of the Meir Taweig Synagogue
Menorah candlesticks on the bimah (reading dais) of the Meir Taweig Synagogue
Menorah candlesticks on the bimah (reading dais) of the Meir Taweig Synagogue
Iraq's Jewish community was once one of the largest in the Middle East, but it has now dwindled to just dozens
Iraq's Jewish community was once one of the largest in the Middle East, but it has now dwindled to just dozens
A picture of Dr Dhafer Fuad Eliyahu, who died in 2021 and was one of the last remaining Jews in Baghdad, on the wall of the Meir Taweig Synagogue
A picture of Dr Dhafer Fuad Eliyahu, who died in 2021 and was one of the last remaining Jews in Baghdad, on the wall of the Meir Taweig Synagogue
Baghdad today has one synagogue left, and many houses that once belonged to Jews are abandoned and dilapidated
Baghdad today has one synagogue left, and many houses that once belonged to Jews are abandoned and dilapidated