Thread by @FaizanFakhar6

History of Pakistani Jews - The lost tribe. 🧵

It may come as surprise to many but Pakistan used to be home to a thriving Jewish community whose history dates back to the 19th century.

The first recorded migration of jews to Pakistan puts them around mid 19th century, when Pakistan used to be a part of United India. Most of the Jewish families fled Persia and settled in this land, while some moved from Afghanistan and Central Asia too.(Photo 2:Chaim Teitler)

Pakistan Jewish community is also related to the Indian Jews, known as Bene Israel. Bene Israel is considered by some to be one of the Ten lost Tribes of Jews. They migrated from villages in the Konkan region to Mumbai, Pune, Ahmedabad, and Karachi in 19th century.

At the time of Partition, Karachi hosted the largest Jewish community of Pakistan with a population of 1,000 to 2,500. A synagogue was established in Karachi in 1893 (Magain Shalome Synagogue). For more details on this, refer to this amazing thread:

https://twitter.com/afzaque/status/1069390546135891969?t=wKhnQJ5EnqVAjzClyE28ig&s=19

There is also a Jewish cemetery in Karachi, known as Bani Israel Graveyard, having graves from as early as 1812 and 1814 with a vast majority from the 1950s. The last burial took place in 1987. The cemetery receives anonymous visitors to this day.

A considerable Jewish community resided in Rawalpindi and Peshawar as well. Depictions of David Star can be clearly observed in the following pictures of a plaque and architecture in the old walled city of Peshawar.

Pakistani Jewish community also had some prominent figures. Moses Somake, an architect known for designing several buildings in Karachi including Edward House, BVS Parsi High School, Karachi Goan Association building, Khaliq Dina Hall, Mules Mansion and Quaid-e-Azam House.

Before 2017 general elections, Election Commission of Pakistan reported around 900 Jews registered as voters. NDRA also reported 745 Jewish families registered in its database in 2017. However, accuracy and transparency of these stats are contested by some.

Majority of Pakistai Jews are currently living in Ramla, India, Canada and US. A synagogue was also established in Ramla with the name Magain Shalome Synagogue (the name of old Karachi Synagogue).

Sources: 1.tribune.com.pk/article/32513/…
2.dawn.com/news/1312059
3.newslinemagazine.com/magazine/karac…