0.7 km from the centre
The synagogue next to the mosque on the Keizerstraat
On the Keizerstraat in Paramaribo the Neveh Shalom synagogue of 1842 and the Ahmadiyya mosque stand directly next to each other on the same plot, and have done for over a hundred years. There are very few places in the world where that is true.
Check this Opening hours and entry prices in Suriname change without notice. Call or message ahead if you are coming specifically for this.
The Jewish congregation Neveh Shalom dates from 1723; the present timber building is from 1842 and has a sand floor, a practice descending from Sephardic tradition. The mosque next door belongs to the Surinamese Ahmadiyya community, largely descendants of Hindustani indentured labourers.
They share a plot and a car park, and there has never been trouble. That is the entire story, and it is precisely why it is worth seeing: nothing organised it, it simply grew that way.
Both buildings can sometimes be seen from the inside, depending on services and whether anyone is there. That cannot be planned; we phone ahead.
Frequently asked questions
Is there really a synagogue next to a mosque in Paramaribo?
Yes. On the Keizerstraat the Neveh Shalom synagogue (congregation from 1723, building from 1842) and the Ahmadiyya mosque stand directly next to each other and share the same plot. They have done so for over a hundred years.
Why does the synagogue have a sand floor?
The sand floor is a Sephardic practice found in several Caribbean synagogues, including on Curaçao. Explanations vary; the most commonly given is that it recalls the period when Jews in Spain and Portugal prayed in secret and sand muffled their footsteps.