Arabs, Jews give life to "Little Tunis" in Paris

By Brian Rohan

PARIS (Reuters Life!) - On the map, it's a tiny strip of eastern Paris along Boulevard de Belleville. But for the Tunisian immigrants who call it home, the packed Arabic-and Hebrew-lettered storefronts mark out 'Little Tunis.'

In a country where relations between Arabs and Jews is often cool, the neighborhood is an island of peaceful coexistence where bakeries, grills and butcher shops sit side-by-side preparing food according to Muslim and Jewish dietary laws.

For the first time in years, Muslims are observing the holy month of Ramadan, when they fast from dawn to dusk, at the same time as the Jewish high holidays when Jews observe the holiest day of their calendar, the Day of Atonement fast day.

Eighty year-old Maurice Cohen, who has lived here for 25 years, said both religions were observing a time of reflection and solemnity side by side in Little Tunis.

"Despite what goes on in the Middle East, this is a Tunisian neighborhood par excellence, an example of good neighborly relations," he said.

Many of the customs here are similar, brought over to France from North Africa.

At the Arab-owned Lamama pastry shop, a queue of people spill onto the street as bakers rush to keep up with orders for honey-soaked baklava, almond-stuffed cakes, and hot beignets.

"We sell pretty much the same stuff as our Jewish neighbors& these Oriental pastries even have the same names, just a different touch," said Amara Amani, whose family also runs another restaurant in the neighborhood.