November 29, 2012

JERUSALEM (JTA) — A Jewish woman in the central Iranian city of Isfahan was murdered in what her family is calling a religiously motivated attack, Israeli media are reporting.

The woman, 57, was murdered in her home and her body was mutilated on Nov. 26, according to the reports.

The victim, identified as Tuba N., lived next door to a newly constructed mosque that worshipers wanted to expand, the Times of Israel reported. The newspaper cited Menashe Amir, an expert on Iranian Jewry who said he spoke with the victim’s family. The woman had appealed to the authorities about the attempts to take over her home, according to Israel Radio.

Fewer than 100 Jewish families live in Isfahan, Iran’s third largest city, according to the Times. 

Jewish Iranian lawmaker Siamak Mareh-Sedq told Iran’s Press TV that the murder was the result of a burglary in which jewelry and cash were stolen from the woman’s home. He told Press TV that the nearest mosque is located three alleys away. The report said Isfahan is home to “thousands of Jews.”
 

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