Destroy a mosque, and there is international condemnation and outrage. Destroy a synagogue and the world is silent.

Decent people of the world were horrified by the destruction of the gold domed mosque in Samrra, Iraq last week.Statements of condemnation came from around the world.

President Bush stated, "I extend my deepest condolences to the people of Iraq for the brutal bombing of the Golden Mosque in Samarra....The American people pledge to work with the people of Iraq to rebuild and restore the Golden Mosque of Samarra to its former glory. He added: "The United States stands ready to do all in its power to assist the Government of Iraq to identify and bring to justice those responsible for this terrible act."

On the same day the mosque was bombed, the government of Tajikistan destroyed the country's only synagogue and Jewish center to make way for a presidential palace, and not a single word was uttered against it.

Indeed, it has hardly been mentioned. Google reports 2,930 news articles about the mosque destruction today, as opposed to only six exist on the synagogue destruction and those six are really just one brief mention that has been repeated through syndication in American newspapers.SignOnSanDiego.com > News > World -- Authorities in Tajikistan begin demolishing country's only synagogue

Tajikistan is 85% Muslim, a country situated north of Afghanistan and south of Russia, but it has an active community of 250 Bukharian Jews. The Jewish community has been in the area surrounding Tajikistan for 2000 years.The only synagogue in the country was destroyed so the government can build a grand palace for its president. "If the Jews want to have [rebuild] a synagogue, let them pay for it out of their own funds," said Shamsuddin Nuriddinov, head of the City of Dushanbe, Religious Affairs Department.

When news of the destruction of the Tajikistan synagogue reached the Bukharian community in the United States, the news was met with shock; people whose children were brought up in that synagogue reacted in tears. Members of the Bukharian community in Atlanta, Georgia stated they worry about the Jewish cemeteries that are near the synagogue. No one knows what will happen to them.

Not one statement was made by any government of any country around the world condemning this wanton destruction and anti-Semitic bigotry.

Thanks to my long time friend and correspondant Joyce C. for bringing this to my attention.