Holocaust Museums in Muslim Countries: A ‘Small’ But ‘Very Important’ Light

Monday, 27 January 2025 | Three Muslim nations who either have or will have Holocaust museums or exhibits were highlighted as a promising development in the face of rising antisemitism by a Tel Aviv University (TAU) press release on Sunday, the day before International Holocaust Remembrance Day.

“Holocaust denial and the flourishing of antisemitic propaganda in the Muslim world are not just distortions of history but also encouragements to violence. The museums established and being established in the Muslim world are ‘a small amount of light,’ but this small amount is very important,” Professor Uriya Shavit, Head of the Center for the Study of Contemporary European Jewry, was quoted as saying in the TAU press release.

The “For A Righteous Cause” research report promoted in the press release include the permanent “We Remember” exhibition on the Holocaust and Righteous Among the Nations at the Museum of the Crossroads of Civilizations in Dubai. The exhibit has documentation of Nazi history and crimes against Jews, as well as information on Muslims who saved Jews during the Holocaust. Businessman and collector Ahmed Al Mansuri, who established the exhibit two years ago, told the TAU researchers that 2,500 people from the United Arab Emirates and other nearby states—and thousands of local school students—have visited.

Al Mansuri’s comments in the interview for the TAU report, paraphrased by the press release, “emphasized…the uniqueness of Nazi crimes and the importance of Arab educators teaching about the Holocaust and its lessons. He noted that following October 7, he has not received threats or demands to close the museum.”

Closure demands have faced local Rabbi Ya’akov Baruch on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi, who established the “Indonesian Holocaust Museum” in the world’s largest Muslim nation two years ago. The TAU press release noted that Islamic leaders wanted the museum closed and even accused Baruch of “whitewashing” alleged Israeli “crimes”.

Despite the pressure, Baruch told the TAU researchers he clarified to those opposing him the museum was not connected to Israel and not only has kept the museum open, but it has had approximately 2,000 visitors. The museum includes documentation of Nazi atrocities and information on neo-antisemitism and Holocaust denial.

Two museums are being built in Albania—each in a different city—the Besa Museum and the Museum of the History of Albanian Jews. The TAU press release noted that the Besa Museum “celebrates the ancient Albanian moral code obligating the protection of neighbors and guests, which was central to Albania’s unique rescue efforts during the Holocaust.”

Following the October 7 terror massacre launched against Israel by the Palestinian Hamas terrorist organization, antisemitism has spiked worldwide amidst a disturbing wave of anti-Israel rhetoric and policies. Given diplomatic challenges between Israel and Muslim nations, who often have domestic pressure to back Palestinian terrorists against Israel, other nations will be key to support Holocaust education in the Islamic world.

Dr. Carl Yonker, Senior Researcher and Project Manager at the Center for the Study of Contemporary European Jewry, said in the press release, “Direct or indirect support from Israel for these museums would harm them, but it is appropriate for international institutions to offer such support and insist on eradicating Holocaust denial from educational institutions in Muslim countries, as everywhere else.”