New Museums Commemorating the Holocaust in Muslim Countries

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The Indonesian Holocaust Museum on Sulawesi Island, December 2023.

Amid the recent surge in global antisemitism, the For A Righteous Cause report, now in its fourth year and published by the Center for the Study of Contemporary European Jewry at Tel Aviv University, sheds light on an inspiring development: the emergence of Holocaust and heroism museums and exhibitions in Muslim-majority countries.

Remarkably, these initiatives have continued even after the October 7 massacre and the rise in antisemitic propaganda across the Muslim world. Notable examples include the “Indonesian Holocaust Museum” on Sulawesi Island, the permanent exhibition “We Remember” at the Museum of the Crossroads of Civilizations in Dubai, and two upcoming museums in Albania—the “Besa Museum” and the Museum of the History of Albanian Jews, under construction in Tirana and Vlora, respectively.

The 80-page report, authored by a team of nine experts, highlights both government-led and private efforts to commemorate the Holocaust and acts of heroism, address antisemitism, and combat racism more broadly. It also provides policy recommendations to enhance these initiatives.

Prof. Uriya Shavit / Tel Aviv University

Professor Uriya Shavit, Head of the Center for the Study of Contemporary European Jewry, describes Holocaust denial and the rise of antisemitic propaganda in the Muslim world as not only historical distortions but also incitement to violence. He emphasizes that the emergence of Holocaust museums in Muslim-majority countries, while a “small amount of light,” carries immense importance. Dr. Carl Yonker, Senior Researcher and Project Manager at the Center, highlights that any direct or indirect support from Israel could jeopardize these museums but suggests international institutions should provide assistance and advocate for the eradication of Holocaust denial in educational systems worldwide.

The “Indonesian Holocaust Museum,” located in the world’s largest Muslim-majority country, showcases visual and written documentation of Nazi atrocities, including a replica of a concentration camp bunk bed. Opened two years ago by Rabbi Ya‘akov Baruch, a Dutch-descended local rabbi, the museum faced backlash from leading Islamic figures, who accused him of promoting a Zionist agenda. Rabbi Baruch addressed the criticism through dialogue, emphasizing that the museum is unaffiliated with Israel or Zionism, which allowed it to continue operating. To date, approximately 2,000 people, including school groups, have visited, although attendance remains inconsistent.

In Dubai, the permanent Holocaust memorial exhibition, established by businessman and collector Ahmed Al Mansuri, highlights the history of Nazism and the stories of Muslims who saved Jews during the Holocaust. A central display features a trilingual quote from the Mishnah: “Whoever saves a single soul is as if they have saved an entire world.” Since its opening two years ago, the exhibition has attracted around 2,500 visitors from the UAE and Gulf states, as well as thousands of local schoolchildren. Al Mansuri notes that only one school group has declined to visit, even after the events of October 7. He underscores the uniqueness of Nazi crimes and advocates for Arab educators to teach the Holocaust and its lessons, emphasizing that he has faced no threats or closure demands since the recent escalation.

Meanwhile, the “Besa Museum” under construction in Tirana, Albania, celebrates the Albanian moral code of “Besa,” which emphasizes the protection of neighbors and guests. This code played a key role in Albania’s efforts to rescue Jews during the Holocaust.

The report also explores cultural and historical perspectives, including an article on the portrayal of Judaism in the 1990s sitcom  Seinfeld. It highlights how the show, particularly episodes addressing the Holocaust and antisemitism, reflected a period when American Jews, including Jerry Seinfeld himself, felt deeply integrated into American identity. However, the report notes a shift in recent years, with Seinfeld publicly supporting Israel after the events of October 7, marking a departure from his previously apolitical stance.

Additional articles examine topics such as the new National Holocaust Memorial Museum in the Netherlands, the story of Gibraltar’s Jewish community in response to anti-Zionist protests, and the identity struggles of Jewish youth in Britain and the US amid the current geopolitical climate. The report also recounts the journey of a young American who transformed from leading a white supremacist movement to becoming an advocate against racism and antisemitism.

A special interview with Sir Max Hastings, a prominent British historian of the Second World War, rounds out the report. Hastings calls for a fundamental shift in how the Holocaust is taught in Western schools, warning against the West’s reluctance to confront mounting security threats to its institutions and sovereignty.