This is the first Holocaust exhibition to be held in the Arab world

A Holocaust memorial exhibit, heralded as a groundbreaking first, has opened its doors in the United Arab Emirates.

Kathrin Meyer, Secretary General of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, shared with Dinogo, 'The unparalleled nature of the Holocaust will forever carry a universal significance.'

'As we witness the passing of Holocaust survivors, the role of memorials and museums becomes increasingly vital to ensure this atrocity is never forgotten,' she added.

The 'We Remember' exhibition at the Crossroads of Civilizations Museum in Dubai presents powerful personal accounts from Holocaust survivors and was opened to the public last month.

Rabbi Elie Abadie, the senior rabbi at the Jewish Council of the Emirates, highlights the immense importance of this new permanent exhibition, as nothing like it has ever been presented in the region before.

'While most people in the Middle East are aware that the Holocaust occurred, the topic is seldom discussed or studied. Now, as the region opens up, this exhibition honors the past and serves as a public acknowledgment of history,' he explains.

He points out that a similar form of persecution occurred in the 1940s across Middle Eastern countries, where Arab Jews in Libya, Tunisia, and Iraq suffered because of Nazi-influenced ideologies.

He adds that Hitler’s hateful beliefs spread beyond Europe, and it is crucial for those living in or visiting this region to understand this historical context.

'A journey through history.'

The museum displays artworks from various civilizations and cultures across multiple centuries. Given its broad scope, the curators believe it's only natural for this new exhibit to be featured here.

The aim is to educate and foster awareness about the Holocaust among the diverse population of over 200 nationalities in Dubai.

The single-room exhibition, located alongside the museum's other six galleries, takes visitors through the history of the Holocaust, offering perspectives from those who experienced it firsthand.

During the Holocaust, the Nazis murdered over six million Jews, along with millions of others including disabled individuals, LGBT people, political dissidents, and various religious and ethnic minorities.

Ahmed Obaid Almansoori, the Emirati founder of the private museum, believes the time is right to open a Holocaust exhibition in the region.

'The Holocaust was a crime against humanity, and such an event must be viewed in its own right. A museum is not a place for politics; it's a journey through history,' said one of the curators.

Yael Grafy, one of the curators of the exhibition, shared her excitement about the opportunity to educate people from around the world about these historical events.

'This exhibition serves as a comprehensive guide to the Holocaust. It answers questions you may have had but never dared ask, like 'What exactly is a death camp?', 'Did the Nazis intend to kill Jews from the outset?', and 'What does the term 'Final Solution' really mean?'

Peter Fischer, Germany’s Ambassador to the UAE, remarked during the official opening, 'The Holocaust is an everlasting stain on my country’s history,' expressing his pride in the exhibition’s presence.

'I commend the UAE for its commitment to tolerance. The path of intolerance leads to immense suffering, even disaster. And I speak from the experience of a German,' he added.

'Every child had a story to tell,'

The exhibition's grand opening was initially scheduled for April 8, coinciding with the 80th Holocaust Remembrance Day. However, due to Covid-19 travel restrictions, the ambassador and other key attendees were unable to attend, leading to a postponement of the event.

At the heart of the exhibit stands a life-sized image of a young boy from the iconic 'Warsaw Ghetto Boy' photograph. His image is surrounded by authentic World War II-era weapons from the museum's collection, aimed at evoking discomfort and emphasizing the enormity of this tragic event, according to the curators.

'1.5 million children perished in the Holocaust during World War II,' Grafy remarks. 'Our aim is to show that each child had their own story.'

The exhibition also includes excerpts from Anne Frank’s diary, one of the most widely recognized personal accounts of the Holocaust.

One section of the exhibition highlights the efforts of Arabs and Muslims who helped save Jews during the Holocaust, showcasing the rich history of coexistence among Arabs, Muslims, Christians, and Jews in the 20th century.

'When discussing the Holocaust and the Arab world, there are many differing viewpoints,' says Almansoori. 'We want to share the many positive stories of Arabs and Muslims who helped Jews, stories that are often unknown but vital for education.'

In 1943, hundreds of Jews found refuge in Albania, where the majority-Muslim population welcomed them. The exhibition honors Albania’s sacred tradition of 'Besa' ('word of honor'), which emphasizes protecting others in times of need, regardless of their background.

'Albania is the only country where the Jewish population actually increased after the Holocaust,' says Grafy.

'My duty to mankind.'

Another story honors the bravery of Selahattin Ulkumen, Turkey's Consul General on the Greek island of Rhodes during the German occupation in World War II.

In 1944, a small Jewish community of around 1,700 people, including some Turkish Jews, lived on the island, facing the threat of extermination. Ulkumen, according to the exhibition, managed to save over 42 Jews but paid a heavy price: the Germans bombed his home, killing his pregnant wife.

When asked about his actions, Ulkumen simply responded, 'All I did was fulfill my duty to humanity.'

The most remarkable story, according to Grafy, is that of Mohamed Helmy, an Egyptian doctor studying in Berlin, who saved several Jews from persecution. One of them was a young girl named Anna Boros, whom he later adopted.

He became the first Arab to be honored as 'Righteous Among the Nations' by Yad Vashem, Israel’s official Holocaust memorial.

At the conclusion of the exhibition’s section, there is a Quranic verse displayed in Arabic and translated into English: 'Whoever saves a life, it is as if he has saved all of humanity.'

Grafy explains that this saying is part of Jewish tradition and is spoken in Hebrew.

'It means that if everyone performs acts of kindness, they can bring light and hope to the world,' she explains. This story has been updated to clarify that this is the first Holocaust exhibition held in the Arab world.

Correction: The original version of this story included a headline that inaccurately described the region as the first to host a Holocaust exhibition.