Perceptions of the Holocaust in Europe and Muslim Communities

This book discusses the historical context of Holocaust commemoration, studying opinions among Muslims in Europe, as well as views on the Holocaust in Turkey, Arab countries and Iran. Case studies explore problematic views among both Muslims and non-Muslims.

The way people think about the Holocaust is changing. The particular nature of the transformation depends on people's historical perspectives and how they position themselves and their nation or community vis-à-vis the tragedy. Understandably, European Muslims perceive the Holocaust as less central to their history than do other Europeans. Yet while the acknowledgement and commemoration of the horrors of the Holocaust are increasingly important in Europe, Holocaust denial and biased views on the Holocaust are widespread in European Muslims' countries of origin.

In this book, a number of distinguished scholars and educators of various backgrounds discuss views of the Holocaust. Problematic views are often influenced by a persistent attitude of Holocaust denial which is derived, in part, from discourses in the Muslim communities in their countries of origin. The essays collected here explore the backgrounds of these perceptions and highlight positive approaches and developments. Many of the contributions were written by people working in the field and reflecting on their experiences. This collection also reveals that problematic views of the Holocaust are not limited to Muslim communities.

In depth historical perspectives on Holocaust perceptions and collective memory Up to date empirical case studies from a number of countries in Europe, the Middle East, and Turkey Investigation on relations between Holocaust perceptions and antisemitism Original reseach on the topic by distinguished scholars to educators

Autorentext
Joëlle Allouche-Benayoun, Soziologin, ist Associate Professor und Mitarbeiterin der Groupe Sociétés, Religions, Laïcités am CNRS. Dr. phil. Günther Jikeli, Historiker, ist Director des International Institute for Education and Research on Antisemitism in London sowie Fellow der Groupe Sociétés, Religions, Laïcités am CNRS in Paris.

Inhalt
Introduction, J. Allouche-Benayoun, G. Jikeli.- History aside?- Juliane Wetzel: Antisemitism and Holocaust Remembrance, G. Bensoussan.- Participation of European Muslim Organisations in Holocaust Commemorations, M. Whine.- The Evolution of Arab Perceptions of the Holocaust, E. Webman.- Perceptions of the Holocaust in Turkey, R.N. Bali.- Anti-Semitism and the Politics of Holocaust Memorial Day in the UK and Italy, P. Spencer, S.V. di Palma.- 'Hamas, Hamas, all Jews to the Gas.' The History and Significance of an Antisemitic Slogan in the Netherlands, 1945-2010, E. Gans.- Perceptions of the Holocaust among young Muslims in Berlin, Paris and London, G. Jikeli.- History and Memory of the Other: An Experimental Encounter-Program with Israeli Jews and Palestinians from Israel, M. Eckmann.- Speach Acts. Observing Antisemitism and Holocaust Education in the Netherlandsm R. Ensel, A. Stremmelaar.- Challenges and Opportunities of Educational Concepts concerning National Socialist Crimes in German Immigration Society, M. Can, K. Georg and R. Hatlapa.