Don't even bother to try and label Mehnaz Afridi. A professor in religious studies, Afridi is a Pakistani Muslim who has been the director of the Holocaust, Genocide and Interfaith Education Center in New York (HGI) since 2011. She researches and teaches the Holocaust, genocide and Islam from a multi-cultural perspective.
This year, due to the coronavirus, the March of the Living in Poland did not take place, and Afridi was invited to participate in a virtual ceremony for the International March of the Living. This is how I came to know her, a warm and impressive woman. Her book, Shoah Through Muslim Eyes (2017, a series edited by Michael Berenbaum), offers a unique and fascinating perspective on this chapter in history. In these times of factionism and strife, Afridi's devotion to the topic of the Holocaust, her continued activism for reconciliation and her commitment to interfaith dialogue are moving.
When I delved into researching the Holocaust, I understood the need for the State of Israel.
Afridi has traveled across the Middle East, Western Europe and the US throughout her life. It seems like the seminal paradigm in her identity is that of the other and foreignness. A sense of detachment and discrimination are not foreign to her and are a central part of her biography: "I was born in Karachi to a Muslim Pakistani family. My father worked in international banking. That means our family had to migrate often. In 1984 we moved to Scarsdale, New York, where I finished high school. In most of the schools I attended, I was the only Muslim. Dark skinned, with a different language and culture.
"In Switzerland, I felt 'too dark'. In Dubai, I was an outsider. In New York, I was a Pakistani. I knew racism. In some of the schools, I became friends with Jews, who also stood out for being different. As time went on, I became more curious about Jews."
Q: Do you come from a religious home?
"My mother was religious. My father was a believer, but secular and more relaxed. I keep customs, fast during Ramadan, I don't wear a hijab. I pray, since praying is like meditation for me."
Q: How does a Muslim woman become so interested in the Holocaust and end up scientifically researching it?
"I did my Masters in religious studies at Syracuse University. Almost by accident, I became a teaching assistant to Alan Berger [a veteran Holocaust researcher who was a professor in the religious studies department – RT]. In his lessons, I was exposed deeply to the Holocaust. I completed my doctorate at the University of South Africa. Michael Berenbaum, an orthodox rabbi and researcher of the Holocaust, was also one of my mentors. That's how I found myself studying Judaism, researching the many points where Judaism and Islam meet, and finding how the concept of God is so similar. My interest in the Holocaust grew and I began to understand the need for the State of Israel."
'This is the degree of humanity'
She shares with me a defining moment in her life. The summer of 2007 when she was invited to speak at a conference in Munich, after which she felt the need to visit Dachau, the death camp in Germany. "I always wanted to visit the camps," Afridi says, "and in Dachau, I felt an emptiness, everything was exposed, the white rocks were blinding. I was holding my newborn baby daughter, her crying echoed inside me, and I asked myself what were you thinking, why did you bring her to Dachau?
"I stood in the crematorium and prayer spontaneously rose inside me from the Koran (2:156) that is said when a person passes away. I wanted to give the dead the respect they deserved. The meaning of the prayer is that 'we belong to God, and to Him do we indeed return'.
"I didn't realize then how that powerful moment would define me. I didn't know exactly why I wanted to visit Dachau. Maybe as a Muslim witness, to tell of the rage over Holocaust denial in the Muslim world and to raise attention to the dangers of ignoring history. I felt a responsibility for the dead, to be a voice for them in the Muslim world. I found myself looking into my daughter's eyes, feeling that remembering these horrors is the only way to avoid this happening again to anyone. In Islam, human dignity is a right given by God to all people, as those who accept the divinity across the world, whether a person is dead or alive (as is exemplified in the Koran, such as Surah 5:31).
"Unfortunately, the Holocaust is not taught in Muslim communities. Muslims are aware of the Holocaust but it's not part of the curriculum. I wanted to bridge these stories to Muslims. To tell my community: 'accept the Holocaust, recognize the pain.' It may not be your pain, but it is the pain of humanity.
"I've seen attempts in the Muslim community to refute the Holocaust, to distort history and numbers. My research was born out of this Holocaust denial and the relativism towards it. It hurt me as a Muslim, not only as an intellectual. I wanted to give the Holocaust the mantle of Islamic ethical justice."
Q: How did your family and friends react to your choice?
"My father died 20 years ago. My mother found it hard at first. She wondered why I didn't study a normative field. At first, she feared Muslim extremists. Today she supports me and has even come with me to Israel. I have two children, and as a mother, I can understand the motives. My children read books and watch movies about the Holocaust. They have close Jewish friends. I do not believe in occlusion but in exposure to a diverse environment. This is the way I wanted to live and raise my children, in religious freedom with understanding and tolerance for the other. In my eyes, this is the degree of humanity."
For her book, Afridi interviewed survivors over the years.
Q: What is the added value of a Muslim interviewing a Holocaust survivor?
"I'm not another Jew or Israeli asking for their testimony. As a Muslim I felt that I wanted to interview the Holocaust survivors myself. One of the survivors, for example, decided that he no longer wanted to be interviewed, but when he heard I was Muslim he got very excited, changed his mind and spoke with me. The interviewees were curious about me and my religion. I keep in touch with many of the survivors, I visit their homes, eat with them on holidays, a close connection was forged. The view of Islam is based on a warped perspective given by the media. I let them meet with Muslim students and you can immediately see the difference in how people react to each other. These things define me and my life, these are the transformations I yearn for."
Q: In your book and research, Islam is the fundamental model through which you observe the Holocaust, by using the Koran and Hadith.
"Indeed, I am a Muslim dealing with the Holocaust of the Jews, and therefore my perspective is different. The soft and tolerant voices of Islam are not heard enough. The message of Islam was always universal: promote tolerance, equality, and acceptance of other faiths and cultures. That and moreover, the Koran says that if you are exposed to false testimony, even from your own people – you must rise against it and stand for justice. Through Islam, my ethical responsibility towards humanity, as God has commanded, is not to tolerate false testimony (4:135). Therefore, it is my duty as a Muslim to condemn Holocaust denial; also, history must be known, if you disconnect Islam from its roots you miss similar stories, the shared heroes, traditions, and sisters. Therefore, I am committed to the Holocaust, it's strange, but that's how it is."
Q: Who reacted more harshly: Muslims or Jews?
"Both. I'm interested precisely in these junctions of Judaism and Islam. My appointment to head the Holocaust center was controversial in both communities, unfortunately, they don't trust each other enough. In Muslim circles they asked why I don't study Islamic issues, why I don't write about the Palestinians; and it wasn't easy for the Jews as well. When I took the job, it was the first time in history that a Muslim woman was chosen to head any Holocaust center in the world. It was an unusual decision that evoked opposition, such as 'it would be better to give the job to a neo-Nazi' or 'a Muslim chosen to direct the center will diminish the Holocaust as a seminal event for Jews.'"
These reactions broke her heart, and also made her feel how important it was for her to bring change. With time, thanks to her research and personal interactions, more people in the community began to trust her. Even the more extreme elements were impressed: "In time they learned to understand my activism against anti-Semitism. Today I have Jewish friends whom I treat like family."
Q: You are a woman, a Muslim woman, a Muslim woman dealing with the Holocaust, and an intellectual making her way in academia. Is it a lonely journey?
"I'm fighting on two fronts. I'm drawing Muslim students to study the Holocaust: Albanians, Pakistanis, Syrians, Iraqis, Saudis. The male Muslim students have the most difficult time with me. But I have a lot of support from Muslims and Jews, such as the women's fraternity 'Salaam-Shalom'."
Q: The Holocaust is a seminal event in Jewish modern history that you think Muslims should know more about. What should Jews learn about Muslims to understand them better, what are our blind spots as Jews?
"We are 1.5 billion Muslims spread around the world. Islam has many colors. There is Muslim aggressiveness, like the Taliban, Hamas. But there are millions of silent Muslims, suffering victims, like in China, Bosnia, Kashmir. Muslims are treated as an extreme group, as troublemakers. As Muslims we also are victims of stereotyping, of Islamophobia. Even when I brought a group of 52 women to Auschwitz, some of them Muslims, we encountered anti-Muslim revelations."
Afridi also deals with the Muslim Chinese minority of Uyghurs, of which China is holding in forced labor camps en masse. "They've been through abuse and rape of women and children. There is a silenced suffering of Muslims around the world. There are many 'pockets' of discriminated Muslim minorities, and many times it's the non-Arab Muslims. In Islam there is a hierarchy: The Arabs are on top, then the Asians and at the bottom are the Africans. A racist Muslim hierarchy. The Arabs see themselves as the 'pure Muslims', the pure receivers of the message, since the Koran was delivered in Arabia. But most Muslims are Asians and the minority are disadvantaged Africans."
The tensions surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict definitely complicate the way the Holocaust is perceived. Afridi mentions Prof. Mohammed Dajani Daoudi from Al-Quds University, who in 2014 initiated a tour of Palestinian students to Auschwitz, for the first time ever. He received death threats and was forced to pack up and escape to the U.S.
Q: Is it easier for a non-Arab Muslim to teach the Holocaust?
"Maybe. There is more Holocaust denial in the Middle East, due to the tension with Israel. It's a painful discussion, submerged in political propaganda. There's an identity competition over the narrative, while everyone has a place in memory. By understanding the Holocaust we can improve the dialogue between us. We must show empathy outside our identity. It doesn't mean you lose your faith by doing so, but you become more aware of the sensitivities of other faiths and cultures. That is the only way to grow, to progress."
This article originally appeared on Israel Hayom. Photo credit: Louis Constant Dui
(15) HOWARD GOODMAN, May 31, 2020 4:17 PM
Communism, Islam and Democracy
I follow Dr. David Wood (acts17apologetics), Dr. Carl Goldberg (The 'Logic' of Islam), The Apostate Prophet, Dr. Bill Warner, Brigitte Gabriel, Pamela Geller, have been to Israel, and wonder specifically and FACTUALLY your thoughts about about them. It is apparent from your bibliography you have done extensive research and conclude how you are still a muslim.
(14) Frani Pallas, May 20, 2020 8:07 PM
A breath of fresh air.......
I admire the Professor's work and wish her well as she is a great example for others. Knowledge is what is required to end bigotry and hatred. To teach and help others to understand the closeness of the 2 religions when taken in context and not singling out certain sentences or phrases and create a negative is the most unhelpful way and is the opposite of her work. G-D bless you professor, be well and stay safe to continue your great work.
(13) Heng Thye Chan, May 18, 2020 3:59 PM
Convergence of Muslim faith wrh Judaism
God is in control. One day hatred between the teo religions will be vangushed resulting in Peaceful & harmonious living between them . All glory to God !! Shalm
(12) Bradley Miller, May 17, 2020 1:52 PM
Important Bridges
Thank you for your efforts across time, yes, it is very important to tell this story and to create Bridges of understanding in order to stand together as humans exhibiting humanity. To avoid a reoccurring event. It has to be important to try and help your / our brethren in China and free those wrongfully impriisioned...together!
(11) Anonymous, May 16, 2020 6:39 PM
arlinels@yahoo.com
The Koran specifically refers to Jews and Christians as INFIDELS! It teaches it is OK to Kill an infidel! I have no interest in an active muslim writing a book and researching the holocaust! Frankly this is how jewish people end up getting hurt by extending kindness that is not appreciated. That's a lot like what happened in Germany! Let's wake up!
Rachel, May 17, 2020 4:35 AM
You’re taking it out of context
There are many verses in the Tanakh that have been misinterpreted by non-Jews over the centuries, and you are doing the same with the Quran. Please do not use Aish to spread hate. Terrorists and murderers should be judged for their crimes without regard to their claim that religion is a motivation or exonerates them.
Linda M, May 25, 2020 10:06 PM
I agree 100%
You're so right. We will never agin go like sheep to the slaughter. We will never again hold our hand out to shake the Han of somebody who maybe holinding a knife behind them with the other hand
(10) Martin Nelson, May 15, 2020 11:09 AM
Courage and commitment
‘This account was sent to me from the UK as a Jewish child in England during the war -With grandparents who immigrated from Poland , I am acutely aware of the remarkable courage and honesty she reveals-May more people stand up and never forget
(9) Mary-Ann Shearer, May 15, 2020 7:42 AM
the world needs to know this
Profound, heart warming, inspiring, the whole world needs to read and know this. What an amzing woman.
(8) Anonymous, May 14, 2020 11:56 PM
Very impressed with your work, I’m a holocaust survivor and it’s very painful when there still are people that say it never happened. I lost a very
Large number of family members. I volunteer at Washington holocaust
Museum, it’s difficult to share my story but hope it can leave an impact on students. I’m thankful that you’re sharing with your people
(7) Ra'anan, May 14, 2020 8:44 PM
Dr. Afridi, PASHTUNS share over 60 commonalities with JEWS, making them...
THE most likely candidates for being the 10 Lost Tribes exiled into Assyria & drawn deep into Afghanistan. Some researchers see the tribe of Afridi as the Lost Tribe of Efrayim. Pashtun elders STILL call themselves BANI ISRAEL. In Pashto a baby lamb is called PESAH! There are Pashtun amulets with the name "YSROEL" written inside of them. When we asked Pashtuns about this, they thought it was a name of an ANGEL!!! Pashtuns will execute adulterers without witnesses, AGAINST ISLAM! According to Islam, that is MURDER, yet Pashtuns choose Pashtunwali over Qoran. One of the main questions was were Pashtuns FORCED to convert to Islam or not persuaded. I asked asked famed "naked archaeologist" Simcha Jacobovici this question when I bumped into him in LA & he told me there's a type of tower built in the midst of Pashtun country (can't remember which city) that's indicative of Islamic victory, showing that Pashtuns were CONQUERED by foreign Muslims & FORCED to convert to Islam. Your feelings, such as why you brought your daughter to Dachau, are coming from somewhere else. They are coming from your NESHAMA. Check out Jacobovici's "Quest for the Lost (10) Tribes of Israel - Documentary [Full]" on youtube & see the evidence he brings on Pashtuns being...Israel, Jews.
Dvirah, May 15, 2020 12:14 PM
Anomaly
Killing without evidence of guilt is hardly proof of being Jewish; in Judaism also a court should not order an execution unless there are witnesses to the act. In fact, the Talmud calls a court that held an execution one in 7 years a "murderous court"; rather one should look for ways to constructively change behavior, not rush to kill.
That said, the other features mentioned may be cause for investigation, although they also reflect more a distortion of Judaism than a preserved tradition.
Ra'anan, May 17, 2020 2:24 PM
extrajudicial executions not brought as a proof of Jewishness, rather as a...
proof of their acceptance of Islam in a way that is so problematic that Islam would hold them to be MURDERERS. But for a few more commonalities, some of the Pashtun still have PAYOTH (sidelocks), they still do yibum (levirate marriage), they wear a garment EXACTLY like a talith, but w/o tzitziyoth (fringes), their homes have the same outline of Jewish homes in Israel from over 2000 years ago (one of our group compared them based on Israeli archaelogical digs), the names of their tribal groups are similar to the names of the 10 lost tribes & much, much, much more.
(6) Tony Rice, May 14, 2020 7:32 PM
From the beginning
As is so belatedly happening, Arab countries in the Middle East are beginning to have friendly relationships with Israel and turn to Israel for help, advice and protection BUT in my opinion that should have happened from the word go, especially with the recreation of the State of Israel. If only the Arabs had said, like King Abdullah, these Jews are our cousins and it would be to our best interests to work with them to build a highly civilised Middle East , use their acumen and jointly prosper. Just think of the lives and money that would have been saved.
(5) Syed Akhtar Alam, May 14, 2020 4:15 PM
Holocaust
In 2nd w/w Albania and Bosnia opened there border so that Jews can be saved from Holocaust even then Jews have forgot that and are anti muslim why?
(4) Lawrence Levy, May 14, 2020 2:38 PM
Take a closer look
I have no doubt to the sincerity of Professor Afridi and I applaud her efforts. They are needed and hopefully, with Hashem's help will make a difference. But please look up Surah 5:31 and read the quote in context. Islam has its own definition of who is human. Professor Afridi's picture of Islam, sincere as she may be, is a very liberal interpretation of what the Koran actually says. There may be millions of Muslims who believe and think as she does, and there may be millions of Muslims who are persecuted in non-Muslim countries (certainly no more so abused and persecuted in predominantly Muslim countries) but unfortunately, there are millions more who take the Koran as it is written. Reading the one quote she used in context bears out that Islam is not a peaceful religion, with all due respect to the professor.
(3) Elizabeth, May 14, 2020 2:25 PM
A much needed breath of fresh air
Sometimes as I deal with bitter anti-Semitism in my advocacy for Israel, is it easy to forget that not all Muslims are opposed to Israel or are anti-Semites. This article was a much needed check on my occasional tendency to generalize others in the same way I hate to be generalized. Thanks for your outstanding and important work.
(2) Reuven Frank, May 14, 2020 3:59 AM
One more step
Jewish tradition has it that this is the time of Islam to come to the fore
since it is closest to the Torah and HaShem as One G-d.
I see Professor Afridi's work and efforts as a step to bring that closer and to fruition.
It's so refreshing to see a positive view of Islam and
to know what I have always suspected; namely, that there is a VAST 'silent majority of followers of Islam that are supportive.
May we see the fruition of the Professor's efforts come about with the coming of the Messiah speedily and in our days!
(1) Laura, May 12, 2020 12:20 AM
I was really into reading this article until I came across this sentence, “Unfortunately, the Holocaust is not taught in Muslim communities”. That line just hit me like a ton of bricks.
Then it hit me Professor Afridi is going to change that! She is going to change the world by teaching others.