Islam Rescuers

I wish that people knew more about the Arabs' roles in the Holocaust, rather than blanketing the Shoah horrors as white-on-white, Christian-on-Jew atrocities of the European mainland.  Often we separate the World War from the Holocaust, but as we have explored in this class, the Holocaust did extend more globally than just Europe. Since colonialism had extended Europe's reach, the reach of Nazi terror extended beyond Europe.  Then, geography (access to the underbelly of Europe) played its role in making some of North Africa key ground for military tactics; as Jews already lived there, they were prime targets for laborers.  This terrain was mainly Arab territory, and so seeing how they responded to Hitler's war and the European brand of antisemitism says a lot.

Satloff names the fifth chapter  of Among the Righteous "The Arabs Watched Over the Jews" and in so doing, he makes a point. Yes, the Jewish people were given an advantage over the Muslims by the colonizing powers prior to Nazism.  But afterwards, when the tables were turned and Jews were at risk, there was the general refusal of Arabs to make things worth for their neighbors.  War isn't easy. There are shortages and diseases.  Being colonized and forced to labor for the colonizer is demeaning.  The climate was rough.  But still, we hear stories of Arab neighbors like David Guez describes, neighbors who help procure extra bread. We read about being welcomed into homes, brought food, and more.  I think about Jewish notion of Baruch ha Ba-im-- Blessed be the Arrivers-- and how it is a mitzvah to help guests.  The Albanian Muslims have Besa, which makes hospitality more than just a commandment but also a source of honor (at the blood level).  It seems that many Arabs of North Africa knew about hospitality, too.

We can't say it is all black and white; not all Arabs were virtuous.  However, even in the dark actions of some, there were light actions of others.  For example, I don't want to forget that the Arabs often had to be guards at the internment camps.  What is telling here is that again and again we hear about "humane acts" of the Arab guards, and the concern from up-aboves that they might "sympathise with prisoners." (103).

I want to learn more about El-Okbi:  a leader who prohibited his Muslim brothers from attacking Jews.  I am also impressed with how the Muslim clergy took care to warn the people not to profit from Jewish hardship. The lack of Muslim conservators in Vichy North Africa is astonishing!

The spectrum between black and white is not just shades of grey; it is a rainbow. In this rainbow there were great kindness in little moments.  Humanity, dignity, brotherhoods: this is what I learn from reading Althoff's work on the Arabs in Northern Africa.