Why Should We Remember the Holocaust?

A few weeks ago I received an email claiming that “This week, the UK removed The Holocaust from its school curriculum because it 'offended' the Muslim population which claims it never occurred”. It contained pictures of Holocaust death camps and warned that “This is a frightening portent of the fear that is gripping the world and how easily each country is giving in to it”. And, as a memorial to those who died, who must not be forgotten, it requested that I forward the email to as many as possible.

Now, I believe the Holocaust took place pretty much as we’ve been told. I am sympathetic to the cause of remembering it, and I believe we need to learn the great lessons the Holocaust has to teach us. But I am not sympathetic to the cause of this email which has been circulating for many years at the expense of the Muslim community. The claim that the teaching of the Holocaust is banned in the UK, because of the Muslims or for any other reason, is factually untrue. If you google around a bit you will find that Holocaust teaching is compulsory in UK schools.

This email is actually a cynical attempt to stir up fear and resentment toward Muslims. And, if we remember the Holocaust, we should also remember that this is the sort of misinformation Hitler used to foster fear and hatred of the Jews. It is precisely this kind of bigotry and manipulation of public sentiment that the memory of the Holocaust should cause us to resist. So, if you receive this email, or any like it, Please don't forward to anyone without checking it out. People are still getting hurt.