Muslim world

Russia’s fanning of anti-Israeli sentiment takes dark detour into Holocaust denialism

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, February 8, 2024

The war in Gaza isn’t only challenging the geopolitics of the Middle East: It is also complicating matters in Ukraine, as Russia seeks to capitalize on growing anti-Israeli sentiment in the Global South.

Key Points: 
  • The war in Gaza isn’t only challenging the geopolitics of the Middle East: It is also complicating matters in Ukraine, as Russia seeks to capitalize on growing anti-Israeli sentiment in the Global South.
  • Russia was slow to condemn the Oct. 7 attack in Israel and has hosted a succession of Hamas delegations in Moscow.
  • As an expert on modern Russia, I see deeper dynamics at work.

‘A century of antisemitism’

  • The Gaza war erupted at a crucial moment in the conflict in Ukraine.
  • Ukraine’s counteroffensive in the fall of 2022 had stalled, while Republicans in the U.S. Congress blocked the Biden administration’s efforts to send more aid to Ukraine.
  • At no point during her lengthy remarks, which ran to 1,500 words, did Zakharova mention that Jews had been among Hitler’s victims.
  • The omission led to criticism that Russia is deliberately downplaying if not denying the Jewish Holocaust.

Weaponizing hate

  • This is not the first time that the Russian foreign ministry has opened itself to accusations of antisemitism.
  • (That Zelensky is Jewish) means absolutely nothing.
  • And Lavrov soon returned to the theme of equating the actions of perceived enemies with those of Nazis.


This rising tide of state propaganda spilled over into some actual acts of mob antisemitism. In October 2023, at an airport in Dagestan, a Muslim-majority province in southern Russia, a a crowd hunted for Jewish refugees after a flight landed from Israel. Moscow has been accused of doing little to rein in such manifestations of antisemitism.

Distorting history

  • Zakharova’s remarks can be seen as a continuation of the Soviet tradition of Holocaust denial.
  • As the Soviet Union drew into closer alliance with the Arab world in the 1960s, the Soviet Union became increasingly hostile to U.S.-backed Israel.
  • For example, Moscow was a sponsor of the controversial United Nations Resolution 3379, which denounced Zionism as a form of racism.
  • The resolution, seen by critics as fueling antisemitism, passed the U.N. General Assembly in 1975 but was revoked in 1991.

Putin’s flirtation with antisemitism

  • During the first years of Vladimir Putin’s presidency, he had a very positive attitude toward Israel.
  • In 2005, he was the first Russian leader to visit Israel.
  • However, after 2021, as Russian officials started making absurd claims about neo-Nazis being in power in Kyiv, the relationship with Israel cooled.

Putin’s ploy may backfire

  • Russia’s ploy to link the wars in Gaza and Ukraine may win it a few more friends in the Global South.
  • But it risks alienating influential players such as India, which under Narendra Modi has become increasingly pro-Israel.
  • The strikes by Houthi militants on ships in the Red Sea are of concern to India and others who see their international trade disrupted.


Peter Rutland does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

Islam and the Islamic World Encyclopaedia 2023 Featuring Eminent Scholars In Anthropology, Women's Studies, Economics, History, Law, Literature, Political Science, Religion, & Sociology - ResearchAndMarkets.com

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, March 22, 2023

The "Encyclopedia of Islam and the Islamic World - 1st Edition" directory has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

Key Points: 
  • The "Encyclopedia of Islam and the Islamic World - 1st Edition" directory has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.
  • Never before has the need for accurate, balanced, in-depth information on Islam been greater.
  • In Encyclopaedia of Islam and the Islamic World experts from around the world - eminent scholars in anthropology, economics, history, law, literature, political science, religion, sociology, and women's studies - examine all aspects of one of the world's three great religions and its peoples.
  • Short definitions, biographies, and essays examine the interconnectivity of the social, economic, political, and religious institutions
    Fully cross-referenced to help explore related topics.

Qatar and Indonesia to Join in Yearlong Creative Exchange in 2023 through Qatar Museums' Years of Culture Initiative

Retrieved on: 
Monday, March 13, 2023

DOHA, Qatar, March 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Qatar Museums (QM) today announced the program for the Qatar-Indonesia 2023 Year of Culture, which will feature a host of performances, exhibitions, sporting and culinary events, photography projects, residency and volunteer programs, and more. Inaugurated in 2012 by QM Chairperson Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Years of Culture initiative is an annual bilateral exchange that deepens the understanding between Qatar and another nation and its people through a year of cultural programming.

Key Points: 
  • We look forward to an exciting year of cultural exchanges, in which we both continue to develop our burgeoning creative and cultural industries."
  • His Excellency Indonesian Ambassador to Qatar Ridwan Hassan said, "Indonesia and Qatar have enjoyed excellent relations based on common faith and mutual interests.
  • Indonesia welcomes the opportunity to celebrate our robust partnership with Qatar through the Qatar-Indonesia 2023 Year of Culture."
  • An exhibition of photographs by the participants will be presented in Qatar and Indonesia later in the year.

Qatar and Indonesia to Join in Yearlong Creative Exchange in 2023 through Qatar Museums' Years of Culture Initiative

Retrieved on: 
Monday, March 13, 2023

DOHA, Qatar, March 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Qatar Museums (QM) today announced the program for the Qatar-Indonesia 2023 Year of Culture, which will feature a host of performances, exhibitions, sporting and culinary events, photography projects, residency and volunteer programs, and more. Inaugurated in 2012 by QM Chairperson Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Years of Culture initiative is an annual bilateral exchange that deepens the understanding between Qatar and another nation and its people through a year of cultural programming.

Key Points: 
  • We look forward to an exciting year of cultural exchanges, in which we both continue to develop our burgeoning creative and cultural industries."
  • His Excellency Indonesian Ambassador to Qatar Ridwan Hassan said, "Indonesia and Qatar have enjoyed excellent relations based on common faith and mutual interests.
  • Indonesia welcomes the opportunity to celebrate our robust partnership with Qatar through the Qatar-Indonesia 2023 Year of Culture."
  • An exhibition of photographs by the participants will be presented in Qatar and Indonesia later in the year.

Open Doors Founder and Famed Bible Smuggler "Brother Andrew" Dies at Age 94

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, September 28, 2022

SANTA ANA, Calif. , Sept. 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Anne Van der Bijl, the founder of international nonprofit Open Doors, and known around the world as "Brother Andrew," died yesterday at the age of 94 at his home in the Netherlands, according to a family spokesperson.

Key Points: 
  • Brother Andrew was the founder of Open Doors, the oldest worldwide ministry to persecuted Christians.
  • The Bible smuggling reached an apex in June 1981 when an Open Doors crew nosed a custom-built barge onto the China coastline under the cover of darkness.
  • "Our very mission is called 'Open Doors' because we believe that all doors are open, anytime and anywhere," Brother Andrew often explained.
  • Open Doors publishes theWorld Watch List, an annual report on the 50 countries where it is most difficult to live as a Christian.

Qatar America Institute for Culture fall schedule of programs offers a new take on sustainability in the arts

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, September 22, 2022

WASHINGTON, Sept. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Qatar America Institute for Culture (QAIC) is pleased to present its fall schedule of programs emphasizing the relationship between QAIC's mission to cultivate artistic expression and cultural dialogue from the United States, Qatar and the broader Arab and Islamic worlds with today's most pressing issues. Organized in collaboration with Qatari and U.S.- based cultural partners, including the Doha Film Institute (DFI), QAIC's fall programs and exhibitions engage climate change and sustainability in the arts through film, olfactory art, and photography and culminate in a weekend-long arts summit with related panels, film screenings, and other activities.

Key Points: 
  • Sustainability-focused programming kicked off on August 23, 2022, with the opening reception of the third annual FOCI photography program exhibition.
  • This year's theme and exhibition opened in conjunction with World Water Week drawing attention to water scarcity and access.
  • "Here at QAIC, our IMPART Summit is the culmination of a year-long focus on sustainability through the arts."
  • To schedule a visit or to view the full schedule of upcoming programs, visit qataramerica.org .

Islamic World of Educational Institutions 2022: Profiles of 5,000 Academic Institutions and Over 30,000 Staff - ResearchAndMarkets.com

Retrieved on: 
Friday, July 29, 2022

The "The Islamic World of Education 2022" directory has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

Key Points: 
  • The "The Islamic World of Education 2022" directory has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.
  • Profiling some 5,000 academic institutions and over 30,000 staff and officials, this highly esteemed work covers the whole of the higher education and learning spectrum throughout the Islamic World.
  • The Islamic World of Education has become established as one of the leading reference works on Islamic higher education.
  • Meticulously updated to the highest editorial standards, entries are sourced from the organizations themselves to ensure accurate and reliable information.

Directory of Libraries of the Islamic World 2022 - ResearchAndMarkets.com

Retrieved on: 
Friday, July 29, 2022

The "Directory of Libraries of the Islamic World 2022" directory has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

Key Points: 
  • The "Directory of Libraries of the Islamic World 2022" directory has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.
  • This new edition of The Directory of Libraries of the Islamic World provide essential details on all libraries in the islamic countries of Africa, the Middle East, Central and South Asia, and South East Asia including universities, public and special libraries and including the libraries of institutes and research centres.
  • The Directory of Libraries of the Islamic World will be of special interest to public and academic libraries, international organisations, embassies, businesses, the media, scientific and professional bodies and anyone with an interest in libraries throughout the Islamic world.
  • Provides extensive details on libraries of universities, public and special libraries and includes the libraries of attached institutes and research centres throughout the Islamic World.

International March of the Living announces participation of official UAE Delegation and launches first Holocaust Education and Remembrance Chapter in the Gulf

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, April 14, 2022

JERUSALEM, April 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- For the first time in its three-decade history, the Holocaust remembrance and education organization, the International March of the Living, will include the participation an official delegation of the United Arab Emirates. The historic delegation will be led by H.E. Ahmed Obaid Al Mansoori, together with entrepreneur and philanthropist Eitan Neishlos, the newly appointed Founder and Ambassador of International March of the Living in the Gulf states.

Key Points: 
  • Torch of Remembrance to be lit at Auschwitz-Birkenau by Eitan Neishlos, Founder of International March of the Living UAE Chapter, together with H.E.
  • JERUSALEM, April 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ --For the first time in its three-decade history, the Holocaust remembrance and education organization, the International March of the Living, will include the participation an official delegation of the United Arab Emirates.
  • Ahmed Obaid Al Mansoori, together with entrepreneur and philanthropist Eitan Neishlos, the newly appointed Founder and Ambassador of International March of the Living in the Gulf states.
  • The participation of an official delegation from the UAE, and the establishment of our presence in the region is an important first steps to further the future of Holocaust memory and education."

International March of the Living announces participation of official UAE Delegation and launches first Holocaust Education and Remembrance Chapter in the Gulf

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, April 14, 2022

JERUSALEM, April 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- For the first time in its three-decade history, the Holocaust remembrance and education organization, the International March of the Living, will include the participation an official delegation of the United Arab Emirates. The historic delegation will be led by H.E. Ahmed Obaid Al Mansoori, together with entrepreneur and philanthropist Eitan Neishlos, the newly appointed Founder and Ambassador of International March of the Living in the Gulf states.

Key Points: 
  • Torch of Remembrance to be lit at Auschwitz-Birkenau by Eitan Neishlos, Founder of International March of the Living UAE Chapter, together with H.E.
  • JERUSALEM, April 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ --For the first time in its three-decade history, the Holocaust remembrance and education organization, the International March of the Living, will include the participation an official delegation of the United Arab Emirates.
  • Ahmed Obaid Al Mansoori, together with entrepreneur and philanthropist Eitan Neishlos, the newly appointed Founder and Ambassador of International March of the Living in the Gulf states.
  • The participation of an official delegation from the UAE, and the establishment of our presence in the region is an important first steps to further the future of Holocaust memory and education."