Bahrain’s plurality hailed as tribute paid to Holocaust victims

Staff Reporter

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain derives its strength from its diversity, said Ambassador Shaikha Ayesha Ahmed Saqer Al Khalifa, Acting Chief of Organisations at the Foreign Affairs Ministry, highlighting the principle that “all humans are born equal in dignity and rights”.

Shaikha Ayesha was speaking at a virtual event held to mark the International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust. The event was organised by the United Nations Bahrain office along with Israel and German Embassies.

“The Kingdom has always stood against violence based on ethnic origin, religion or race. We have a heritage, which firmly believes that all humans are born equal in dignity and rights. Our Constitution asserts that all people are equal in human dignity and there should be no discrimination.”

Shaikha Ayesha said Bahrainis draw their values of tolerance from the national heritage. “The Kingdom’s laws affirm religious diversity while protecting religious pluralism. We must aim to create a more peaceful world while ensuring that such crimes against humanity will never happen.”

Mohamed El Zarkani, United Nations Resident Coordinator, said the resolution passed by the United Nations in 2005 was a sharp reminder of the atrocities committed by the Nazi regime, whose victims include six million Jews.

“A third of Jewish population perished during the time and among the victims were 1.5 million children.” He said remembering the past is crucial in safeguarding the future. “The UN is on the frontline to contain xenophobia, racism, anti-Semitism and other threats to peace.

The world governments and media must play an important role in thwarting these threats. Let’s pledge to be vigilant against human rights violations.” Eitan Nae’h, Israeli Ambassador to Bahrain, said he himself is a second-generation Holocaust survivor.

“It is the duty of all to ensure that such evils will never happen. We should not allow history to be rewritten.” Kei Boeckmann, German Ambassador to Bahrain, said ‘Never Again’ is now the heart of German national identity.

“The German government is committed to tackle all discriminatory acts. We also work with all international bodies including the UN to promote diversity. The team at German Embassy Bahrain is privileged to be part of this effort.”

The event also saw Holocaust survivor Arnold Clevs, 89, describe the tyranny he faced as a child under the Nazi regime. Arnold was born and raised in 1933 in Kovno, Lithuania. After the Nazi occupation, Arnold and his family were moved into the Kovno Ghetto.

He spent much of his time hiding from Nazi soldiers until 1943, when he, his parents and sister were taken to a labour camp outside the city. The men and women were divided, and the family was torn apart.

At one point during his time in the camp, Nazi troops along with their Lithuanian collaborators came to seize children to be deported and murdered. But Arnold’s father had hidden him in the roof and he survived.

However, Arnold was later held captive by the guards. Arnold then endured a death march for days through the snow of Eastern Europe without food or water, witnessing the deaths of friends from exposure and Nazi guards and even fatalities from allied air raids.

He was later liberated by the US Army. “I was eight when the war broke out and was 12 when liberated. I thank the Government of Bahrain for organising the event.”