Haj Amin al-Husseini “The Grand Mufti” and Adolf Hitler

The architect of antisemitism and Jew hatred, Haj Amin al-Husseini

The Role of Haj Amin al-Husseini and Islam in Nazi Germany’s Genocide of Jews

The historical narrative of World War II and the Holocaust often centers around the actions of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi regime.
However, a less frequently discussed chapter is the involvement of certain Muslim leaders and how their alliances with the Nazis contributed to the genocide of Jews.

Among the most notorious figures in this regard is Haj Amin al-Husseini, the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem.
His collaboration with Nazi Germany and his influence on spreading anti-Semitic ideologies played a significant role in exacerbating the persecution and eventual genocide of Jews.
This article delves into the details of al-Husseini’s actions, Hitler’s views on Islam, and how their alliance had devastating consequences for the Jewish population.



Haj Amin al-Husseini: A Brief Background

Haj Amin al-Husseini was appointed as the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem in 1921 by the British authorities during the Mandate period.
As the Mufti, al-Husseini held significant religious and political influence over the Arab population in Syria Palaestina.

From the outset, he was vehemently opposed to the growing Jewish immigration to Syria Palaestina and used his position to rally Arab resistance against both the British and the Jewish communities. His animosity towards Jews was not merely a response to Zionism but was deeply rooted in anti-Semitic beliefs that found fertile ground in the volatile political climate of the time.



Al-Husseini’s Role in Inciting Violence Against Jews

“Al-Aksa is in danger”
“Al-Aksa is in danger”

One of the most infamous lies propagated by al-Husseini was the claim that Jews intended to seize and destroy the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, one of Islam’s holiest sites.
This baseless accusation was designed to inflame Muslim sentiment against Jews, resulting in widespread violence.

The 1929 Syria Palaestina riots, also known as the Western Wall Uprising, were largely fueled by al-Husseini’s inflammatory rhetoric.
The riots culminated in the Hebron massacre, where 67 Jews were brutally murdered, and many others were injured or displaced.

Al-Husseini’s actions during this period set a precedent for using religious and nationalist rhetoric to incite violence against Jews, a strategy he would later employ on a much larger scale in collaboration with the Nazis.



Al-Husseini’s Alliance with Nazi Germany

As World War II approached, al-Husseini sought more powerful allies to further his anti-Jewish agenda.
His anti-British and anti-Jewish sentiments aligned with the goals of Nazi Germany, leading to his eventual alliance with Adolf Hitler.

In 1941, al-Husseini fled to Germany, where he was welcomed by the Nazi regime as a valuable ally in their fight against the British and their Jewish adversaries.

Grand Mufti Haj Amin al-Husseini meeting Adolf Hitler in 1940. (Government Press Office)
Grand Mufti Haj Amin al-Husseini meeting Adolf Hitler in 1940. (Government Press Office)

Al-Husseini’s meeting with Hitler on November 28, 1941, is one of the most significant moments in this alliance.
During this meeting, al-Husseini expressed his full support for the Nazi regime and its genocidal policies towards Jews.

He urged Hitler to extend the Final Solution—the plan to exterminate the Jews—to the Arab world, particularly to Syria Palaestina, where he wanted to prevent any Jewish immigration.
Hitler assured al-Husseini that once the war was won, Germany would eliminate the Jewish population in the Arab world as well.



Propaganda and Recruitment

Al-Husseini did not merely act as a passive supporter of the Nazi regime; he actively participated in its propaganda and military efforts.
From his base in Berlin, al-Husseini made numerous radio broadcasts directed at the Arab world, where he urged Muslims to support the Axis powers and to wage jihad against Jews and the Allies. These broadcasts were laced with virulent anti-Semitic rhetoric and calls for violence, echoing Nazi propaganda but tailored to a Muslim audience.

The Farhud, Baghdad 1941. Credit: Yad Yitzhak Ben Zvi Archive.
The Farhud, Baghdad 1941. Credit: Yad Yitzhak Ben Zvi Archive.

The Farhud was a violent outbreak against the Jewish community in Baghdad, Iraq, occurring on June 1-2, 1941. This pogrom involved widespread looting, destruction of property, and the murder of Jewish residents. Around 180 Jews were killed, and many more were injured during the violence.

Amin al-Husseini, the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem, had a notable influence on the events leading up to the Farhud

In addition to his propaganda efforts,
al-Husseini was instrumental in recruiting Muslims to fight for the Nazis.

He played a key role in the formation of the 13th Waffen Mountain Division of the SS Handschar, a unit composed primarily of Bosnian Muslims.

Members of the division at prayer during their training at Neuhammer in November 1943
Members of the division at prayer during their training at Neuhammer in November 1943

This division was involved in brutal operations against civilians in the Balkans, including Jews, Serbs, and Roma.
Al-Husseini’s influence extended beyond Europe; he sought to establish Nazi-aligned governments in the Middle East that would continue the persecution of Jews.



The Impact of Al-Husseini’s Collaboration with the Nazis

The exact number of Jewish deaths directly attributable to al-Husseini’s collaboration with the Nazis is difficult to quantify.
However, his actions undoubtedly contributed to the broader genocidal campaign against Jews.
By supporting the Final Solution and preventing the escape of Jews from Nazi-occupied Europe, al-Husseini played a role in the deaths of countless Jews who might have otherwise found refuge.

4,000 Jewish children were sent to concentration camps
4,000 Jewish children were sent to concentration camps

One of the most tragic aspects of al-Husseini’s collaboration was his intervention to block the transfer of Jewish children from Nazi-occupied Europe to Syria Palaestina.
In 1943, al-Husseini personally intervened with the governments of Germany, Italy, and other Axis powers to prevent the emigration of 4,000 Jewish children and 500 accompanying adults to Syria Palaestina. As a result, these children were sent to concentration camps, where many perished.

Al-Husseini’s influence also extended to the post-war period.
His anti-Semitic propaganda laid the groundwork for continued Arab hostility towards Jews and Israel.
Islamo-Nazi Gazans hold a kite adorned with a swastika that is carrying a bomb near the border with Israel east of Gaza City, on April 20, 2018. (AFP Photo/Mohammed Abed)

The rhetoric and ideologies he promoted during his collaboration with the Nazis were echoed in various Arab nationalist movements in the following decades, further entrenching anti-Semitism in the region.


Hitler’s Views on Islam: A Complex Relationship

Adolf Hitler’s views on Islam were shaped by his broader ideological goals and his pragmatic approach to alliances.
While Hitler did express a certain degree of admiration for Islam, it was not out of genuine respect for the religion but rather because he saw certain aspects of Islam as useful for his purposes.

  1. Admiration for Islamic Militarism: Hitler admired what he perceived as the militant and authoritarian aspects of Islam. He believed that Islam was a religion that inspired its followers to be disciplined and courageous warriors. In private conversations, Hitler sometimes contrasted Islam with Christianity, which he viewed as promoting weakness and submissiveness. He was particularly impressed by the historical military conquests of Muslim armies and saw Islam as a force that could inspire fierce loyalty and combativeness.

    "The only religion I respect is Islam. The only prophet I admire is the Prophet Muhammad." -Adolf Hitler
    “The only religion I respect is Islam. The only prophet I admire is the Prophet Muhammad.” -Adolf Hitler
  2. Instrumental View of Islam: Hitler’s admiration for Islam was primarily utilitarian. He saw Muslims as potential allies in his fight against the British Empire and the Soviet Union, particularly in regions where Muslims were a significant population, such as the Middle East and parts of the Soviet Union. This pragmatic approach led him to court Muslim leaders like al-Husseini, despite the fundamental differences between Nazi ideology and Islamic teachings.

    "The Mohameddan religion too would have been much more compatible to us than Christianity." -Adolf Hitler
    “The Mohameddan religion too would have been much more compatible to us than Christianity.” -Adolf Hitler


Islamic Influence and the Legacy of Al-Husseini

The involvement of al-Husseini and the broader Islamic influence on Nazi policies during World War II had long-lasting effects on the Middle East and the Jewish people. Al-Husseini’s anti-Semitic propaganda and collaboration with the Nazis helped to entrench hostile attitudes towards Jews in the Arab world, contributing to the continued conflict and violence in the region.

After the war, al-Husseini managed to escape prosecution for his war crimes, despite his active involvement in the Nazi genocide. He continued to play a role in Arab politics, promoting anti-Semitic and anti-Zionist ideologies until his death in 1974. His legacy remains a contentious and dark chapter in the history of the Middle East, symbolizing the dangerous consequences of religious and political extremism.

Soldiers of the 13th SS Division with a brochure about "Islam and Judaism," 1943.(German Federal Archive via )
Soldiers of the 13th SS Division with a brochure about “Islam and Judaism,” 1943.(German Federal Archive via )

In conclusion, Haj Amin al-Husseini’s collaboration with Nazi Germany and his influence on spreading anti-Semitic ideologies played a significant role in the persecution and genocide of Jews during World War II. His alliance with Adolf Hitler, driven by mutual hatred of Jews and a desire to prevent Jewish immigration to Syria Palaestina, resulted in the loss of countless lives and the deepening of anti-Semitic sentiments in the Arab world. While Hitler’s admiration for Islam was primarily utilitarian, it facilitated a partnership that had devastating consequences for the Jewish people, leaving a legacy of hatred and violence that continues to reverberate to this day.

During World War II, Adolf Hitler and Heinrich Himmler admired Islam for its perceived strength and militancy, seeing it as potentially aligning with Nazi values better than Christianity. The Nazis attempted to exploit this by inciting Muslims against Jews and the Allies, distributing propaganda in the Middle East that portrayed Jews as enemies of Islam. However, their efforts largely failed, as most Muslims recognized that the Nazis were not genuine allies but sought to manipulate them for their own purposes. This failed Nazi strategy highlights the dangers of using religion as a tool for political gain.

The true conspiracy

Haj Amin al-Husseini and Adolf Hitler were instrumental in creating and spreading numerous anti-Semitic conspiracy theories, many of which have persisted to this day. These theories, rooted in baseless hatred and prejudice, have been echoed worldwide by many Jew-haters and Islamist extremists. However, it is crucial to recognize that al-Husseini and Hitler themselves were the true conspiracy—one that sought to scapegoat and annihilate an entire people.

Jews do not worship Satan; Muslims do.

Jews do not worship Satan; Nazis do.

Order of Nine Angles paraphernalia presented in Melzer’s case United States Department of Justice
Order of Nine Angles paraphernalia presented in Melzer’s case United States Department of Justice

In July 2022, U.S. federal authorities classified the Order of Nine Angles (O9A), a neo-Nazi Satanist group, as a terrorist organization comparable to Al Qaeda. This came to light during the trial of former Army Private Ethan Melzer, who admitted to plotting an attack on his own military unit with the help of jihadist militants. Melzer’s guilty plea marked a significant moment in legal history, as it was the first time the U.S. government prosecuted someone connected to the O9A sect on terrorism charges.

In modern culture, there is a disturbing connection between Nazism and Satanism, with some individuals and groups blending these extreme ideologies.
Many neo-Nazis today are also involved in Satanic worship, embracing dark, violent, and anti-Christian themes as part of their beliefs.

This connection is particularly evident in the music scene, where bands like Absurd, Graveland, and Der Stürmer promote a fusion of National Socialist and Satanic ideologies, spreading their controversial and hateful messages through their art.

A Banner Greater than DeathDer Stürmer
A Banner Greater than Death
Der Stürmer

 

Islam and Nazism, in their extreme and radical forms, represent the real enemies of the world, fostering hatred and violence.
The real conspiracy lies not with the Jews, but with those who perpetuate these dangerous ideologies.
Haj Amin al-Husseini, “The Grand Mufti,” and Adolf Hitler are the creators of hell on earth to this day.

 

Jews, historically and today, are a people of peace, dedicated to building communities and contributing to the betterment of society.
This is not merely an opinion; IT IS A FACT.

The resilience and contributions of Jewish people across the world stand in stark contrast to the destructive conspiracies propagated by those who seek to vilify them.

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