The exhibit took place at the Lakewood Ohio Public Library.
JOHN BENSON / COURTESY
Mary Haley, Asst. Features Editor/Marketing Chair
Manhattan University’s Mehnaz Afridi, Ph.D., professor of religious studies and philosophy, was a featured speaker at the Lakewood Public Library in Ohio on Jan. 25 for their photo exhibition and program discussing the Holocaust. Officially titled “Besa: Muslims Who Saved Jews During the Holocaust,” the program will run through March 31, with a goal to foster a conversation about peace, community and resilience.
Afridi introduced the Besa documentary during the event, followed by a Q&A session where she reflected on her book, “Shoah Through Muslim Eyes,” and broader research into Muslim rescue efforts during the Holocaust. Her work, which highlights stories of Muslim communities risking their lives to save Jews, has been internationally recognized for its unique approach to bridging understanding between Jewish and Muslim communities.
According to manhattan.edu, “Afridi also is a U.S. State Department Member on the delegation for the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance and serves as a member of the Committee of Ethics, Religion, and the Holocaust at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C.”
“It’s important to humanize each other,” Afridi said. “This exhibit shows the courage of those who risked their lives to hide Jews and protect them, reminding us of the humanity that can shine even in the darkest times.”
Besa, as explained by cleveland.com, is, “the code of honor shared by Albanians of all faiths, instructs that a stranger in need who knocks on your door is your brother and that you shall save and protect him even at the risk of your own life.”
As director of the Holocaust, Genocide and Interfaith (HGI) Center at Manhattan University, the remembrance and discussion of the Holocaust and the people who helped save Jews is especially important to Afridi. Afridi tries to extend these conversations into the classes she teaches, which include the Holocaust, genocide and Islam courses, as well as Muslims in America and religion and the Holocaust.
“Most of the students that take my classes know that is my message,” Afridi said. “I’m trying to introduce people who are peacemakers. There are still problems of anti-semitism, but also Islamophobia and racism. This is sort of like, how to talk about these issues rather than blame people for them.”
In 2015, the HGI center garnered significant attention with a visit from the then-president of Albania, Bujar Nishani. The president’s visit celebrated the university’s commitment to fostering peace and understanding.
“He was impressed that a Muslim professor running a Holocaust center would organize such an exhibit,” Afridi said. “It was a proud moment for the university, reflecting our Lasallian mission of community building and peacemaking.”
As the exhibit at the Lakewood Ohio Public Library continues into the spring, additional speakers will continue the conversation about history, humanity, and resilience. Afridi emphasized the importance of this initiative, not only for preserving the memory of courageous acts during the Holocaust but also for fostering meaningful dialogue in today’s world.
“The Holocaust was a catastrophe for Jews,” Afridi said. “But it also teaches us that we must find ways to live together and understand each other, whether it’s addressing antisemitism, Islamophobia, or racism. These events are a way to move forward, even in divisive times.”
Afridi’s work with the HGI center extends beyond the Holocaust, encompassing events like the Armenian genocide and current issues surrounding extremism. Later this month, MU is hosting a speaker on Feb. 27 to discuss extremism both domestically and globally.