Earlier this week, the interfaith conflict-resolution organisation, Faith Matters, launched a booklet highlighting the overlooked actions of many Righteous Muslims who saved Jews in the Holocaust.
Termed "Righteous" by Yad Vashem, they gained nothing financially from their actions, yet they put themselves and their families at considerable risk by saving Jews and standing up against injustice and prejudice.
In today's world of throw-away phrases and cartoon caricatures by which our communities are depicted, the actions of these brave individuals are more important than ever. Their deeds highlight a common humanity shared by Islam and Judaism which, despite religious differences, should be celebrated.
Many of the cases listed in the booklet deal with Albanian Muslims and the code of Besa - "honour"- allied with a deep social conviction that Muslims should protect others' lives regardless of faith. Besa ensured that no Jews perished in Albania during the Holocaust.
A case in point is that of Destan Balla and his wife, Lime, who saved two Jewish brothers. During the Holy month of Ramadan in 1943, 17 Jews from Tirana escaped from the Germans into the village of Shengjerji, where the Ballas resided. The 17 were divided among the villagers, dressed as farmers, given food and sustenance, and sheltered from the Nazis for 15 months. Destan and Lime took in Solomon and Mordehaj Lazar. Then, in December 1944, the sheltered Jews left for Pristina and all contact was lost.
In 1990, Solomon and Mordehaj made contact with Lime Balla from Israel, thereby restoring the link between the two families after nearly half-a-century.
Khaled Abdulwahhab, the first Arab Muslim to be recognised as Righteous by Yad Vashem, saved the lives of the Boukris family.
Realising that one German soldier was contemplating the rape of the Boukris mother, Khaled plied him and his companions with alcohol and food in order that they would become so tired that they would leave the women alone. Then, when the Germans were asleep, Khaled managed to spirit away the Boukris family and a total of 24 Jews to his farm in Tlelsa in Tunisia.
As a British Muslim, I have been informed and moved by these stories of the rich history of Islamic honour and integrity and basic human kindness. They also demonstrate the often-overlooked link that exists between Muslims and Jews, reflected in both faiths' belief that the saving of one life is like the protection of all humanity.
What also inspires me about these stories is how forcefully they counteract the lazy and ignorant stereotyping of Jewish and Muslim communities today. This widespread and dangerous tendency fails to acknowledge the encouraging history of engagement, interaction and profound kindness between the two faiths.
The history of Jews and Muslims will always be intertwined and the inspiring examples to be found in the Faith Matters booklet confirm and reinforce that.
The stories of the Righteous Muslims can help us all to combat our prejudices, celebrate the courage of those who believed in doing the right thing, and avoid the all-too-easy trap of pigeon-holing communities or individuals.
