UAE Makes Historic Decision To Teach Holocaust In Schools

KEY POINTS

The move comes after the signing of Abraham Accords between the UAE and Israel in 2020
The UAE's embassy in the U.S. commended the country for the decision
In 2021, the UAE hosted the first Holocaust Memorial Exhibition in Dubai

In a significant move, the UAE will soon teach about the Holocaust in history classes as part of the school curriculum.

The curriculum, which is already being developed by the Ministry of Education, will apply to students in both primary and secondary schools.

The move comes as part of the signining of the Abraham Accords between the UAE and Israel in 2020 - a deal that was brokered by former U.S. President Donald Trump with the aim of normalizing relations between the two nations.

"In the wake of the historic #AbrahamAccords, the UAE will now include the Holocaust in the curriculum for primary and secondary schools," wrote Dr. Ali Al Nuaimi, a member of the UAE Federal National Council and mediator of the Abraham Accords, referring to the deal that also paved the way for countries like Bahrain and Morocco to establish ties with Israel.

"Memorializing the victims of the Holocaust is crucial," he added.

While the Ministry of Education is yet to provide further details on the new curriculum, the UAE's embassy in the U.S. confirmed the announcement on Twitter.

Ambassador Deborah E. Lipstadt, the U.S. special envoy to monitor and fight antisemitism, lauded the move, tweeting, "Holocaust education is an imperative for humanity and too many countries, for too long, continue to downplay the Shoah for political reasons."

"I commend the UAE for this step and expect others to follow suit soon," she added.

Pleased to see this important step by the United Arab Emirates. Holocaust education is an imperative for humanity and too many countries, for too long, continue to downplay the Shoah for political reasons. I commend the UAE for this step and expect others to follow suit soon. https://t.co/2r8qGp3lSp
— Special Envoy Deborah Lipstadt (@StateSEAS) January 6, 2023

Tel Aviv- and London-based Institute for Monitoring Peace and Cultural Tolerance in School Education (IMPACT-se) has been advising the UAE authorities "on educational standards, including assessing course content," The Times Of Israel reported.

The introduction of the Holocaust in the UAE schools' curriculum is also in line with the country's efforts to position itself as a regional peacemaker. In June 2021, the country opened its doors to the first Holocaust memorial exhibition at the Crossroads of Civilizations Museum in Dubai. Known as the "We Remember" Exhibition, it showcased first-hand testimonies of Holocaust survivors.

UAE's Chief Rabbi Levi Duchman had regarded the exhibition as a key to helping establish the foundations of the Jewish Community in the country. "The fact this museum has put on a holocaust memorial display is something really important. It's a place where we can bring our children," he had told Euronews following the exhibition.