King Mohammed VI of Morocco has ordered to incorporate Holocaust studies into the country’s education system, Moroccan news website Le Desk reported on Wednesday.
The reports, which quickly went viral, said that the decision was made while the monarch was attending the 73rd U.N. General Assembly in New York last week, adding that the king sent word to Education Minister Said Amzazi, saying Holocaust studies must be included in the country’s high school curriculum.
“The history we teach our children must include a pluralistic variety of opinions and stories. It must present humanity’s greatest moments, as well as its darkest moments,” the report quoted a statement by the king.
“Education has the power to fight against discrimination and racism, as well as the ugly phenomenon of anti-Semitism,” he said.
Israel’s Deputy Minister for Diplomacy, Michael Oren, tweeted, “Morocco’s King Muhammad V sent a profound moral message to the world. Anti Semitism & Holocaust denial is rising in the West, the leader of a proud Arab country is introducing Holocaust education into Moroccan schools with the goal of fighting anti-Semitism. There is indeed hope.
Morocco’s King Muhammad V sent a profound moral message to the world. Anti Semitism & Holocaust denial is rising in the West, the leader of a proud Arab country is introducing Holocaust education into Moroccan schools with the goal of fighting anti-Semitism. There is indeed hope.
— Michael Oren (@DrMichaelOren) October 5, 2018
Audrey Azoulay, the Jewish director-general of UNESCO and daughter of André Azoulay, an adviser to the king, praised the monarch’s decision, writing on her Twitter page that “the king has presented anti-Semitism as the absolute opposite of freedom of expression and coexistence.” She said he called the war against anti-Semitism a “war of education and culture.”
Morocco has diplomatic relations with Israel and the government of King Mohammed VI, like his father, Mohammed V, is known for his compassionate attitude toward Jews.
