“Even up to the very end, many Jews and Arabs in Iraq refused to be enemies and lived and worked side by side. Animosity was largely imported from outside and incitement used as a tool for political goals. Unfortunately, we see many similar worrying signs in the violence in Israel, the US and Europe in recent days,“ said David D.Dangoor.
Eighty years ago, the Farhud pogrom took place in Baghdad and Basra which ended the oldest Jewish Diaspora community in history, the Iraqi Jewish community.
In memorial to the 180 Jews who were murdered on June 1st and 2nd 1941, and the community that was lost, 12,000 people from around the world have lit a virtual candle in their memory.
In the weeks leading up to the 80th anniversary, the ‘Remember the Farhud’ website was created to spread awareness about this important historic event and pay tribute to the Jews who were murdered, the hundreds injured, and the homes and synagogues burned and looted.
The commemoration was the initiative of David A. Dangoor, a businessman and philanthropist who grew up in the Jewish community of Baghdad and now resides in the UK.
Due to recents events in Israel and Jewish communities around the world, Dangoor believes that the message of the Farhud is especially important.
“The Farhud was a tragic event that sounded the death knell for the oldest Jewish Diaspora community, but sadly is not well known around the world,” he said.
“It is vital that the Jewish world and beyond commemorate the Farhud to understand better how to deal with hate, incitement and violence, and prevent such events from happening in the present and future.”
He continued, “Even up to the very end, many Jews and Arabs in Iraq refused to be enemies and lived and worked side by side. Animosity was largely imported from outside and incitement used as a tool for political goals. Unfortunately, we see many similar worrying signs in the violence in Israel, the US and Europe in recent days. “
Those who wish to light a virtual candle and download the Facebook frame can visit the Remember the Farhud website. https://www.remember-farhud.com/