The Treatment of Muslims During World War II Under Nazi Regime

The treatment of Muslims during World War II under Nazi Germany was complex and varied, influenced by both ideological and practical considerations. Unlike their clear stance against Jews, Nazi theoretical views on both Christianity and Islam were muddled and unclear, with no definitive party line for either religion. However, in the context of the war, specific aspects of Nazi policy and actions towards Muslims in certain regions became evident.

Geographical Context

Significant populations of Muslims in Europe during World War II were found primarily in the Balkans and the Soviet Union. Muslim groups within the Soviet Union included various ethnicities such as Tatars, Kazakhs, Uzbeks, Azeris, Chechens, Ingush, Meskhetian Turks, Karachays, and Karapapaks. These groups faced different fates based on their locations and the policies of both the Nazis and the Soviets.

The Soviet Deportations

Certain Muslim groups, such as the Crimean Tatars, Chechens, Ingush, Meskhetian Turks, and Karachays, were deported to Central Asia by Stalin under the pretext of war preparedness. These deportations were a significant factor in determining their treatment during the war, as they were far from Nazi-occupied territories and thus out of the direct grasp of Nazi policies. This policy rendered their treatment by Nazi forces irrelevant as they were already displaced and isolated.

Circumcision and Identification

One of the more disturbing aspects of Nazi policies was the indiscriminate treatment of Soviet POWs. Many SOVs from traditionally Muslim cultures were captured and quickly treated as they were also circumcised, a characteristic attributed to both Muslims and Jews. The inability to differentiate between Jews and Muslims contributed to a grim fate for many of these soldiers, regardless of their ethnic background.

A specific effort to mobilize Muslim soldiers was undertaken by the Nazis. In the former Yugoslavia, tens of thousands of Muslims were recruited into the Wehrmacht and the SS. This recruitment included even the SS, which included the 13th SS Division, Handacr, with the spiritual leader being the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem, an outspoken and influential figure in Islamic areas.

Persecution and Conflict

The Nazis did treat Muslims with some level of tolerance, as evidenced by their inclusion in certain military units. However, the overall treatment of Muslims was influenced by both the realm of ideology and the practical necessity to combat the Soviet Union. The most prominent victims of Nazi persecution during World War II were the Jews, with their treatment including internment in concentration camps and other forms of extreme violence.

It is important to note that the most notorious of the persecution focused on the Jews, who were considered the foremost enemies of the Nazi regime. The ideological conflict between the Abrahamic religions, and the Christians' and Muslims' respective conflicts with the Jews, played a significant role. For instance, the Hakenkreuz (excluding the cross) symbol, used by the Nazis, had been utilized by Christian philosopher Martin Luther to signify opposition against Jews.

The role of the Grand Mufti of Palestine, Mohammed Amin al-Husseini, who was Hitler's expert on the "Jewish question" in the Middle East, played a crucial role in the persecution. His influence and ideology contributed significantly to the implementation and exacerbation of these policies.