Auction 68 - Jewish and Israeli History and Culture
Two "Unofficial" Photographs from the First, Secret Visit of Haj Amin al-Husseini to the Balkans – April 1943
Opening: $1,000
Unsold
Two photographs documenting the arrival of Haj Amin al-Husseini at the military airport in Banja Luka, before his first meeting with the Muslim volunteer unit to the German army. Banja Luka (Bosnia), [1943].
The photographs depict al-Husseini and another Muslim cleric crossing the airport in Banja Luka accompanied by military officers and officials. The photographs are captioned on verso in handwriting (German) and dated 1.4-18.4 (the year is not noted).
The photographs of the Mufti are accompanied by two photographs taken at another military airport – Sarajevo (captioned on verso in similar handwriting). Presumably, these are "unofficial" photographs taken by a pilot or mechanic of the German air force, who happened to be in the airport when the Mufti landed and decided to photograph him.
Muhammad Amin al-Husseini (1895-1974), more commonly known as Haj Amin al-Husseini, was a Muslim Arab leader during the British Mandate, who actively opposed Zionism and embraced anti-Semitic ideology. During the years 1921-1936, he served as the Mufti of Jerusalem. However, after the outbreak of the 1936-1939 Arab Revolt in Palestine (orchestrated in part by himself), he was forced to escape to Lebanon, from there to fascist Italy and eventually to Nazi Germany. His bonds with leaders of the Nazi party became stronger during his stay in Germany (he even met with Adolf Hitler several times) and in 1943, he assisted in recruiting Muslim fighters from the Balkans to the SS "Handschar" 13th Waffen Mountain Division.
Haj Amin al-Husseini's first visit to the Balkans took place during the months of March and April 1943 and was kept secret, away from the public eye. During the visit, al-Husseini met with local officers, representatives of the Muslim community and soldiers of the Muslim
volunteer unit. After his return to Berlin, he promised the leaders of the Nazi party to help recruit volunteers in return for an improvement in the conditions of the Muslim soldiers and the maintaining of the religious character of the unit. Several months later, al-Husseini again travelled to the Balkans, starting a campaign to recruit Muslim volunteers to the Nazi army.
4 photographs, approx. 6X9 cm. Good condition. Minor blemishes. Traces of glue on verso.
The photographs depict al-Husseini and another Muslim cleric crossing the airport in Banja Luka accompanied by military officers and officials. The photographs are captioned on verso in handwriting (German) and dated 1.4-18.4 (the year is not noted).
The photographs of the Mufti are accompanied by two photographs taken at another military airport – Sarajevo (captioned on verso in similar handwriting). Presumably, these are "unofficial" photographs taken by a pilot or mechanic of the German air force, who happened to be in the airport when the Mufti landed and decided to photograph him.
Muhammad Amin al-Husseini (1895-1974), more commonly known as Haj Amin al-Husseini, was a Muslim Arab leader during the British Mandate, who actively opposed Zionism and embraced anti-Semitic ideology. During the years 1921-1936, he served as the Mufti of Jerusalem. However, after the outbreak of the 1936-1939 Arab Revolt in Palestine (orchestrated in part by himself), he was forced to escape to Lebanon, from there to fascist Italy and eventually to Nazi Germany. His bonds with leaders of the Nazi party became stronger during his stay in Germany (he even met with Adolf Hitler several times) and in 1943, he assisted in recruiting Muslim fighters from the Balkans to the SS "Handschar" 13th Waffen Mountain Division.
Haj Amin al-Husseini's first visit to the Balkans took place during the months of March and April 1943 and was kept secret, away from the public eye. During the visit, al-Husseini met with local officers, representatives of the Muslim community and soldiers of the Muslim
volunteer unit. After his return to Berlin, he promised the leaders of the Nazi party to help recruit volunteers in return for an improvement in the conditions of the Muslim soldiers and the maintaining of the religious character of the unit. Several months later, al-Husseini again travelled to the Balkans, starting a campaign to recruit Muslim volunteers to the Nazi army.
4 photographs, approx. 6X9 cm. Good condition. Minor blemishes. Traces of glue on verso.
Antisemitism, Holocaust and She'erit HaPletah
Antisemitism, Holocaust and She'erit HaPletah