Simon Wiesenthal Center Condemns Holocaust Denial by New York-Based Sheik

January 13, 2006

Simon Wiesenthal Center Condemns Holocaust Denial by New York-Based Sheik

The Simon Wiesenthal Center today condemned the remarks of Sheik Fadhel as Sahlani, the leader of one of New York’s largest mosques, who was quoted as saying that the number of Jews murdered in the Holocaust "has been exaggerated."  Mark Weitzman, Director of the Simon Wiesenthal Center's Task Force against Hate said, "Sheik al Sahlani's comments clearly reflect the influence of Iran's President Ahmadinejad who earlier denied the reality of the Holocaust. We call upon the United Nations General Assembly condemn Iran, which has flouted the U.N.'s resolution establishing Jan. 27 as an annual day of remembrance of the Holocaust, and that specifically condemned Holocaust denial. We especially look for those Muslim countries that supported the resolution to follow the lead of the majority of Muslim leaders in New York who have condemned Sheik al Sahlani's statement, and to join in repudiating these malicious and hateful sentiments."

The Simon Wiesenthal Center is an international human rights organization dedicated to preserving the memory of the Holocaust by fostering tolerance and understanding through community involvement, educational outreach and social action.  The Center confronts important contemporary issues including racism, anti-Semitism, terrorism and genocide and is accredited as an NGO at international agencies including the United Nations, UNESCO, and the Council of Europe.

For further information, please contact Mark Weitzman at 917/864-5133 or Sydney Pringle at 917/952-9862.