Turkey to mark holocaust remembrance day for first time

Turkey will officially commemorate International Holocaust Remembrance Day tomorrow for the first time at Istanbul's biggest synagogue, Neve Salom. International Holocaust Remembrance Day, the first global commemoration of the victims of the Holocaust, was first observed in 2006. "It is humanity's obligation to condemn the Holocaust, which aimed to completely destroy a people, to take measures to prevent future genocides, and to encourage efforts to educate new generations," said a statement yesterday from the office of Turkey's chief rabbi, on behalf of the Turkish-Jewish community. It added that every country worldwide has a duty to eliminate all types of racism and discrimination. The statement also cited how in 2005 President Abdullah Gul attended a ceremony in Auschwitz to mark the 60th anniversary of the liberation of the death camp and has issued statements marking Holocaust Remembrance Day every year since. Foreign Ministry officials will attend the ceremonies tomorrow. An exhibit marking the day will open before the ceremonies, and a documentary will be screened later. The opening speech will be delivered by Suzet Sidi, a Turkish-Jewish expert on the Holocaust. Chief Rabbi Rav Ishak Haleva and Istanbul Governor Avni Mutlu will then light a candle in memory of the victims of the Holocaust. Turkish-Jewish community leader Sami Herman will address the audience.